Martin’s Beer beer tasting in ABC

Published On: 14 October 2024|By |Categories: Eat and drink|

An educational evening with plenty of beer tasting

On 2 october, we were invited by Tribe Agency to discover Martin’s Beer newest creations. The Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie was the perfect site to learn about the extensive history of John Martin Brewery.  After a short introduction by Jonathan Martin, followed an educational tour through the brewery. Johan Van Dyck passionately guided us through the innovative brewing process of the ABC.

Next, we had the opportunity to enjoy the delicious creations of John Martin Brewery. With ‘Nadorst’, Martin’s Beer launched a sophisticated non-alcoholic beer, as Johan expressed it so eloquently, “forget drinking NA beer purely on character”. Nadorst is a NA beer you can really enjoy. The White IPA and IPA 55 are also definitely worth a try. In the White IPA, Martin’s Beer combines a classic Belgian white beer with the complex tones of an IPA. The prized IPA 55, on the other hand, is a classic Indian Pale Ale with a strong bitter taste and tones of citrus. In 2022, the IPA 55 was awarded by the prestigious World Beer Awards.

Last but definitely not least, we got to taste the Martin’s Pale Ale. A traditional, silky smooth and slightly salty English Pale Ale with a beautiful bronze colour and subtle hints of caramel and chocolate. Since 2022, this Pale Ale is being brewed by ABC. With this beer, a true icon finds its way back to Antwerp. We will finally hear the phrase ‘Veur maa nog n Pelle-Elleke, astemblieft’ being yelled across Antwerp pubs once again.

The comeback of an iconic brand to Antwerp

Martin’s Beer is no newcomer in Antwerp, nor in the beer industry. This iconic brand was first established in 1702 as Brasserie de la taupe near Brussels. With their arrival in Antwerp in 1909, and their new location in the harbour, came a diversification of their portfolio.

In 2021 Martin’s Beer returned to Antwerp with Martin’s Pale Ale. This comeback reinforced their engagement in Antwerp’s brewing traditions through a partnership with Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie. Their return to Antwerp was characterised by both a renewed focus on the cultural roots of the Martin family, and by innovation. For example, earlier on, Martin’s Beer was the first to introduce the process of dry hopping in Belgium. By using a ‘hop gun’, the fresh aroma’s are pulled from the hop without releasing more bitter flavours into the beer.

A fourth generation with a focus on tradition and innovations

“Rules are there to be broken.”

With Jonathan Martin leading Martin’s Beer, the brand strives for creative, intuitive and unconventional thinking. Tradition and innovation go hand in hand while the family builds a bright future for itself. Earlier on, Martin’s Beer relaunched some of their historic brands, such as Timmermans and Bourgogne des Flandres, and launched many new beers, such as Martin’s White IPA.

Martin’s White IPA

“The Martin’s White IPA combines the tradition of Belgian white beer with the innovation of IPA’s.” The star of the show was Martin’s White IPA, the newest creation of Martin’s Beer. A careful mix of wheat and the process of dry hopping with Mosaic, Citra and Cascade hops give the beer fresh hints of grapefruit and exotics fruits. The unique and refreshing tase of Martin’s White IPA perfectly represents the creativity and expertise of the bewery