So, this is cool. I’m still at The Brick Store in Decatur, Georgia after just having finished my glass of Arches Mystik Bock. Jeff Evans is here with me, and we noticed a neat sounding beer called Wipers Times 16 from Belgium’s new Kazematten brewery in Ypres. The Brick Store called this a Belgian amber though the brewery calls it a “Belgian Red Specialty Ale”, a style you don’t come across every day.

Interesting, too, is the lineage of Kazematten. According to The Brick Store, Kazematten was founded by the daughter of the owner of St. Bernardus and the son of the owner of Rodenbach. Only good things can come of that, my friends. Kazematten says:

WIPERS TIMES 16 : the newest beer of Brewery Kazematten

In 2014 Brewery Kazematten launched her first beer: Wipers Times 14, a blond herbal beer, brewed with 4 grains and finished with 4 herbs. The name 'Wipers Times' refers to the British "trench gazette" that was printed during WOI in the casemates (kazematten) of Ypres.

This year, for the occasion of the 100th anniversary of 'The Wipers Times', the brewery proudly presents its newest member: Wipers Times 16. It's a spicy, remarkably fresh beer brewed with elderberry and elderflower (7,2% ABV).  “Neither sweet nor sour; dry, with some fruit tannins, floral notes & secret spices opening as it warms." 

I paid $8 for a 12-ounce glass of Wipers Times 16 at The Brick Store. That glass arrived a deep reddish hue beneath a formidable head of creamy foam. It had a smooth soft grainy maltiness in the nose, a full smooth creamy malty body, stewed malts, berry fruits and a balanced finish. It was to me reminiscent of Rodenbach without the sourness, and it was a beer I could drink again and again and again. Easily my favorite beer of the day, and I had some very good beers that day. Bonus points for having one of the weirdest names for a beer I’ve come across in a long time, too.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

 

 



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