Fleurs Et Vin

The original “Party in the Park” was the brain child of two friends, Vail Miller Sr. of Heidelberg and Mike Frank of Arrow Wine.  With a mission of bringing wine out of just the wine cellars and homes of people to the general public, the idea of a wine festival was born.  Now 20 years later, Fleurs et Vin is the most anticipated, talked about and attend wine event in the Miami Valley.

On May 20, 2012, wine connoisseurs and novices alike will sample the best wines from around the world while enjoying culinary treats from 25 of the top restaurants in the region.  .  And if that isn’t enough to keep you busy, the band will be in full swing, the dance floor open and wonderful baskets available for bidding.

Not a wine drinker? Then feel free to hang out in our beer garden.  Featuring the best in Belgium Brews that are fast becoming favorites all over the United States.

You’ll be invited to sample Goose Island Fleur - Belgian style pale ale blended with hibiscus and kombucha tea, Fleur is a beautiful, rose-colored ale with an aroma of strawberries and hibiscus flowers. Her flavor balance starts with a hint of sweet, ripe berry and finishes tart. Or sip a Stella Artois, a European-style pilsner with an attractive golden color. Stella Artois has two important rituals that make it easy to recognize in a bar setting. The first is the 9-step pouring ritual. Servers of Stella Artois are supposed to follow these steps in order to ensure the perfect glass of beer. The second ritual is the chalice stemmed glass. This glass was made especially for Stella Artois and was crafted at the same time as the beer. The chalice shows that perfection has its price.  And you’ll even have the chance to take home a chalice. May we also suggest Leffe: Pronounced lef and brewed in Dinant, Belgium. Leffe, which was once brewed by monks, is a Belgium Abbey Ale first brewed at the “Notre Dame de Leffe” in 1152. Like Stella Artois, Leffe has a preferred glass to accompany the beer and was created specifically for and at the same time Leffe was first created. Leffe’s taste is sweet and silky with aromas of clove, vanilla and smoky caramel. With this beer you should remember to savor life, savor Leffe.  And of course we can’t leave out

Hoegaarden: Hoegaarden (whogarden) a Belgium white with a distinctive hazy, yellow color. It has aromas of coriander and orange. First brewed in Hoegaarden, Belguim this beer should be served in a chunky six-sided tumbler style glass. By the end of the 19th century the town of Hoegaarden had over 36 breweries and 2,000 residents. In 1985 Hoegaarden began shipping to the United States where it continues to grow in popularity.

New additions to the beer garden in 2012 will be Duvel- know as a devil of a beer- it’s a leading Belgian Strong Golden Ale.  Exuberant carbonation, huge rocky head, and clinging lace are famous Duvel trademarks, as is the signature glass designed just for this beer.  It’s lush aroma includes citrus, apple, hops and yeast.  The 8/5% ABV kicks in mid-palate warming to the end.

Hennepin is the leading Belgian-style Saison brewed in American.  It’s a hoppy, farmhouse-style ale inspirec by rustic farmstand brews imbibed on traditional Belgian farms during the long days of harvest season.  Hennepin’s champagne-like effervescence delivers a crisp, light-on-the-tongue finish.  Pours deep golden-yellow with a lush, full, fluffy white head.  Aromas of yeast and floral hops with spicy overtones; and flavors of lemon, grass, yeast and ginger, with a long medium-dry finish.

In 2001, the Chimay Triple on draught was developed and it became the fi rst Trappist Triple beer existing in keg. The beer’sflavour, as sensed in the mouth, comes from the smell of hops: above all it is the fruity notes of muscat and raisins that give this beer a particularly attractive aroma when served at a temperature of 42 to 46° F.The aroma complements the touch of bitterness. There is no acidity, but an after-bitterness which melts in the mouth. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle and in keg, is neither fi ltered nor pasteurized.