23110 Mon Feb 24 18:15:33 -0800 2003 14 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 87138 I had lunch at A Cote in Oakland last week and had a wonderful Belgian ale called Troubadour. It went masterfully well with a small plate of well-seasoned pommes fritas (incidentally, French for French fries) and a skirt steak sandwich. It made me want to know where I could get more. I know Toronado in the city serves Belgian beers. Where else? Also, any ideas on where I can buy them for home consumption? Mon Feb 24 18:15:33 -0800 2003 0 theburritoboy 1 87144 Suppenkuche serves Belgian beers. There is a place on 16th an Guerrero which serves 50+ beers on tap. I cannot recall the name. Try Bevmo or cost plus for home imbibing... Sante, Laurie Mon Feb 24 18:47:20 -0800 2003 87138 0 Laurie Timms 2 87211 The place is called Jack's Elixir, but I can't comment about the quality of their brew selection, being an alcohol bantamweight. they do (or used to) have a juke box with some pretty good Heavy Metal selections though... Tue Feb 25 02:49:07 -0800 2003 87144 0 chibi 1 87145 My guess is that Frjtz must sell Belgian beer. They sell fries to got with it, too. Mon Feb 24 18:53:06 -0800 2003 87138 0 Paul H 1 87149 I believe the Cannery Wine Cellar still has the biggest selection of all kinds of imported beers, including Belgian ales. If you are in Sonoma, check the Sonoma Wine Exchange. They used to have an even bigger selection of Belgians, but I haven't been there in about five years. Mon Feb 24 19:10:46 -0800 2003 87138 0 Gary Soup 1 87150 Troubador is imported by B United Intl. Contact them at bunitedint@hotmail.com. Information on the beer at link below. Link: http://www.bunitedint.com/Products/troubadour.html Mon Feb 24 19:21:29 -0800 2003 87138 0 Jim Dorsch 1 87171 I was buying some single bottles of beer at Whole Foods last week. I was looking specifically for a lager and a stout, so I perused their entire selection. They don't have a huge selection but I think I saw at least 5 different varieties including some very interesting looking lambics. Mon Feb 24 20:54:55 -0800 2003 87138 0 Tida 1 87188 Cost Plus in Marin (Corte Madera right off 101 northbound) sold Belgian beers when I was last there -middle of last year. Good luck. Mon Feb 24 23:19:13 -0800 2003 87138 0 rcc 1 87205 It's "pommes frites". "Fritas" is spanish, as in "papas fritas" (incidentally, Spanish for French fries). Tue Feb 25 00:57:01 -0800 2003 87138 0 pedant 2 87272 vbg Tue Feb 25 18:31:19 -0800 2003 87205 0 theburritoboy 1 87215 A number of places in SF have Hoegaarden on tap, including the Mad Dog on the Haight. And if you like that style of Belgian white beers ("witbeer"), I highly recommend a French beer from the Picardie area (bordering Flanders), called Amadeus. BEverages and More carry it. It's the best beer I've ever had (of course, that's a very personal matter): a bit smoother than Hoegaarden, with vanilla aftertaste and a slight floral bouquet. Goes remarkably well with indian or thai curries, really delightful. Tue Feb 25 03:27:14 -0800 2003 87138 0 garçon 1 87217 The best place in SF to drink Belgian beers is easily the Toronado. No place else in the city comes close. They have a fairly considerable selection on TAP (including Chimay White) and an awesome selection of bottled beers, though they are mostly 750ml corked versions that are rather expensive, but worth it. Toronado also serves Belgian style ales brewed in honor of owner Dave by Anderson Valley Brewing; Brother Dave is a tripel, and so is the slightly sweeter and spicier Sister Jen (named after Dave's lady friend). Plump Jack in Noe Valley has a nice selection of well-stored Belgian Ales, and oddly enough, there is also a fine array at Cost Plus (?) in Fishermans Wharf. Also, be sure to avail yourself of the North American-made Belgian styles, which are getting really good these days. Those brewed by Vinnie Cirluzo at the Russian River Brewery (now out of business) were terrific. I am sure Vinnie is still brewing somewhere now. Also worth looking for is Pranqster from North Coast Brewing (Fort Bragg) and any of the Unibroue beers from Quebec. Plus -- check out the Dinner with the Brewmaster being held monthly at the Cathedral Hill Hotel on Van Ness. Chef Bruce Paton is both a master chef and a craft beer enthusiast, and pairs dishes with beers. I believe a Chimay (Belgian Trappist Ale) dinner is in the works for April. At $60 it is a bargain -- trust me. Also, be sure to read the Celebrator Beer News for local Bay Area beer information. Welcome to the world of Belgian beers. Belgium has more styles of beer than the rest of the world combined. You're in for a long, fun journey. Thanks for asking about one of my favorite subjects. Link: http://www.celebrator.com Tue Feb 25 06:11:59 -0800 2003 87138 0 Bryan Harrell 2 87218 I believe Victory from Downington, PA is distributed in CA. They make an excellent Tripel called Golden Monkey. It's a great deal in the 6pk, compared to prices of comparable Belgian beers in 750ml bottles. Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY produces three great beers—Ommegang, Hennepin and Rare Vos—in 750ml bottles and 12oz 4pks, also at good prices. Check out Victory at http://www.victorybeer.com and Brewery Ommegang at http://www.belgianexperts.com. Tue Feb 25 07:01:51 -0800 2003 87217 0 Jim Dorsch 3 87227 FYI Brewery Ommegang was recently bought by Belgium's Duvel Brewery. Now they're even more Belgian! I agree totally on the Toronado being the place in San Francisco for Belgian (and most other types of) beer. The plethora of good restaurants nearby that have take-out food makes it an even better place to visit. Tue Feb 25 12:37:18 -0800 2003 87218 0 mikeb 1 87388 The 21st Amendment Restaurant and Brewery is having a Belgian beer "school" tasting and buffet this Sunday. Here's the info from their website: Sunday, March 2 Belgian Beer School and Buffet! Ten to twelve rare Belgian beers with a buffet of traditional Belgian foods — $45/person includes beers, appetizers, dinner, tax and tip. Tickets available in advance beginning Feb 1. You'll certainly get a good overview and be surrounded by beeries here. Link: http://www.21st-amendment.com/21A.html Wed Feb 26 16:15:47 -0800 2003 87138 0 SusanO