All About Beer: Since Belgium is unique in the beer world, what beers stood out and who you enjoyed them with?
Henry Biernacki: Trappist beers have an element of bliss brewed in them as monks have their hands in not only making it, but also in its distribution. Another Belgium beer I enjoy is Lambic and my favorite out of those are the Kriek (Mort Subite), which means sudden death.
It is the people with whom you share a drink and location that one remembers although some would argue the other way around—it is the drink that makes you remember the people and location. It was always easy to choose what I was going to order as Trappist beer is very smooth.
AAB: Where did you see this most take place? (Presumably not at all in the alcohol-free Muslim world, but if there was some privately, I’d love to hear about that).
Biernacki: People have invited me into their homes all over the world. They opened their homes to me like the skies opening up after a hard monsoon downpour. And do not let Muslims fool you! Some of them also enjoy the drink.
AAB: Now that you’re a pilot and it’s your job to visit foreign countries, does beer play a role in those visits? How, where, and which ones?
Biernacki: As a traveler, I rely on the help of unknown people to give me information and this is true about local customs, food, and drinks. I cross lands with the hope of getting some place, losing track where I want to go. Explore! I do not have a compass turning to a new destination but rather a limited vision to an open horizon. I am truly free as the needle of that compass spinning out of control. I want it to spin forever.
My choice of beer is great and expansive because of my travels. And while I will occasionally indulge in the local beers of a country, my main indulgence and preference is for Belgium beers.
