Merchant du Vin is the brainchild of Charles Finkel, who founded the company in 1978. Having observed the emergence of a consumer market for fine wines in America during the ‘60s and ‘70s, Finkel believed a similar audience must exist for beers of distinction and decided to put his theory to the test.

From Finkel’s perspective, fine beer should be sold much like fine wine. Thus, the goal of Merchant du Vin is to educate the consumer and arouse curiosity as to the differences among styles. Finkel identified two dozen classic styles of beer and set about to find the definitive examples of each. Consequently, all Merchant du Vin beers are artisanal products — meaning they are naturally made, without chemicals, additives, or preservatives.

Merchant du Vin beer brands

Rochefort Trappistes

The Abbey of St-Remy, in the southern part of Belgium, was founded in 1230. Monks began to brew beer there around 1595. Rochefort Trappistes, the abbey brewery, is one of only six Trappist breweries in the world and makes full-bodied, deeply flavored dark ales. Rochefort Trappistes Beer 8 is vigorous and complex, with firm body to support the strength and aromas of fresh fruit, spice, leather, and figs. Rochefort Trappistes Beer 10’s strength is balanced by a firm malt backbone. Its bouquet features port wine, leather, apricots, oak, and spices.

Ayinger

Ayinger Brewery was founded in a picturesque village 25 kilometers from Munich in 1878. Ayinger beers are characterized by their delicious, balanced maltiness, a rarity for beers of Munich. The main brewery in Aying produces bottom-fermented beers such as the golden Jahrhundert-Bier, the brown Altbairisch Dunkel and the elixir-like Celebrator Dopplebock. Weizen beer (wheat beer) is the recognized specialty of the house and includes the pale Brau-Weisse and the amber Ur-Weisse. Aying also brews festival beers such as the slightly sweet Oktober Fest.

Pinkus-Muller

The Pinkus-Muller brewery traces its origins to the founding family’s move to the north German town of Munster in 1816. It is the world’s first brewery to make beer with only organically grown barley malt and whole hop blossoms. The pale, golden Pinkus Munster Alt exudes an herbaceous aroma, delicate fruit-acid palate, and long dry finish. The Pinkus Pilsner is light to medium in body with a clean hop and malt character. The light-bodied Pinkus Weizen is a crisp, dry and spritzy filtered beer with just a touch of Bavarian wheat fruit character.

Samuel Smith

Founded in the market town of Tadcaster in 1758, Samuel Smith is one of the few remaining independent breweries in England. The rich Samuel Smith strain of yeast at The Old Brewery dates back to the early 1900s. Hops are hand-weighed by the master hop blender, and the brewing water is drawn from a well sunk over 200 years ago. All the beers are vegan, and the ale and lager styles are certified organic. Deep chocolate in color, the Imperial Stout features a scented and roasted barley nose. A restrained maltiness characterizes the India Pale Ale, while a palate of hazelnuts distinguishes the Nut Brown Ale. Samuel Smith also offers an Oatmeal Stout, Taddy Porter and the Winter Welcome, a vintage, amber-colored beer with tiny bubbles and a floral aroma.

Lindemans

Nationwide, Lindemans is the bestselling brand in the lambic (i.e., spontaneously fermented) category, which includes dry, aperitif-like beers, full-bodied dinner beers and fruity dessert beers. Colorful and featuring a thick, foamy head, Lindemans fruit-flavored beers make delightful additions to any celebration. Lindemans Farm Brewery of Belgium blends the lambic and fresh fruit to make cassis (black currant), framboise (raspberry), and pêche (peach) beers. For kriek, whole cherries are added to the casks, triggering a third fermentation that gives the finished beverage an effervescent, Champagne-like quality.