Louisiana Trip: Festival International

Thursday: So here we are again visiting family, taking a break and going to Festival International. After we settle into Breaux Bridge we head out to the basin, on the way we stop for beer and I pick up a sixer of Abita Red Ale. We get to the Atchafalaya Basin to visit some of my wife's family that are vacationing on the boat, we were picked up via a party barge and transported out into the basin, tucked away into a cypress and willow flooded area. Nice and peaceful setting, I was able to fish for bluegill right off the deck. The family enjoyed a wonderful crawfish etouffee made on the spot with fresh ingredients. I shared a couple of bottles of St Bernardus Wit and Prior 8 with the house boat members as well as brought a variety of local Texas beers. The Wit is becoming a favorite of mine and the more I try the other styles St Bernardus offers, they are growing on me pretty quick. We finish with a moonlight boat ride back to the cars and head home.

Friday: Off to the festival for live music, art and socializing. Luis Perez is a family artist that was showing his work. I picked up a wood carved voodoo doll to hang at the shop. The smaller doll on the right is from New Orleans, from my wife. Chantal's grandfather Al Grace built a still and would make is own whiskey, this was several years back. Since his passing the still has sat in his old shop unused. It was loaned to me today by the family, it needs a little work but I think I can get it to operate. pictures soon.

Sat: First stop Marcellos to take a quick look, a box and some cash later I emerge. It's always hit or miss but this time they had a large variety of corked Belgium beers that I have not tried, plus a few french beer and corked cider.

Beer List:
Meantime Coffe Porter, London UK
Gouden Carolus Triple, corked, Belgium
Gouden Caroulus Grand Cru, corked, Belgium
Corsendonk Brown and Pale Ale corked, Belgium
Silver Jubilee Farmhouse Ale, corked, US
Guldenberg Abbey Ale, corked, Belgium
Gavroche Red Ale, France
Cidre Bouchet Brut Du Normandie, Cider, Corked, France

A few of these will be cellared and a few will show up later here. After we deposit the beers at home we head out to the festival. One of the festival events was a beer class: Good for what ALES you: The History of brewing techniques of beer from around the world. Due to a scheduling mishap the classes didn't form but a few die hard beer lovers showed up and were treated with a very small, social beer tasting environment. The local distributing representative was on hand with a variety of beer available from a Bud distributor. Of these I tasted the Wild Blue, Blueberry Lager a blueberry infused lager. Deep purple color, little carbonation and a super sweet blueberry taste. Not what I expected in a beer, I think this beer would be better suited for cooking. Next up the Shock Top Belgian Style White ale with a slice of orange, hazy wheat color, sweet notes, coriander. Not a bad value based selection for the style. The rest of the selections were pretty domestic but the conversation and free beer is always enjoyable. The rain finally set in and we decided to leave early and get some fresh boiled crawfish.

More photos and tasting notes soon.