Last Foreign Drinks

We are having some of our last foreign drinks until 2009. Last night we had friends visit from Cincinnati, so we went for something special. First was a very nice Brut Champagne from France followed by an Italian Prosecco (sparkling wine) and finished by Lindeman's Cassis Lambic from Belgium. I also picked up a 4-pack of La Fin Du Monde by Unibroue of Quebec, Canada. I'll miss all these drinks in the coming year, but there are some nice American equivalents.

Champagne and Italian sparkling wine - Several excellent sparkling wines are available from the wonderful vineyards in California. Korbel is common, but actually quite good in their Extra Dry variety. It is also not too expensive for those worried about cost.

Belgian Fruit Lambics - Lambic is tricky, and I have had no great success trying to create it in my homebrewing practices. Domestic Lambics are available, but they tend to be fairly different from their European counterparts. A good alternative are any of the fruit wheat beers produced by American breweries. They tend to be less sour, but are fruity and refreshing like a Belgian Lambic.

La Fin Du Monde (End fo the World) - This is a Belgian-style Trippel brewed in Canada. Several US breweries make Belgian Trippels. My two favorites are Ommegang and Allagash. Ommegang is located in Cooperstown, NY, and Allagash comes from Portland, ME. Both breweries distribute their beers widely and maintain excellent quality in their entire product line.