Today is the 53rd birthday of Luc De Raedemaeker, who’s the Tasting Director for the Brussels Beer Challenge, the Dutch Beer Challenge and also the owner of BIERinhuis. I first met Luc in D.C. when Stephen Beaumont introduced us during CBC, and then we judged together in Japan several years ago, and I’ve also been privileged to judge at the BBC the last several years. We generally run into one another several times a year, both in the states and in Belgium, and he’s always fun to share a beer or three with. Earlier this summer, his family stayed with us for a week while they were on vacation in the states, and had a grand time. Join me in wishing Luc a very happy birthday.

Luc with Jan Smets at Brouwerij Het Anker in Mechelen at an event in November of 2013.

Luc at Brasserie Bahnhove in Belgium with Lisa Morrison and Mark Campbell in November of 2015. [photo by Bart Van der Perre.]

Luc, second from the right, at the World Beer Cup in Denver a few years ago.

Judging in Japan in 2013. Luc is in the back row, right next to me on the left.

Luc and me at a beer dinner at Belga Queen in Brussels several years ago.

Wearing the Belmont Crown during CBC in Portland a couple of years back.

At our home a few summers ago, with the Belgium beer flag flying during his visit.