Award-Winning Brewmaster's Steven Pauwels & Gordon Schuck

Join me for what I expect to be the first in a series of events about saisons.  We will discover the exciting aspect of terroir found in these unique beers.  Terroir is a French word that refers to the impact the local geography, climate, and soil composition contribute to the unique flavors of the local food and beverage. It is, in a sense, the greatest expression of a place.   Brewmaster's Steven Pauwels and Gordon Schuck will explore Saison's terroir, history, and how modern examples have evolved into specialty beers.  In addition, they'll discuss the divergence of Classic Saisons and Specialty Saisons among American brewers.

How Saisons have evolved from its rustic farmhouse origins into its current flavor profile

The divergence of Classic Saison and Specialty Saison among American brewers

How malts, yeasts, and water all contribute to the terroir of the beer

Question and Answer: Steven and Gordon will answer your questions in the second half.

Reed "thank you from all the beer geeks of the world! This is a priceless event"

Michael: "This was an outstanding discussion/presentation"

Erin: "I can't thank you enough, - cheers to you!"

During his 22 years at Boulevard Brewing Company, Steven Pauwels has overseen all aspects of brewing and quality control as the regional craft brewer’s sales have more than quadrupled during his time at the brewery. Pauwels is also responsible for more than a dozen additions to Boulevard’s brand lineup, including the critically acclaimed Smokestack Series line of artisanal beers.

Pauwels grew up steeped in the brewing industry. His first stint in the business came with summer work at his hometown brewery, Eeklo’s Brouwerij Krüger, where his father held a job. After receiving degrees in Biochemical Engineering from KaHo Sint-Lieven and in Business Administration from Mercator, both in Ghent, Belgium, he held positions at the Domus brewpub in Louvain and at RIVA brewery in Dentergem.

Gordon Schuck has a background in Electrical Engineering and spent 14 years in the bike industry, building titanium bicycle frames. He was inspired to begin home-brewing in 2002 (by one of his favorite Belgian beers, Celis White) and started building his own recipes. Five years later, he won a gold medal at the National Homebrew Competition in 2007 for his Saison. With this major win, he decided to pursue brewing full-time, and in 2009 he graduated from the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago and the Doemans Academy in Munich with a diploma in Brewing Science. Along with Brad Lincoln, Gordon Schuck started Funkwerks in December 2010.

Discovering Saison's Terroir - Boulevard & Funkwerks