Sant!

(The French Ardennes brewing heritage and a chance to brew your own)

It might like to describe itself as Cest l'authentique ("The real thing"), but when it
comes to a drink which truly epitomises the French Ardennes, then it's beer (rather
than Coke, or wine) which makes this Probably the best destination in France.
The French Ardennes lays claim to a long list of things which make it so distinctive:
northern Europe's largest fortress, in Sedan; its renowned ham, Jambon des
Ardennes de France; the legendary landscape of the Meuse and Semoy valleys; its
puppets and its poets; and even a fleet of colourful 2CVs which visitors can use to
tour the region - to name but a few.
But it is the locally brewed beer which helps to make this part of France truly stand
out from the crowd in a country much better known for its wines.
Part of the reason is its geographic location. That, plus the fact that in the days
when the water of the area was unfit for consumption, the local population drew on
its apples to make cider, and locally grown barley and hops for beer.
By the time of the industrial revolution, there were 283 breweries in 104 towns and
cities of The French Ardennes. But many of these were destroyed during the First
World War, and the shortage of manpower which followed meant that few were
rebuilt.
The Ardennes tradition for brewing good quality beer was reintroduced during the
1950s when the Grand Brasserie Ardennaise (GBA) was created in Sedan, and its
beers once again started to sell throughout much of northern France. But after its
closure in the 1970s it seemed like a part of The French Ardennes' history and
heritage had been lost forever.
Since the turn of the 21st century, however, there has been a gradual re-emergence
of locally brewed ales.
Charleville-Mzires is now 'home' to several micro-breweries. l'Oubliette and
Arduinna, for example, can both be enjoyed in the bar where it is produced along
the River Meuse, as well as in other bars and terraces all over the French Ardennes.

A more recent addition is the award winning Ardwen beer, brewed at the Brasserie
Ardwen in Launois-sur-Vence, which also now offers visitors the chance to learn
more about how it is made.
And in Warcq, the Brasserie dArthur (www.brasserie-d-arthur.com) is a place where
visitors are able to taste a constantly changing range of beers. Few people leave
here without several bottles tucked safely under their arms.
And from this year, visitors to the French Ardennes have the chance to join a beer
brewing class, which includes live demonstrations along with expert advice from a
qualified instructor.
Located in Le Clos Belle Rose in Haybes, these Brew Your Own Beer classes even
give participants to take home a very special take-out souvenir - several bottle of
freshly brewed beer! (For full details, visit http://www.ardennes.com/microbrasserie-du-clos-belle-rose/haybes/tabid/22538/offreid/089bdef8-73f8-448b-bc06651ca10bbb23/detail.aspx).
The Haybes-based micro-brewery also formed a novel link to the English town of
Stockport recently, by brewing a special ale called Stockport & Haybes to mark the
100th anniversary of the day the French town was decimated at the start of WWI.
Stockport was one of the English towns which pledged to help rebuild Haybes - an
act which has never been forgotten in The French Ardennes.
Visitors looking for other true flavours of L'Authentique France, meanwhile, will find
a host of farmer's markets, festivals and events, aimed at highlighting some of the
region's best-known food and drink.
For further information about the shortbreak packages, accommodation, festivals
and events - from the World Puppet Festival in Charleville-Mzires in September,
to the Onion Fair in Givet in November - visit http://gb.ardennes.com.
Ends
For press information, please contact:
Djamila Daoud
T: +33 3 24 56 67 77
E: daoud@ardennes.com