Advent Calendar 3/24 - Brugse Zot

Today we're tasting a beer that has traveled through the world's longest beer pipeline. A 3km beer pipeline which connects the historic center of the city of Bruges, where it is produced, to the outskirts of Bruges where it is bottled.

This simple logistical detail made it famous around the world. Thus in Mexico, where it is distributed, the locals believed that the people of Bruges had a beer tap in their kitchens directly connected to the tanks of the Halve Maan brewery. A guaranteed buzz.

Brugsezot is a Belgian blonde beer par excellence, sweet, not too bitter, more body than a good pilsner but without the thickness of a triple.

It also exists in a non-alcoholic version, Sportzot. It was even a first in Belgium when it was released. We imagine it intended primarily for the many cyclists who travel the roads of Flanders on weekends. It remains a benchmark among non-alcoholic beers now that they have become very popular.

For those wondering about the meaning of "brugsezot", it means the madmen of Bruges. The people of Bruges are apparently known by the diminutive zot. It dates back centuries when locals petitioned Emperor Maximilian of Austria to open a new madhouse. He reportedly replied, "Just close the city gates and you'll have your crazy house."

We leave you with a small enticing video of the presentation of the brewery (in English)

On this, Cheers!

Florian