Beers 2013 at Nokia Stadium in Tel Aviv
During my four plus years in Israel, I’ve tried to attend the major beer events each year typically held in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. By far the one most suited for writers and insiders is the annual Beers Israel expo organized by Sommelier Israel, the same organizers of the annual Sommelier wine trade show typically held every November in Tel Aviv. It’s the only beer event in Israel with three hours each day put aside for professionals to sample the brews before the throngs of thousands belly up to the taps. Yet, when the doors open to the public it’s not long before you see everyone in a festive mood as they indulge their curiosity and thirst for the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage.
Beers 2013 was once again held at the Nokia Stadium in east Tel Aviv. With unusually torrential rain and blustering winds during the two days of the event, attendance was seemingly less than previous years but it was nice to know that those who did attend were committed professionals or connoisseurs of beer (if not committed to beer, they could have been committed to an asylum for coming out in the atypically nasty winter weather including tree felling winds and hail storms).
there were several hard cider’s to taste including Israeli Buster’s Ciders
However if you do like beers of all kinds ( and even hard ciders), you were rewarded for your perseverance by an astounding variety and selection of Israeli and imported beers representing all the major styles. Entrance was only NIS 60 for the public which included a tasting glass and 5 tasting tickets and additional tickets for tasting were available for NIS 30 for each additional five. So for NIS 90 you could taste 10 beers and with the portions that would be enough for most (except for the most motivated or writers who feel compelled to taste to the limit of their endurance). I took off last year because two years ago, I tried to taste EVERY beer and might have come close to 100 but it was an ugly day the next day so this year I tried to taste the most unique beers at each brewery booth although some booths had some beers that were sentimental favorites I couldn’t resist. I did try to taste samples from the range of pale ales, dark stouts and porters, wheat beers and lagers to get a perspective of what was base to better appreciate what was exceptionally good or unique.
Dancing Camel’s chili infused Leche de Diablo “Devil’s Milk”
Israel’s oldest microbrewery, the Dancing Camel, was near the entrance of the expo and its fun label and gregarious owner American born David Cohen personally poured me a few of his mainstay beers that have made his Tel Aviv bar/microbrewery a popular meeting place. I had recently tasted his Cherry Vanilla Stout as one of the top ten beers I remembered tasting. I kidded David that of course I don’t often remember what I tasted when I start drinking any alcohol other than wine. Yet, it still held up as a fruity and fun beer whose sweet cherry and vanilla notes balance nicely with the stout’s hops. Additionally, the Leche del Diablo (the Devil’s Milk) made a welcome appearance and this chile flavored beer has a good kick to it which to me screams it would match well with fried food. David said this batch was spicier than normal but I say pour on the heat (I might not pair it with spicy food, it might be like pouring gasoline on a fire). Their monthly monster, Golem, which they make only to be unleashed on each full moon is an iced IPA (Indian Pale Ale). Like an iced wine where the base beer is iced to concentrate the beer and reduce the overall water content so that when the remaining fluid is fermented it has a higher ratio of sugar to be fermented into alcohol in this case resulting in whopping 12% alcohol. From what I surmised this was the biggest bruiser on the block with some imported Belgian beers at the Expo hitting 8 to 10% alcohol (such as mainstays Duvel and St. Bernardus) but most beers were between the industry standard of 4 to 6%.
A recently launched brewery, the Shapiro Brewery, was nearby. This family brewery started in 2011 and is already making some inroads into making a name for themselves for making some interesting beers under brewmaster Yochai Kudler. Danny Shapirio says their making a modest 4,000 liters a month and have been mostly distributing in Jerusalem but are starting to find their way into the Tel Aviv market. Their Oatmeal Stout had stoutish chocolate and espresso notes that were a good benchmark as I tasted other stouts and it comes in with 5.2% alcohol. Of special note was their Jack’s Winter Ale with 7.8% alcohol that’s spiced and fortified with a dose of Jack’s Daniel whiskey, sort of a pre-made boiler maker.
David drinking Jem’s Golden Ale
Within shouting distance was the booth for the Jem’s Beer Factory. I say within shouting distance because you could here Jems (aka Jeremy Welfeld), another American born brewer, whooping it up putting the festive into this festival. “Petah Tikva” was his mantra as he yelled until his voice gave out. That’s where his kosher restaurant and microbrewery are headquartered 15 minutes outside of Tel Aviv. Jems is expanding into his and business partner’s Dan’s hometown of Ra’anana with a micro-Jems seating about 20 in contrast to papa-Jems which can host hundreds and often hosts functions and musical acts. Their “8.8” is their best selling beer outside of the brewery and this evening special star was their Golden Ale with 4.4% alcohol and flavored with American hops with nice citric notes that made me think it would be a good match for curry or sushi. Currently, their line-up also includes a Pilsner, a Dark Lager, an Amber Ale, a Wheat Beer and a Stout.
The Golan Brewhouse in Katzrin, Israel near the Golan Heights Winery
One of the largest microbreweries was next on my list and one I’ve written about just previously in Israel’s Diplomatic Club magazine. Bazelet Beer from the Golan Brewhouse, owned and distributed by the Golan Heights Winery and located nearby in Katzrin. The had a full range of beers to try as did most of the breweries yet they were the only ones presenting two brews fermented in oak barrels. Golan Heights lended Associate winemaker Australian born Michael Avery to assist in the production and Michael asserted that although a few Israeli beers might be oak aged Bazelet makes the only brews barrel fermented 10 days in French oak, The 225 liter barrels can be used for up to 25 batches according to Michael before the barrels are leached of any meaningful flavoring or tannins to impart on the beer. One beer we tasted was a year and half old which is ancient compared to many commercial beers which typically have a shelf life of a few or several months.
Another up and coming producer is the Malka Brewery which started in 2006 and is distributed by Hakerem in Israel (no relation to the Hakerem Wine Blog). Located in the Galilee, brewer Assaf Levy is turning out about 12,000 liters a month with a Stout, Wheat beer, Pale Ale, and Winter Ale among his current releases. The Malka Winter Ale had some chocolate and toffee notes that reminded me more of a Stout and touted a hardy 6% alcohol.
The Alexander Brewery was nearby and they’re one of the more popular micro-brews to be found in upscale bars in Tel Aviv. Their “Belgian Ale”, French Style “Ambree”, Green IPA, Black Porter and Alexander’s Festival Lager give beer lovers a wide range to choose from. Their Green IPA has one recognition in local Israeli competitions.
A recent entry into the Tel Aviv market is the Jerusalem born Shapiro Brewery located now in Beit Shemish. Producing about 4,000 liters a mont under the auspices of Israeli born and Berlin trained brewer Yochai Kudlev, the brewery makes standard fare like an award winning Pale Ale and a Wheat beer as well as some unique beers like their Oatmeal Stout which has classical stout chocolate and espresso notes with 5.2% alcohol and a seasonal Jack’s WInter Ale which with 8% alcohol is flavored and bolstered by a dose of Jack’s Daniels Whiskey.
My List of Favorite Israeli and Imported Beers to serve me that I can remember tasting from Beers 2013 (in no particular order). But it should be noted I could have mentioned a couple dozen more. All beers are Israeli unless otherwise noted.
Alexander’s Green IPA
Ten of my Long List of Favorite Beers to Serve Me in Israel (less I forget) in no particular order…
Alexander Green IPA
Malka Winter Ale
Galil Pumpkin Ale
Negev Passionflora
Jem’s Golden Ale
Jem’s 8.8
Dancing Camel Cherry Vanilla Stout
Dancing Camel Leche del Diablo
Shapiro Oatmeal Stout
Shapiro Jack’s Winter Ale
Klara Stout
Bazelet Oak-Aged Double Bock Lager
Imported into Israel (it should be noted I didn’t mentioned several imported beers I’ve tried before…even I have mortal limits to how much I can taste at one event).
Fuller’s London Porter (UK) distributed by Norman Premium
Kastel Rouge (Belgium)
Duvel Single (Belgium) or the original “Double”
