Limelight

Not much culture in Wageningen? Not true! This time, Resource puts Wageningen’s writers, poets and brewers in the limelight.

Sampling beers while Wageningen authors read from their own work – that is Beer and Books. Bblthk manager Bastian de Pooter: ‘Beer and Books is an opportunity to sample beer and literature. The authors are local and so is the beer.’ The event is organized in partnership with brewery Stadsbrouwerij Wageningen and is held in café Rad van Wageningen, next door to the brewery.

The bblthk finds the authors by placing ads, through word of mouth and through the city poet selection process. ‘Two poets who competed for the city poet position last January are taking part in this Beer and Books,’ says De Pooter. ‘We like giving the stage to talented people who have yet to make their name.’

The stories can be about anything, on condition they start with the beer.

People who attend the event will get five different beers. There is a writer associated with each beer. Before guests are allowed to start sipping, Dennis Lebbing of Stadsbrouwerij will tell them about the beer. Then they can get drinking, and a local writer will take the stage. ‘The writers are told a few weeks in advance what “their” beer is so they can decide what they will be saying,’ says De Pooter. ‘The stories can be about anything, on condition they start with the beer. For example, we had someone who was assigned a honey beer and they talked about love on summers’ evenings. Some might have a very technical account about labels while others talk about why beer is good for the environment. The latter very much tongue in cheek, of course.’

The literary beer evenings attract a diverse public, both older people and youngsters who have just turned 18. ‘Students can be harder to reach,’ says De Pooter, although he wants them to come along. ‘And the price is very reasonable: 15 euros for five specialty beers plus a literary experience. You won’t find that anywhere else.’

Friday 22 March 2024
20:00 to 22:00 hrs
Café Rad van Wageningen, 1e Kloostersteeg 5
Tickets 15 euros

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