Flying
Trappiste (or), The long and arduous journey a keg of Belgian
beer takes, just to amaze pizza lovers in Boise, Idaho.
 |
Beers from Belgium are an
ineffable experience. The one thing more amazing than offering a
variety of Belgian bottles to our customers (here in Boise) is that we
offer Belgian beers on tap. Let’s follow the journey of such a keg,
in this case, a 5.3 gallon keg of Chimay Triple (white), from the Trappist
Scourmont Abbey in the tiny hamlet of Chimay, Belgium. |
| To begin with, for the keg
to be shipped, it first has to be driven or sent by train, to Antwerp.
Once safely aboard a cargo ship, it heads west to the Atlantic. Then,
after a port call in New York, the ship takes a surprising left turn, for
the Panama Canal. |
 |
| Captured
by Aaron:
First
time customer, Jake: This beer rocks!
Aaron:
The Chimay? Yeah, it's best from a Chimay glass like that. It's just not
as good from the bottle.
J:
Really? Where can I get a glass?
A:
We've got 'em for $3.
J:
Great, give me 2. |
The freighter passes through
the Panama Canal (hefty toll on that) emerging into the Pacific Ocean.
A sharp right turn up the coast of Mexico, then of California, demarking
at the pier in San Francisco. Here, the keg is lovingly set on American
soil, before being added to a truck headed North East, driven 525 miles
to Boise, and promptly sent to the only pizza place around here that would
bother to go to this much trouble just to earn a “Wow” from an appreciative
customer.
This keg of Chimay will be
on tap for perhaps only 2 hours before it is drained. But, that is
not the end of this story, because the folks in the Chimay Abbey at Scourmont,
(those thrifty monks!) want the empty one back, to clean, refill
and ship out again!
Please join us in raising
a glass of Chimay and giving thanks for Trappist monks, container cargo
ships, and the amazing distribution folks who work with us! We love
being the end users, as we get to see the smiles and accept the praise
for this entire elaborate team.
| Captured
by Justin H:
Customer,
Holli: "Really, you guys carry Chimay? I'll take three red labels, then.
Me:
"We've got the white on tap right now."
Holli:
"No way! We'll take the growler!" |
For more on the travels
of a keg of Chimay, click here |
