A pint of kindness

In the winter of 1785, Robbie Burns wrote the poem Scotch Drink. The poem is a response to the enactment of a law which restricted the Forbes family of Culloden from producing their renowned Ferintosh whisky without duty.

That merry night we get the corn in,
O sweetly, then, thou reams the horn in!
Or reekin’ on a New-Year mornin’
In cog or bicker,
An' just a wee drap sp'ritual burn in,
An’ gusty sucker!

Burns expressed his discontent with the imposition of taxes on the beverage by the British government. In this work, he commemorates the significance of whisky in the daily existence of common people, portraying its involvement in festive occasions, harvesting rituals, and the resolution of local disputes among neighbours. Three years later, Burns wrote the infamous Auld Lang Syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

The lyrics are about old friends having a drink and recalling adventures they had long ago. Although there is no specific reference to the New Year, it has become steadfast connected to this particular annual event. Singing – or shouting, depending on your level of intoxication or good spirits – the lyrics celebrate the camaraderie of man. It’s as if Robbie Burns put into words what a wholesome, hearty hug between good friends feels like.

Kezenspel with family

Whilst playing boardgames with family, sharing memories and company supplemented by a seemingly never-empty glass beer or - in the case of my partner’s mother, dessert wine - I caught myself thinking about how best to contribute to my first #BeerSaturday. Drink, when not abused, can coax out the pre-existing sentiments we humans cherish – heartfelt glee, love, humour to name a few. I love my friends and family, and I like my water with barley and hops.

So, when visiting the Netherlands this holiday season, my partner and I branched out with our beer tasting and took in three new bevvies. Aubel from the Brasserie Grain D’Orge, a Tripel d’Anvers from the Stadsbrouwerij de Koninck and a Tripel Val-Dieu. The Aubel was certainly my favourite: sweet, strong and dry. Grain D’Orge is a microbrewery in the village of Hombourg in Wallonia, Belgium, and officially opened in 2002 with the launch of only three beers. I’m absolutely eager to try the other three. The Tripel d’Anvers was also a hit, according my partner who snagged the majority - haha.

As for the Val-Dieu… Well, seeing as I’m a history fanatic and the abbey Val-Dieu recently celebrated its 800th anniversary, we just had to schedule in a wee trip along the Berwinne into the heart of van Herve, Belgium, to visit the brewery in person. The beer, produced from original recipes and just all-round delicious, truly inspired the site-visit. Val-Dieu was founded in 1216 by Cistercian monks from the Dutch village of Hocht, on lands donated by the Duke of Limburg and the Count of Dalhem. Through sheer hard labour the monks managed to transform the inhospitable ‘devil’s valley’ into fertile arable land, naming it the ‘valley of the gods’ or Val-Dieu. It is well worth the visit and, of course, the tasting platter comes highly recommended.

Beers from left to right: Aubel from the Brasserie Grain D’Orge, a Tripel d’Anvers from the Stadsbrouwerij de Koninck and a Tripel Val-Dieu

Pouring the Aubel

The Val-Dieu Abbey, Belgium

So, as I welcome in the New Year serenaded by Robbie Burns, surrounded by the warmth of a close family and complemented by delectable golden brews, I can’t help but count my blessings. I’ll sign off now, and ready myself to step into the New Year with fresh vigour. Let’s conclude this post with a final wish of good tidings for you this 2024. May this be your year. In the words of our esteemed Scottish bard…

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Seeing in the New Year, the Netherlands