Planet Smashers Live at Le Trou Du Diable!
A few weeks ago, I had the great honor of representing Hill Farmstead at Le Trou du Diable during an amazing weekend celebrating both the 11th anniversary of TdD, but also the release of the long-awaited beer Argan, the creation of which I'd been lucky enough to be a part. Three years ago, almost to the day, we gathered at the pub brewery in beautiful Shawinigan, Que., to brew a gluten-free beer that we all hoped would be the benchmark for all gluten-free beers.
The day was ridiculous and fantastic.
A 7-hour mash, a 13-hour brew day in total, and then... a beer that went into wine barrels for 2 years, and then conditioned in the bottles for a full year. There's a bit of poetry in the full length time it took to come to fruition.
So, flash forward from a day of brewing, delivery poutine, and so much dough-balling to a true celebration. Not only was Le Trou du Diable—one of my favorite places on earth—celebrating its 11th anniversary but we would finally release this damnable beer, one that have given us unending problems on brewday, one which then took its sweet time to evolve towards what we knew it could become.
And boy howdy, did it come around. The nose... oh, the aroma. It's gloriously reminiscent of the greatest gueuze you'll encounter in Belgium—it's joyful. Oh, and it's gluten-free. Did we mention that? This is the sort of 7% abv beer that would likely get you into trouble.
During the weekend, Le Trou du Diable's Wabaso Shop hosted an evening of live music, including The Boids and The Planet Smashers. What a fantastic evening of music. A packed house, taps flowing and energy—so much joyful energy.
My thanks to the entire TdD team, but especially my friends Isaac and André, who have both been more gracious than any person has a right to be blessed. To you both, I say slanté et merci beaucoup un million de fois.
