Alexander and Shapiro at Borefts Beer Festival in Holland

The Alexander and the Shapiro Breweries were exhibiting side-by-side at the  Borefts Craft Beer Festival in Holland.

For the first time, Israeli craft beer was represented at the famous Borefts Beer Festival in Bodegraven, Holland.  

Not one, but two Israeli craft breweries participated: Alexander from Emek Hefer and Shapiro from Beit Shemesh.  The only other breweries (24) were European: Holland, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Latvia, Norway, France, Portugal, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Romania and Estonia.  

Borefts is an annual event since 2011, sponsored by and held at the De Molen Brewery.  It attracts thousands of visitors over a two-day period (this year September 22-23), and harnesses plenty of media and professional attention.  

I asked Dani Shapiro, Assistant CEO of his eponymous brewery, why he chose to exhibit at Borefts.  

"Actually, they invited us," he answered.  "They wanted to diversify the exhibiting breweries with something new, and I guess they had heard of Israel's craft beer scene.

"I think we represented Israeli craft beer very honorably."

The Shapiro Brewery stand at the  Borefts Craft Beer Festival in Holland: Brothers Itzik and Dani Shapiro.

Dani was very impressed with the festival's planning and organization.  "They contacted us way back in March to make sure that everything would be ready in time.  All of our beer and equipment was shipped to Holland early – and when we got there, all we had to do was hook up the kegs and start to pour.  They put us up for three nights in a hotel."

Dani went with his brother Itzik, CEO of the brewery.

"The European visitors," he continued, "appreciated our special beers, like Jack's Winter Ale, made with whisky, and Barrista beer, brewed with added coffee.  But they also liked our regular line of beer: Pale Ale, IPA and Strong Sour.

"I got the impression that European craft brewers are finding it difficult to reach a balance between extreme beers and the classical styles.  This has led to some European craft breweries closing.  In Israel, we are more conservative and have achieved that balance.  We also have a stronger survival instinct!"

Alexander brewers Gili Tavory and  Lior Balmas with a happy visitor at the Borefts Craft Beer Festival.

Ori Sagy, CEO of the Alexander Brewery was also at the Borefts Festival.  "It was a good opportunity to hear the thoughts of beer lovers outside of Israel," he told me.  "We got a fantastic response and compliments from the attendees.  The De Molen Brewery treated us like honored guests.

"I also think it is important to have a presence at overseas festivals to spread the knowledge that Israel is not just guns and camels, but also fine craft beer."