Belgian De Proef and American Bells Brewery collaborate on Brewmaster Series beer

January 22, 8:18 PMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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Dirk Naudts, brewmaster at De Proef, Belgium 

Earlier this month SBS-Imports   of Seattle announced that Bell's Brewery  of Kalamazoo, Michigan has been named as partner for 2009 De Proef Brewmaster's Collaboration Series.  The yet to be designed beer will be brewed in March at De Proef in Lochristi, Belgium and released to the USA market in September 2009. 
The initial beer in the series was Signature Ale - originally brewed in 2007 with
     Tomme Arthur of Port Brewing/Lost Abbey.  In 2008 Jason Perkins of Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, Maine collaborated on Les Deux Brasseurs. Here’s my taste review of the Allagash-De Proef beer:

     Pop. The cork slips out.   I am engulfed with the aroma of sweet pineapple and fresh cotton candy.  Profound golden haze supports the luscious head atop the beer.  A closer assessment of aroma reveals an extraordinary and complex spice, herb, fruit and earthy/horsey leather.  Sharp and refreshing hop bitterness is quickly unzipped at the seams.  Poetry is inspired.  I taste and immediately realize I am on an unchartered journey.   This beer assassinates all attempts at classification.  Live. Dance.  Play.  Sing.  Smile.  A beer that engages. 

     Bell's Production Manager, John Mallet is looking forward to this unique intercontinental beer project. "I have several family ties to the area which makes this invite to brew with Dirk Naudts at De Proef even more special."

For more information on Bell’s see my Examiner story: Bell's Brewery captures the thirst of midwest beer drinkers