Today is a very important day…a very important day indeed. In about one year, Tipsy Tribe will get to unveil their very first ever whiskey! The very first whiskey or whisky, or whiskaaaay, ever made in the Brussels region, entirely 100% made by us at the Brewstillery! The team’s so excited about it that they said “Hey, write a blog post!”, and I graciously declined… a few times… then accepted because, in the end, I’m a sucker for a chance to write, especially on a topic up there in importance, in my head, as my whole hearted support for pineapple on pizza, fucking fight me…
Creating the first whiskey in Brussels was a challenge. Our small equipment, the brutal administration and rules, the time it took, the fact that I wasn’t drinking that month and the overwhelming cold in the Brewstillery made me hate most of the process… but the moment it was finished and I took the first smell (smell I say, not sip of course due to dry January) I knew I hit my targets. I wasn’t sure that my nose was up to the challenge since I had no experience making whiskey before… well except my terrible first vodkas which tasted more like whiskey anyways. But it turned out wonderful, full of complexity, full of flavor and aroma, begging to be thrown in a barrel, virgin, untouched white oak that would impart its color, aromas and flavors to the spirit, magic in the barrel, time and waiting…
Being the first Brussels based distillery to make whiskey is truly an honor, something we want to bring forward for all the people here in a city I’ve called home for 23 years. Brussels deserves a real distillery, one that creates their own products from scratch, doesn’t compromise on quality and focuses on making something truly unique and one of a kind with passion and love. We’re happy to be that distillery, that brewstillery.
Here’s a list of a few of a few things I like (not necessarily in order, nor exhaustive):
spirits; distillery; Brussels distillery; best distillery near me; best distilleries near me; best whisky bar near me; best whisky; whisky Belgium; whisky distillery Brussels; craft distillery; craft distillery Brussels; Belgian brands; craft whisky; whisky sour; whisky cocktails; whisky glass; whisky on the rocks; whisky tasting; whisky neat; whisky near me; whiskey or whisky; whisky brands; whisky bar Brussels; whisky yeast; whisky set; whisky drinks; my kids; my wife (last but not least)!