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The CHAMPAGNE of the north Beer producers in the far north of France are revitalising the brewing industry, and in Lille micro-breweries are taking beer to new heights! Is beer the new wine in France? If you go to Lille, the capital of the Hauts-de-France region, you will certainly be forgiven for thinking it is! The historic city has seen a rebirth of the beer-making industry over the last 20 years or so. But these new-breed micro-brewers aren’t just producing standard beers. They’re brewing new and exciting beers, experimental beers, sour beers, fruity beers, stout beer, blonde beer, old school IPAs, double IPAs, New England IPAs, American pale ale, lager, beers stored in whisky, Cognac and wine barrels and more. These new beers are having a ripple effect in the industry and the beer trend has spread throughout France. Beer has been brewed in France for hundreds of years. But its due to French King Louis XIV that the culture of brewing in the north became so important. He ordered that beer imports from the Netherlands – which was at war with France – should cease, and northern France had to brew enough for French needs. Until the 1990s beer was pretty much brewed in the traditional way in big breweries but the new micro-breweries are innovative, creative and sometimes playful with their mix. The new beers are all about brewing in an artisan way, there’s no algorithm for it, it’s about passion, experimentation and creating unique tastes. And the new beers have found a whole new legion of fans. There are more than 30 micro-breweries in Lille. Typically, there are just 3-4 people involved in the artisanal production process and they make around 1000hl (175,000 pints) per year - compared to companies like Heineken who make more than 1.5 million pints per day. You’ll find an enormous choice of bars, breweries and bistros pairing beer and food in Lille… Brewers feast – where to drink beer in Lille Le Capsule – locals will tell you this is THE bar to go to for beer lovers. Knowledgeable staff, comfy chairs and an outstanding, constantly updated range of beers. Bar-lacapsure.fr There’s a new breed of tap room in Lille – fun, quirky and funky, with micro-breweries making new beers throughout the year and serving them with food that’s perfectly paired with beer. At Hein in the centre of Lille, the eclectic mix of grannie’s posh parlour ornaments and modern vibrant colours is eccentrically brilliant. Every two weeks they launch a new beer. If the customers like them they produce more! The menu features traditional northern dishes like carbonade flamande (beef cooked in beer) and chips. Manager Loic Movellan says “Sure we make beer with hops and malt, but we also make beer using mango smoke, pepper and coffee, vanilla, raspberry, mint and lime. Our mission is to help people discover every type of beer, we want to democratise beer.” briquehouse.com Take a craft beer tasting tour, guided tour with a ‘beerologist’, and even a blind beer tasting treasure hunt with Echappée Bière. There are several ways to discover historic Lille and enjoy beer, including in an iconic 2CV. Pop into the tourist office in the centre for lots of details. Lilletourism.com 46 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 47
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