Brasserie de Vezelay - Saint-Père

You won't ecpecr it, but you get a great meal. The Boeuf Bourgignon is huge, if you can finish it , i can't and i wanted it. Take the housewine on the terras

Tucked away downhill from the village of Vezelay in the village of St. Pere, Vezelay is brewing some certified organic (according to French law) beers in accordance with the 1516 Rienhotsgobot German purity law. Precision-brewed regular beers include a light crisp lager, a classic blonde, a refined interpretation of an IPA, a fine raisiny amber, a uniquely smoked brune (think peat whisky..!), and a luscious coffee stout. The brewery distributes its beers in regional shops as well as other parts of the country, but the real experience is best paired with the air and views had in St. Pere at their brewery/shop, where you find the best deals on their beers, or up the hill in Vezelay with a great view of the surrounding countryside.Oh, and several of their beers are national award-winners, so if you don’t think it’s worth the trip, you might want to think again….

I stayed on the camping site in the neighborhood and ended up there by coincidence. They have a great variety of splendid food and appetizers. On the night I was there, a band was playing. As a Belgian I can only subscribe the statement that the beer they offer is splendid.

We held an event for 40 people at Brasserie de Vezelay in April this year (2014). We also bought their amazing beer to serve at our wedding later that week. We could not have been happier with our choices.The brewery itself is amazing.The surrounds, beer and location are all second to none. We loved every minute we were there. The beer is exceptional and varied but let that speak for itself when you visit. The views and surroundings (beside a gurgling river, surrounded by fields and forest, all dominated by the hilltop, UNESCO world heritage listed, Basilica de St Magdalene) are amazing. I don't know if the beer helps you enjoy the surroundings more or if the surroundings help you enjoy the beer more but either way, it definitely works.It takes a lot of organising to make an event for 40 friends work as well as organise beer for a wedding. Marc was incredible at helping organise everything (via email and phone, in perfect English) and make everything seem effortless, inviting and bespoke. He and his team organised a delicious bbq style lunch buffet for us, offered a tour (for those who wanted it - I was quite happy where I was) and generally made everyone feel like they belonged. Thankfully the weather, as well as the beer, was on tap so we lazed around on the lawn area soaking up the sun, brews, views and ambience.It truly was an enviable experience and one I am very happy I shared with my family, friends and fiance (now wife).I can't hesitate to recommend the Brasserie de Vezelay for any circumstance that an ambient, catering, micro-brewery in the middle of the Burgundian countryside, surrounded by nature, history and stunning views might befit.Thank God I dropped in for a look around one day and thank you Marc for all your professional and personal touches.I'll be back when I can be.

Disclaimer: As a part time resident of Saint-Pere-sous-Vezelay I have a vested interest in the future success of this microbrewery so that I can continue to come here to enjoy the beer. The Brasserie de Vezelay, which dared to open in what is a Burgundy wine district at a location a few minutes from the nearest wine tasting rooms, is primarily a brewery and secondarily a restaurant, with just a few snacks available. Of these the plate of charcuterie and cheese is the most satisfactory and large enough for two as a snack or appetizer. Plates of just charcuterie or cheese are also available. Steak et Frites is sometimes available at special music events.The brewery started only in 2012 and currently (August 2013) offers five beers, all organic, unfilted ales, and all very different. Although they are brewed according to the German purity law which allows no other ingridents than grain, hops, wheat and yeast, none of the beers can be categorized as typical German. "La Blanche", the wheat beer (my favorite) can best described as a hybrid of German Hefeweizen, Belgian Wit/Blanche and American Wheat Beer (i.e. more hoppy). "La Blonde" is a golden ale that will satisfy both a Belgian and a Brit (it is my English neighbors favorite). "La Brune" is perhaps a hybrid of Scottish Brown Ale and German dark Bock, quite malty. "L'Ambrée" is, well, amber and has a nice balance of malt and hops. All of these are available on tap at the brewery, Then there finally is the latest addition, "l'IPA", which is available on bottle only and which I shall not comment on since I am no fan of IPAs. Sample tasting is offered.The prices at the brewery, whether on tap or by the bottle (available for take-away), can best be described as whole-sale and less expensive than when enjoyed at restaurants, of which an increasing number offers the Vezelay brews, particularly "la Blanche" which seems to have become the most popular one. An outside, sunny terrace offers a filtered view of the Cure river and of Vezelay up there on top of the hill.