Gert Christiaens loved the beers of Oud Beersel so much that he couldn’t abide the brewery closing in 2003. So, he bought the brewery, learned to brew, and for the past 20 years has focused on preserving the legacy of traditional oude gueuze and kriek. But that mission to preserve doesn’t mean sealing beers in a time capsule. Instead, it involves finding new ways to make these classic styles relevant to drinkers wherever they may be—from the Senne Valley to South America.
In this episode, Christiaens discusses:
- learning how to produce beer in order to continue the lambic and gueuze tradition
- the challeges of producing oude kriek with Schaerbeekse cherries
- the four main phases of lambic fermentation
- micro-oxygenation through wood-aging
- the impact of wood and barrel types on culture
- centering blends with refined components
- incorporating interesting and localized ingredients such as Chilean peppers and Japanese bamboo leaf as bridges between cultures
- protecting the definition of oude gueuze and oude kriek
And more.
G&D Chillers
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Berkeley Yeast just launched Dry Tropics London! Our best-selling liquid yeast strain, now with all the ease-of-use benefits of dry yeast. Dry Tropics London delivers the soft, pillowy mouthfeel and juicy character you’d expect from a top-tier London Ale strain, but with a serious upgrade: a burst of thiols that unleash vibrant, layered notes of grapefruit and passion fruit. A lot of brewers love the clean passion fruit you get from Tropics, but they don’t want every IPA to be a tropical-fruit bomb. At the dry yeast price point, you can pitch and ditch without breaking the bank. Or, you can co-pitch with your house strain to adjust the intensity of the notes. And with nationwide free shipping, there’s never been a better time to try Dry Tropics. Order now at berkeleyyeast.com and experience the ease and impact of Dry Tropics London Yeast.
This episode is sponsored by PakTech—delivering craft-beer multipacking you can trust. Our handles are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and are fully recyclable, helping breweries close the loop and advance the circular economy. With a minimalist design, durable functionality you can rely on, and custom color matching, our carriers help brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, we offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com.
Give your customers a pleasant surprise with Audacia in your next IPA. Brought to you by Indie Hops, this descendant of Strata brings her own flare of catchy lilac/lavender aroma and flavors of sweet-tart berries with tangy lychee. Audacia loves family reunions with Strata and has even more fun when Citra, Simcoe, Amarillo, and others join the party. Let Audacia loose and watch the smiles spread. Indie Hops — Life is short. Let’s make it flavorful!
If you’re like many podcast listeners, you’ve got a lot of beers at home, and your regular fridge is at capacity. Enter the Midea 50/50 Flex—the industry’s first dual compartment three-way convertible freezer. Here’s what all that means for you: options! The 50/50 has the power to be all freezer, all fridge, or a little bit of both. But you’ll probably want to use those 20 cubic feet as a massive, garage-ready beer fridge. You can also change which side the door is on or how you want the shelves to be arranged—the 50/50 totally flexes to fit your life. Plus, it’s designed to maintain a stable temperature even in non-climate-controlled conditions—so you can crack a cold one even on the warmest days in the man cave. Take your garage to the next level! Check out Midea.com/us/ to get more info about this game changer today. Cheers!
The beyond-beer space is booming, and Old Orchard is here for it, supplying breweries with fruit ingredients for all your beverage needs: low/no alcohol, hard lemonades, seltzer, cider, and more. Old Orchard has supplied hundreds of industrial customers across 49 states, including nationally and internationally loved brands, so you'll be in good company. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer.
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In Flanders, beer is more than a drink—it’s a cultural thread woven through history, cuisine, and community. Today, microbreweries honor tradition while experimenting with bold flavors, and young chefs embrace zero-waste cooking, local ingredients, and inventive beer-infused dishes. Even chocolatiers are reimagining Belgian pralines with surprising pairings. Across kitchens and breweries, expertise and creativity drive a passion for flavor rooted in Belgium’s DNA. Raising a glass of Belgian beer means savoring centuries of craftsmanship, innovation, and culinary artistry. Come to Flanders in 2026 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of UNESCO recognition and sample this unique combination of creative brewing tradition and culinary exploration.