Brookston

Hose shot of the day, at Rodenbach Brewery, in Roselare, Belgium.

GABF 2006 Flashback: At the first session Thursday night, here is Curt Decker, then owner of Nodding Head Brewing in Philadelphia, along with Cowgirl, who presumably was a volunteer for that session.

Beer Birthday: Thomas Kerns brookston.short.gy/bZkvrc

Last stop on an amazing 4-day trip through Flanders ended with a great tasting of De Ranke beers.

Hose shot of the day, at Brasserie De Ranke, in Dottignies, Belgium.

GABF 2006 Flashback: At the first session Thursday night, here is a fun group of five festival-goers, presumably from outside the U.S.

Historic Beer Birthday: Armand Debelder brookston.short.gy/kDWUgw

Hose shot of the day, at De Struise Brouwers, in Vleteren, Belgium.

GABF 2006 Flashback: At the first session Thursday night, here is Ralph Olson, from HopUnion, Daniel Del Grande, then with Bison Brewing, and Peter Hoey when he was also with Bison.

Belated Beer Birthday: Melissa Cole brookston.short.gy/cG7Fed

Hose shot of the day, at Brasserie Cantillon, in Brussels, Belgium. (October 23, 2026)

GABF 2006 Flashback: At the first session Thursday night, this is Victory Brewing co-founder Bill Covaleski behind his booth.

Another first day in Brussels must-do taken care of, with a visit to my favorite frites shop there, Fritkot Chouke. Perfect on a cold, drizzly day.

Beer Birthday: Jonathan Cutler brookston.short.gy/79VZdh

Today's reason to drink? It's Austrian Sekt Day, Black Thursday, Eat a Pretzel Day, Feast of Fools, iPod Day, National Couch Potato Day, National Nut Day, National Tavern-Style Pizza Day, National Tex Mex Day, Toastmasters Day, World Energy Day & World Planting Day brookston.short.gy/8ljWG7

Beer Birthday: Lucy Saunders brookston.short.gy/2O87pP

Happy Birthday American author Ursula K. Le Guin (October 21, 1929–January 22, 2018)

Today's reason to drink? It's Babbling Day, Caprese Salad Day, Caramel Apple Day, Garbanzo Bean Day, Great British Cheese Day, International Day of the Nacho, Loud Shirt Day, National Mezcal Day, Take Time and Watch the Sunset Day, Try Thinking Day & World Apple Day brookston.short.gy/fPA8jE

Beer In Ads #5379: 'tis Grolsch Bokbier brookston.short.gy/4Red6Q

GABF 2006 Flashback: After the brewers reception at Wynkoop Wednesday night, most of us decamped to The Falling Rock. This is Jeremy Cowan, then from He'Brew, and Ricardo Norgrove, then from Bear Republic.

Beer Birthday: Sean Paxton brookston.short.gy/jCCFoy

Happy Birthday American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Tom Petty (October 20, 1950–October 2, 2017)

Today's reason to drink? It's Barley Day, Big Block of Cheese Day, Bigfoot Day, Day-O Day, Dogfather's Day, International Chefs Day, National Chicken and Waffles Day, National Day of Mezcal, National Eggo Day, World Butter Chicken Day & World Calvados Day brookston.short.gy/6Kze1j

Beer In Ads #5378: Er Is Weer Bokbier brookston.short.gy/qfaXcI

GABF 2006 Flashback: After the brewers reception at Wynkoop Wednesday night, most of us decamped to The Falling Rock. This is Tomme Arthur, Eric Rose (I think then with Santa Barbara Brewing), and Vinnie Cilurzo.

Belated Beer Birthday: John Tucci brookston.short.gy/AYd09m

Beer in Art #2105 Porter 39 — Bière Brune Incomparable (Incomparable Dark Beer for Les Brasseries Réunies de Maubeuge et Environs a.k.a. Brasserie du Pont Allant), by Jean de Saint-Géniès (St. Jean), c. 1940-50s (France)

Beer Birthday: Joe Wiebe brookston.short.gy/jbdgxq

Beer Birthday: Ron Pattinson brookston.short.gy/5TkLF3

Happy Birthday English polymath and author of varied works which reveal his wide learning in diverse fields including science, medicine, religion and the esoteric Thomas Browne (October 19, 1605–October 19, 1682)

Today's reason to drink? It's Change Your Life Day, Dress Like a Dork Day, Evaluate Your Life Day, Greasy Spoon Day, Int'l Gin and Tonic Day, Int'l Ska Day, National Seafood Bisque Day, Rainforest Day, Tomato Day, Try Not To Die Day & World Humanitarian Action Day brookston.short.gy/D3btrf

Beer In Ads #5377: Rieker's Bock Schnitzel Bank brookston.short.gy/BSAUuZ

GABF 2006 Flashback: After the brewers reception at Wynkoop Wednesday night, most of us decamped to The Falling Rock. This is Shaun O'Sullivan, Judy Ashworth and Chris Black enjoying the evening. Eagle-eyed viewers will notice Justin Crossley in profile behind Shaun.

Beer Birthday: Nick Galton-Fenzi brookston.short.gy/SGps45

Beer in Art #2104 Brunes ou Blondes, j'aime les Belges! (Browns or blonds, I love Belgians!), by A. van Mieghem & Co., of Ostend (Oostende), Belgium, c. 1950-60s (Belgium)

Beer Birthday: Chris Swersey brookston.short.gy/NOlMBK

Happy Birthday Japanese poet of the modern era Shigeji Tsuboi (October 18, 1897–September 4, 1975)

Today's reason to drink? It's All Nations Sunday, Brown Ale Day, Chocolate Cupcake Day, Hard Boiled Guy and B-Girl Day, Irony Day, Meatloaf Appreciation Day, National Comic Strip Appreciation Day, National Mashed Potato Day, No Beard Day & World Guitar Day brookston.short.gy/xDJ6G4

Beer In Ads #5376: 3 Hoefijzers Bok Bier brookston.short.gy/SvgrsU

GABF 2006 Flashback: After the brewers reception at Wynkoop Wednesday night, most of us decamped to The Falling Rock. The Rolling Boil Blues Band performed, featuring Tom Dalldorf and John Harris front and center. That was the Celebrator Beer News' parody band.

Beer in Art #2103 The Only Medicine I Ever Took (for Soames Spalding Ales), by Unknown Artist, 1925 (United Kingdom)

Beer Birthday: George Wendt brookston.short.gy/xTejst

Happy Birthday American author Wally Lamb (October 17, 1950- )

Today's reason to drink? It's Cake Decorating Day, Eggplant Day, Frabjous Day, Gaudy Day, Home Movie Day, International Archeology Day, International Real Vanilla Day, Loud Shirt Day, Mulligan Day, Pay Back a Friend Day, Raw Milk Cheese Day & World Pasta Day brookston.short.gy/S5z4fs

GABF 2006 Flashback: After the brewers reception at Wynkoop Wednesday night, most of us decamped to The Falling Rock. Up against the wall here is Stephen Beaumont and Judy Ashworth.

Historic Beer Birthday: Adeline Erisman Sprenger brookston.short.gy/cNP8un

Beer in Art #2102 Smithwick's Squirrel (for Smithwick's Irish Ale), by Pastiche, 2013 (United Kingdom)

Historic Beer Birthday: Santiago Graf brookston.short.gy/SBajwI

Happy Birthday Irish author, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde (October 16, 1854–November 30, 1900)

Today's reason to drink? It's Dictionary Day, Global Cat Day, Learn a Word Day, National ‘Don’t Click It’ Day, National Liqueur Day, National Mambo Sauce Day, National Sports Day, Restart A Heart Day, United Church of Bacon Day, World Bread Day & World Food Day brookston.short.gy/TyRcgR