Sonark Farms: Where Music and Beer Find a Home

Meanwhile Back at the Bar

Dreams and music are great, but let's not forget our chief subject here: BEER.

The Bar(n) serves an extensive selection of craft beers, along with wine and cocktails. I'd been looking for an excuse to visit Sonark Farms for several months after hearing that it might have the best selection of Belgian beers in the state. I was not disappointed! The menu features 35 Belgian beers, mostly available in bottles. All four of the Belgian Trappist breweries — Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, and Westmalle — are on the list, along with notable non-Trappist breweries such as Rodenbach, Leffe, Delirium Tremens, and Straffe Hendrick. North Carolina breweries aren't overlooked, either, with Sonark featuring beers from Burial, Wicked Weed, and nearby Carolina Brewery.

With a beer menu that reads like a compendium of some of the world's most highly regarded beers, choosing what to drink was no easy task. Rebecca was the designated driver that evening and was also taking medication for a cold, so I was the only one drinking. Had we been with a larger group, I would have opted for one of the curated Belgian beer flights, which include five bottles accompanied by kielbasa and Gouda cheese for around $50. Given my circumstances, I settled on two Rochefort Trappist beers: the Dubbel, known as "6," and the Quadrupel, or "10." At 7.5% and 11.3% ABV, respectively, they provided more than enough variety—and strength—to round out my evening.

I chose Rochefort because it was the only Trappist brewery I hadn't previously sampled. I was especially interested in trying the Dubbel because Rebecca and I had recently homebrewed that style, and I wanted to compare our version with two benchmarks: Rochefort 6 and Chimay Red. Spoiler alert: both the 6 and the 10 were amazing! Simply put, they were outstanding representations of their respective styles.

The Basics

Location: 5292 Sonark Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Parking: Ample free parking on site

Website: sonarkfarms.com

Social media: Facebook, Instagram

Vibe/Atmosphere: Rustic, refined, contemporary, warm, inviting, understated

Beers We Tried: Rochefort 6 Trappist Dubbel, Rochefort 10 Trappist Quad

Important NC Beer Explorer Tip: When consuming alcohol, always have a designated driver. Be safe out there, friends! Follow these simple tips for safer consumption.

Steven's Story – and Ours

We were fortunate enough to meet and chat with Steven during our visit. When I first introduced myself, he was talking with a couple at a high-top near the bar. After I explained who we were and told him how excited we were to visit, one of the guests he was chatting with apparently mistook me for a Belgian beer expert and asked for a recommendation. I was flattered, but quickly redirected the question to Steven, who was standing right there and was, of course, far better equipped to offer guidance on the subject.

During the band's intermission, we had an opportunity to spend more time talking with him. I was curious about what led him to focus on a recording studio and concert venue, given his background in finance. He explained that he'd been playing in bands since he was very young, and that many of his friends had gone on to become professional musicians. He chose a career in finance, but music had always remained his chief passion.

His change of direction made perfect sense to us. Before retiring, Rebecca and I pursued careers in technical sales and information design. Now that we've stepped away from the corporate world, we spend much of our time traveling to places like Sonark Farms, where beer and music are on the menu.

We're fortunate that people like Steven—and the many brewers and brewery owners we've met since we began documenting our adventures—have helped make our own dreams come true. In their own ways, they've created places where people can gather, share their passions, and enjoy the things that make life richer. Sonark Farms is a particularly fine example.

Dream On

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you had the means to create the ultimate hangout for friends, family, and your extended community? If I had such good fortune, I might create a dream clubhouse complete with a concert stage, massive video screens, and a bar stocked with some of the world's best beers.

As it turns out, Steven Raets of Sonark Farms has beaten me to the punch. He's created a musical retreat that includes a world-class recording and sound production studio—which is perfectly fine by me, since I might not quite have the capital to finance a similar enterprise.

Before relocating with his family from Belgium to North Carolina in 2012, Steven had already established a successful career in the global financial industry. With the resources to pursue a different kind of dream, he purchased a 63-acre farm in Orange County. Then he set about creating a state-of-the-art creative complex for musicians and media producers in a pastoral setting. He coined the name "Sonark" to convey the concept of a sonic safe haven.

The hospitality wing of the farm is known as The Bar(n), home to the concert stage, event space, and bar, where we spent our evening. The beautifully renovated space accommodates about 100 people, with an ample stage and an impressive array of dedicated sound equipment for the many bands that perform there. On this particular evening, our friend and drummer Barry Bates was playing with The Hoots, and they sounded spectacular! The band was in great form, and the space's acoustics were remarkably good for a venue of its size and construction.

Listening to The Hoots play originals and covers was... a hoot, of course.

The menu at Sonark features 35 Belgian beers, mostly available in bottles.

If I look happy sitting next to Steven Raets with a beer in my hand, it's because I was!

NCBE's Beer Notes - Sonark Farms

• Trappistes Rochefort 6

  • Style: Belgian Dubbel

  • ABV: 7.5%

  • Color: Copper brown, hazy, modest beige foam head which dissipated after about 5 minutes.

  • Aroma: Caramel, banana, sweet, a little musty

  • Taste: Mirrors aroma plus fig, clove

  • Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium/light carbonation

  • Aftertaste: Long, semi-dry, fruit and spice

  • Overall: Refined, delicious. A great Dubbel!

• Trappistes Rochefort 10

  • Style: Belgian Quad

  • ABV: 11.3%

  • Color: Dark brown, turbid, medium beige foam head which quickly dissipated

  • Aroma: Banana bread, dark caramel

  • Taste: Banana bread, dates, cherries, molasses, caramel,

  • Mouthfeel: Full body, smooth, med/light carbonation

  • Aftertaste: Long journey to semi-dry dark fruit.

  • Overall: One of the best beers I have ever tasted. Hides its high ABV beneath incredible depth, and complexity.

What sort of "dream clubhouse" would you build? Or have you built?