Belgium comes to Cooperstown

[Fly Creek]

It's on again.

Belgium to Cooperstown (http://www.ommegang.com/index.php?event_view_id=11&event_view=2005-07-15&mcat=3&scat=0)

Highly recommended.

[chazwicke]

Looks like a great time. I've got prior commitments (NJ on friday to pick up my sons old car and then to beach) otherwise I'd consider the trek. Give us a report!

[imperial]

My girlfriend and I made the trek up to Ommegang for this year's Belgium Comes to Cooperstown festival. It was our first time going to this event, and having read about previous years' fests, we were really looking forward to it. The brewery offers camping on site, which we thought would be an excellent idea since we would be drinking belgian beers for 4 hours during the fest and certainly would be in no shape to drive anywhere. We had hoped that the weather would be a bit cooler in upstate NY than it is in DC, but we were wrong -- it was just as hot and humid up there as it was when we left home. And with rain showers Friday night, it wasn't the best weather for camping.

On to the beer fest itself, they give you a nice 6 oz. tasting glass, rather than a plastic cup or mug, which was a plus. All of the brewers/importers were located under one tent, which proved to be a bit crowded at times, and with the heat and humidity, we were sweating out as much as we were drinking. However, the brewery provided tubs of bottled water and coolers of water throughout the tent, which helped us stay hydrated.

It was awesome being able to bounce from station to station, trying new and different Belgian beers that I had never tasted before, as well as sampling some old favorites. I think we hit most of the microbreweries that were there, and I was very impressed with the quality of their beers. There really are a lot of U.S. micros producing some delicious and unique Belgian-style beers. The one that stands out to me the most was Russian River brewing company. Their Depuration (http://www.russianriverbrewing.com/beers/depuration/) ale was probably my favorite beer from the event.

The food tent was next to the beer tent, serving belgian waffles, brats, frites, and mussels. The food was a little pricey for what you got, and apparently this was the first year that food wasn't included in your ticket. After the tasting was over, they started serving roast pig as well.

The tasting ran from 2pm-6pm, and after that Ommegang continued pouring their beers until 2am, for a fee, of course. And there were bands playing into the night. We ended up passing out around 11 or so. Overall it was a good time. Had it been less hot, it would have been more enjoyable.

[brewmonkey]

Vinnie and the crew at Russian River most certainly have their shit wired tight. I was glad to see he was able to buy the brand from Korbel when they divested.

[chazwicke]

sounds great. I like the idea of camping on premisis. I have an RV so AC would be available. How far was the trek from DC and how long did it take you?

[imperial]

It was around 360 miles door to door, and on the way home I drove straight through, stopping once for gas, and made it in under 6 hours. It was actually a very easy drive, on 81 for most of the trip. An RV would definitely be the way to go. Tent camping sucked there, as they forced everyone to camp in a small area, most of which was on a hill, and it turned into a tent city (most tents had about a foot of space between them). They had advertised hot showers, which turned out to be one makeshift shower located in the brewery that consisted of a hose and cloth screen behind the mash tun. Due to the lines, I didn't shower while I was there.

[Insidious Rex]

I agree it was a great time. Also my first time to the event. Its in the middle of no where though. Nice to be able to camp and just walk over to the brewery. All very nicely self contained. As long as you dont mind roughing it for a few days you should be fine. The best part of course was the night after the tasting when brewers are looking to unload their unfinished beer kegs and they come up to your fire cirlces and ask if you want one. For free... $200 kegs of Belgian beer... Since they cant resell it and it does them no good why not promote it a little more I guess is the logic. So the combination of free kegs everywhere you walked and people just hanging out making bon fires and jamming into the night gave it sort of a burning man feel more so then a tasting. Not as many naked hippies though thank goodness...

[chazwicke]

Where in MD are you guys from? Great to add to our Mid Atlantic contingent here. Especially DC and environs.

I might try to make this next year. I like the idea of camping.

[Insidious Rex]

Im from Southern MD. Not too far from Alexandria. Im the guy planted at the bar at Bilbo Baggins and The Fish Market if you ever get around that way.

Yeah definitely look into the Ommegang thing. Its a nice event. And they do make some of the best beer in this country Id have to say. Tried their Three Philosophers Quadrupel? Anybody got a Winnebego? Maybe we could do a DC to Cooperstown tour. Hit a few places in PA on the way there and back. Course by the time you are done with three days in a field in upstate New York all you want is a shower and a real bed...

[chazwicke]

I do get around to Alexandria on occasion. Grew up there in the 70s. I've got a couple 3 Philosphers in the beer fridge at home that I picked up in NY last January. I've got an RV and I'd think a Cooperstown trip would be fun. Except trying to drive the thing after a few Belgian style beers. ;)

[zoom6zoom]

I saw the ads for the event, but couldn't get the time off to go - sounds like we should plan a group road trip for the next one!

Except trying to drive the thing after a few Belgian style beers.
"Umm... it's the crosswinds, Officer!"


I've always enjoyed Ommegang's products. The first I ever tried was the 3 Philosophers. Stocked up on Abbey Ale, Hennepin and Rare VOS at Norm's yesterday.