Belgium Beer Trip

Going from Westvleteran to De Struise on Saturday is one of the best 1-2 punches in Belgium. The only other one I really enjoyed as much is Drie Fountenien to Cantillon. Eat at Drie Fountenien then go around the corner to the shop. Then head up the road to Cantillon.

 

Try this place in Paris for some good beers

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4482/?view=beerfly

I've had lunch here while in Paris, not really a beer destination but worth a visit. The wife may like it since it's a non beer day for her.

 

I've just come back from a week in Belgium, been many times love it dearly. Drank a lot of beer and visited a few breweries. However, Belgium is an extraordinary country wonderful architecture, art, History and full of natural beauty OP if you have any interests other than beer, Surely you do right? try and see some other stuff that interests you. Respect beer, but also respect the country you are visiting Beer is just one of the many virtues of Belgium!

 

Given your one day in Brussels, I'd skip Delirium Cafe entirely. It's a waste of your time. Drunk kids and college bar atmosphere. Both Bier Circus and Moeder Lambic are far better. You'll barely have enough time to do those two justice. Sit at bar at the back of Bier Circus so you can talk with owner Patrick and other patrons. Ask him about any unusual beers not on the list.

 

I'm pretty much stealing everything from this thread.

Cantillon & 3F on Friday November 15th. Then DeStruisse at night.

Saturday - De molen tasting with the brewer set up by a gracious Belgium BA - bartjebeergeek. This is going to be awesome. If any other Belgium Ba's will be attending in this thread I look forward to meeting you all.

Wednesday November 20th - Visiting hopefully Bier Circus and Moeder Lambic

 

Seconded on this, delirium is pretty dreadful and Delices and Caprices have shut down so no reason to go to that part of town. Moeder Lambic is good but despite having 40 taps other than Cantillon beers on cask I found little to get too excited about.

 

There's no accounting for personal taste. Went to Bier Circus yesterday for the first time and was pretty under-whelmed by the selection although I did have a fresh Belle-Fleur that I really enjoyed.

The clowns were a total buzz-kill. I hate clowns.

 

When did Delices shut down?

 

No idea I went there this time last week after Cantillon, the shutters were down and the shelves were empty.

 

I'am also there and Thijs Brabander also!!!

 

Look forwarding to meeting you both. Make sure Bart shares all the Heady topper with you that I am bringing

 

The clown motif in a few signs totally put you off? You're correct that there's no accounting for taste.
There are several hundred beers on the list. Why do you consider it "underwhelming"? Did you ask about beers not on the list?

 

As pointed out many of these places are not set up for tours or visits by individuals without an appointment, For Rodenbach for example see this link. http://www.palm.be/en/er_formulierRodenbach.php Boon will likely not do it unless you are with a group, For Duvel http://www.duvel.com/en/visit-duvel. I've lent my Good beer guide to Belgium book by Tim Webb out to be able to check on the visit status of your itinery but if you can get a copy it tells you if a brewery allows visits and gives tours and if so when. As much as they should be set up for tourism Belgian breweries are not, that just isn't their culture. Get the book, it will save you a lot of frustration from showing up at places and being turned away. http://www.booksaboutbeer.com/collections/belgium/products/good-beer-guide-belgium

 

The Kulminator is closed starting tomorrow due to emergency knee surgery for the owner, hopefully he is back on his feet by April!

I will also be there! Can't wait!

 

Count me in as well!

 

FACEBOOK !!

 

It shows they will only be closed for 1 week. Hopefully that is the case. I planned on going on November 20th or 21st.