Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Brâva Vela: Passion for Local Craft Beer in the Belleville Valley
27-06-2024 in Art of livingCombining expertise and creativity, the Brâva Vela microbrewery offers unique beers that reflect the authentic character of our beautiful Savoyard region.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Brâva Vela
If the Belleville Valley is renowned for its striking landscapes and outdoor activities, its culinary heritage is equally impressive. Brâva Vela, a microbrewery nestled in a former goat farm at Le Châtelard, is well worth a visit. Founded by Julien and Sophie Arto, this craft brewery was born from a shared passion for beer and a deep respect for local traditions.
The Inner Workings of Brâva Vela: An Artisanal and Eco-Friendly Process
At Brâva Vela, beer production is executed with artisanal precision, blending tradition and eco-friendly practices. The variety of malts, the purity of Alpine water, the selection of hops, and the use of specific yeasts give each beer a unique flavor palette.
Brâva Vela is committed to using local, organic raw materials. By favoring plant-based ingredients and excluding any artificial substances, Julien and Sophie offer beers that respect both traditional brewing methods and the expectations of today's hop enthusiasts.
Moreover, the microbrewery collaborates with the Savoyard artisan maltery Malt'inPott and French hop producers, primarily Houblons Du Moulin in Ain. This ensures the quality of the ingredients and supports the local economy while reducing the ecological footprint. The brewery's water circuit is even optimized to save energy, and production residues (like spent grains) are recycled into animal feed by local farmers. Finally, Brâva Vela favors short supply chains for distributing its beverages: in the shops of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Menuires, or Val Thorens. The goal? To minimize environmental impact as much as possible.
Portrait of the Founders: Where Passion Meets Science
Julien and Sophie Arto form a complementary and passionate duo. Each brings their skills and vision to the brewery. Before embarking on the Brâva Vela adventure, Julien worked in the restaurant industry, where he developed a keen taste for culinary arts. It was while experimenting in his mother's kitchen that he began brewing his first beers, a hobby that quickly turned into a passion.
Sophie, a trained doctor, adds an essential scientific dimension to the creation of the beers. Together, they blend culinary art and biochemistry to produce unique flavors. This complementarity is key to their success.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Discover the Beers of Brâva Vela: A Rich Range of Flavors
The name of the microbrewery, Brâva Vela, is no coincidence. In Savoyard dialect, 'Bela Vela' or 'Brâva Vela' means the Vallée des Belleville ('the Belleville Valley') a direct tribute to this authentic territory. The beers created in this brewery reflect the region and embody its various landscapes. Each of their creations is crafted with care, to offer a diversity of flavors that will delight all palates.
- La Belleville is a light and golden blonde beer. With its four types of malt, it releases subtle notes of biscuit and grains. With an alcohol content of 4.4%, it is perfect for those looking for a refreshing drink, yet full of character. Looking for a beer and food pairing? Julien and Sophie recommend enjoying La Belleville with a delicious farm chicken.
- La Thorens, a white beer that won the International Competition of Lyon, is a true star of the brewery. Its freshness and delicate lemon and elderflower aromas make it an ideal choice to accompany buttery white fish dishes or other sea-flavored dishes.
- La Masse, a beer with intense and complex aromas. A dark beer with notes of coffee and chocolate, perfect to accompany chocolate desserts or a charcuterie board with Beaufort cheese from the high pastures.
- The IPA 1350 is a hoppy and refreshing beer, brewed at an altitude of 1350 meters in Le Châtelard. Its subtle balance between the bitterness of the hops and their pronounced aromas makes it ideal to accompany spicy dishes or to enjoy as an aperitif.
- La Crève-Tête, the latest addition, is a triple beer, fermented with oak chips. Like the white beer, it has already received the silver medal at the International Competition of Lyon in 2024.
And as each season inspires the imagination of our brewers in the Belleville valley, you can also enjoy limited edition seasonal beers. Examples? La Framboisette, a fruity white beer with raspberry or La Fondante, a chocolate raspberry stout.
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
Activities and Events Not to Miss at Brâva Vela
Eager to explore the inner workings of the microbrewery? Discover the values and production methods of Brâva Vela during a guided tour.
Julien and Sophie also offer brewing workshops to share their passion with all curious individuals. Join us at the microbrewery to discover the entire manufacturing process, from the selection of raw materials to bottling. Under the brewers' supervision, you will be able to create your own brew and leave with 20 L of your personalized beer.
In July 2024, don't miss the 9th edition of the Craft Beer Festival of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. Scheduled for July 26 and 27 this year, this summer event will feature tastings, workshops, animations, contests, and concerts over two days. This is the perfect opportunity to meet Julien and Sophie Arto of Brâva Vela, the 2023 Public Choice Award winners for their blonde beer, La Belleville.
More Information
- Brâva Vela Craft Microbrewery
- Address: 280 Rue du Saviu, 73440 Les Belleville
- Email: julien@bravavela.fr
- Sales onsite: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.
- Visits by appointment from June 15 to September 30.
