British beer writers honour Daisy Claeys

Daisy Claeys, legendary owner of the Brugs Beertje bar in Bruges, was awarded an engraved tankard by members of the British Guild of Beer Writers on Friday 3 February at a ceremony in Damme, a few kilometres from Bruges. The tankard’s engraving thanked her “for inspiring a generation of British beer writers”.

I told the large audience in the Siphon inn in Damme that in 1988 members of the newly-formed guild had travelled to Belgium and enjoyed a memorable tasting of Belgian beers at the Brugs Beertje that had inspired Michael Jackson and Tim Webb to write their guides to Belgian beer.

The award took place during Smaak Down at the Siphon organised by Breandán Kearney, also seen in the photo. Breandán runs Belgian Smaak (taste) that organises beer talks and tastings. With Franklin Verdonck, he installed a five hectolitre brewery at the Siphon last year that is now producing IPA, saison and oyster stout. (Gasthof Siphon, 1 Damse Vaart-Oost, 83400 Damme). www.siphonbrewing.be

Daisy Claeys has sold Brugs Beertje to a new owner who has pledged to follow her policy of selling only speciality Belgian beers and no Pils brands.

Photo: Matthew Curtis.

http://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/05/05/daisy-claeys-30-beer-years-in-bruges