From our newsletter of 27 October 2026.
Hello from the brewery.
October has been a busy one. A new batch of Pinot is out, our light blond Garçon Fort is now in bottles, the Christmas beer is out of the tanks and conditioning in the bottle, and there is a new guest beer on the taps at the Epping café, where all 12 of our draught lines are pouring. Below is everything coming up at both venues over the next few weeks: quizzes in Bishop's Stortford and, for the first time, in Epping, a free acoustic night in the Event Hall, a beer tasting with pizza, a brewery tour, a Christmas wreath workshop and the Christmas quiz.
One tip: the 13 November quiz is nearly full, so book that one now if you're coming.
A new batch of Pinot
Pinot is back. Pinot noir grapes from Bailey Hills, the vineyard just up the road from the brewery in Bishop's Stortford, go into the brew. In the glass that gives jammy red fruit, balanced between sharp and sweet, with soft dry tannins. 6.5%.
It is the beer we hand to the wine drinker at the table, and to anyone who likes a Kriek but wants something less sweet. Try it with cheese, charcuterie or a Sunday roast.
Pinot Noir mixed case
16 bottles: 8 Pinot, 4 Summer Blond and 4 Champagne Blond
£62 · only 5 cases left when we wrote this
Order the Pinot Noir mixed case
Garçon Fort, now in bottles
Our light blond is now bottled, so you can take it home from the brewery taproom in Bishop's Stortford and from the café in Epping. Soft vanilla, marzipan, pink grapefruit and stone fruit, at 4.2%.
The name means “strong boy”, said with a wink. Ask at the bar for bottles to take away.
The Christmas beer is bottle conditioning
Our Christmas beer is out of the tanks and in the bottle, where it is conditioning right now. It launches at the end of November, in good time for presents, the Christmas quiz and the long evenings in between.
We will email the day it goes on sale. If you want bottles for Christmas, that email is the one to act on: the Christmas batch is the one that runs out.
On draught in Bishop's Stortford: 13 beers
Thirteen of our own beers are pouring at the brewery taproom right now. Two to look out for: Cherry Rustique, our sour cherry beer, and Oktoberfest.
Petit Saison 3.4% · Blond Garçon Fort 4.2% · Belgian Black Stout 4.5% · Oktoberfest 4.5% · Pilsner 4.8% · Summer Blond 5.8% · IPA 6.3% · Peach Sour 6.5% · Wheat 6.5% · Saison 6.7% · Cherry Rustique 7.5% · Dubbel 7.5% · Champagne Blond 8.4%
On draught in Epping: 12 beers
Eight of our own beers are on draught at the café, with four Belgian guest beers alongside them: 12 in all. Everything is poured in our 2/3 measure.
Guest beers
- Delirium Tremens (8.5%) – the pink elephant from Melle, near Ghent. Pale, strong and spicy, with pear and a peppery finish.
- Westmalle Dubbel (7%) – the Trappist original. The monks of Westmalle set the pattern for every dark abbey ale since: chocolatey, malty, dry at the finish.
- La Chouffe Blond (8%) – the newest arrival, taking over the tap from the Rochefort Tripel, which has run dry. The golden ale from the Ardennes with the gnome on the label: spiced with coriander, fruity, and dangerously easy to drink.
- Boon Kriek (4%) – cherry lambic from the Pajottenland, west of Brussels. Sour cherries, a sherbet sparkle and almost no bitterness.
Our own beers
Petit Saison 3.4% · Blond Garçon Fort 4.2% · Stout 4.5% · Summer 5.8% · IPA 6.3% · Peach Sour 6.5% · Saison 6.7% · Champagne Blond 8.4%
Can't decide? The beer flight is four 1/3 glasses from the draught range for £12.50. Ask the bartender for a recommendation.
What's on
All tickets are on the website. For the quizzes, book a place for everyone in your team so we know how many tables to set.
Friday 30 October – Music quiz, Bishop's Stortford
The big one, every other month, hosted by Quizmaster Pete. £2 a head. 25 places left.
Wednesday 11 November – Pub quiz, Epping
The first quiz at the Epping café, with Quizmaster Pete. 19:00 until about 22:30. £2 a head.
Thursday 12 November – Acoustic Club charity night, Bishop's Stortford
Bishop's Stortford Acoustic Club brings six acts, four songs each, to the Event Hall at the brewery, in aid of Save Water Lane Hall. On the bill: Cut the Mustard, Elliot Porter, Tall Order, Conra, riverrats, and Tom Ryder & Lauren Parker. Doors 19:30, music from 20:00. Free entry, with a chance to donate on the night. Book a free place for everyone in your group so we can plan the room.
Friday 13 November – Pub quiz, Bishop's Stortford
Quizmaster Pete at the taproom. £2 a head. Only 6 places left.
Wednesday 18 November – Beer tasting with pizza, Epping
A guided tasting at the café: how our beer is brewed, the history behind the styles, and which food goes with each one. Your ticket includes half a pizza from Slice, the local pizzeria. Choose Margherita, Pepperoni or Big Hambition when you book, gluten-free or vegan if you need it. 19:00 to 20:30; the café opens at 18:30, so come early for a drink. £30 a head. Over 18s only.
Saturday 21 November – Brewery tour & tasting, Bishop's Stortford
A tour of the brewery with the owner or head brewer, followed by a tasting of our beers. £20 a head. 8 of 14 places left. Over 18s only. Groups of 10 or more can book a private tour on request.
Friday 27 November – Pub quiz, Bishop's Stortford
Quizmaster Pete at the taproom. £2 a head.
Wednesday 2 December – Christmas wreath workshop, Epping
Make your own Christmas wreath at the café with the French flower company. From 19:00. All materials are provided and your first drink is on us. £65 a head. Spaces are limited.
Friday 11 December – Christmas quiz, Bishop's Stortford
The Christmas quiz at the taproom, hosted by Quizmaster Pete, with the Christmas beer on the bar. £2 a head. Teams fill up fast for this one.
A beer tasting for your team or your club
You can also book one of our beer tastings privately for your own group: eight beers, a host to take you through each one, and food at half time. At the brewery in Bishop's Stortford or at our Belgian café in Epping. £30 a head, for groups of 10 to 30, any day from Sunday to Thursday. At the brewery you can add a tour for £5 a head.
That's it for now. Thank you, as ever, for drinking our beer and bringing your friends.
Cheers, 🍻
Nik and the team at The Belgian Brewer