STEAM (BREWERY)

Saison Pipaix, Vapeur en Folie, Vapeur Cochonne The Brasserie à Vapeur at Pipaix, about 10 miles from Tournai, is a typical example of an old farm-brewery. It was built in 1783 and the steam engine ("machine à vapeur") after which it is now named was installed in 1896.The current owners, Jean-Louis Dits and his wife, bought the brewery in 1983, a few years after its previous owner had hung up his mashing rake.Getting the brewery working again was no easy task as the equipment and buildings were very run-down, but a few months later, the first brew appeared.Dits started out using traditional brewing techniques to produce classic local beers, including Saison Pipaix, a traditional Walloon beer born - as the website has it - with the brewery in 1783. He has since installeda certain amount of modern equipment which allows him to produce beer more in tune with contemporary taste. First made in 1992, Vapeur Cochonne (look for the pig on the label!) is a dark 9% amber beer. It is the brewery's "standard" beer and also the most brewed. Saison de Pipaix (golden, dry, spicy, 6% abv) continues in production alongside it and both have been joined by Vapeur en Folie (8%, a strong, golden ale) and Vapeur Légère (5%, a dry, golden ale). All beers are top-fermented.In addition to his usual range, Dits regularly makes a number of other brews, in limited quantities and using some less usual ingredients: a pumpkin beer, for example, or a beer made with fig leaves which was called Vapeur de Bise. Bise is the French word for "kiss" and the label featured a pair of rather striking red lips. One last product - not beer this time - is Esprit de Vapeur Cochonne, made by distilling Vapeur Cochonne and diluting it with some of the beer. It is 40% proof.Tastings are organised at the brewery and on the last Saturday of the month, visitors are welcome to go and watch the beer being brewed.