Chip the Beer Guy Rock 107 – Breaker Brewing Belsnickler

It’s always fun to hear Mark & Chris from Breaker Brewing Co on the show and today was no exception.  Today’s show featured the BBC Belsnickler Holiday Ale.  I was lucky enough to get to try a few of the various batches of Belsnickler at the brewery a few weeks ago, and again at the Split Rock beer festival, ok and I’ll admit I tasted it again at the Anthracite Cafe and even again last week at Elmer Sudds.  I know what you’re thinking but I assure you it was all in the name of science or journalism or both; but you can never be too sure about really liking a beer.  Of course I really like this one a lot.  I’ll admit to being a lover of holiday beers and a lover of Belgian-yeast beers, and a lover of Belgian candied sugar beers and sure enough Belsnickler has them all.

I thought it would be fun to google “Belsnickler” so I did.  Ironically enough the first page or so of hits came from breakerbrewing.com, mybeerbuzz.com and our various Twitter and Facebook accounts.  After that, there were some great Germanic and Canadian stories about groups of Belsnicklers, dressed in fur masks visiting homes, receiving treats and giving gifts to all the children.  In some German cultures, Belsnickler actually means Father Christmas or Santa Claus.  I also found out that there is a verb “Belsnickling” and as it turns out Belsnickling is much like our modern day trick-or-treating with children dressing up and receiving treats as they visited homes.  So in addition to the Belsnickler label (be sure to click on it and read the text), I also present for you some Belsnickler Masks and images.

So to all you little Belsnicklers out there, be sure to get out and try some Belsnickler Ale.  Otherwise the sinister santa ghost of christmas-past (and his whip) may come Belsnickling to your door.  If he does come knocking, be sure to have an extra snifter ready to enjoy some Breaker Brewing Belsnickler Ale.  I know there’s a bottle waiting in my basement just in case I get Belsnickled.  Cheers guys…great beer & great show.