Hi, I am visiting breweries around Brussels, and I was planning on lunch at 3 Fonteinen next week, but just learned they will be closed. I was already going to be in the area visiting the Boon brewery earlier in the morning. Would you guys think lunch at De Cam is a good replacement for 3 Fonteinen? Any other suggestions? Thanks.
Haven't eaten at De Cam and not sure I've been there at a meal time to even say I've scoped the goods... but even if it's a bar-first sort of place (whereas 3F's restaurant was the original point of the place, and is surely still the bulk of their visitors), obviously they're set up to feet you. And I gather your point is not to find a correct Belgian rabbit with prunes, but to check out a great place to have some gueuze -- so, bam, you're in. I don't think there'd be another place with as much food available.
Wait, just checking: when you see 3F is closed, you did check the restaurant hours and not the brewery/store? I mention just b/c they keep different days and hours.
De Cam is a great place to visit. Very good food (the typical flemish stuff) and of course the lambics of De Cam from tap. Also a lot of other geuzes and Krieks available.
It sounds like you are interested in visiting brewing/blending facilities so you should know that there is a cafe called De Cam and the blender De Cam which are on the same square in Gooik. I've had great experiences visiting De Cam (the blender). Note that it is only open (most) Sundays from 3-5 pm and that they do not serve food or have a bar. I have only been to the unaffiliated cafe across the square (Volkscafe De Cam) once and I didn't eat anything but it a was pleasant place. The cafe serves the De Cam lambics and geuze, when available, but if you are looking to talk to see the barrel room, buy bottles, or talk to the blender, that is only possible at the blender/barrel room across the square from the cafe.
Thanks for the suggestions and clarifications. My main idea was to have lunch at a classic place, good food and lambics. Of course at 3 Fonteinen I wanted to have a good meal and their beers. I was looking forward to eating a rabbit with gueuze. I also wanted to have the opportunity to buy a couple of nice bottles to bring back home. I did note that the Cafe was right across the street from DeCam. I thought they were affiliated in some way. The fact that they are not lessens my interest somewhat... but would still go if anyone can recommend it. So you say I won't find any bootless to purchase there?? I was planning on hitting DeBierschuren on my way back to Brussels anyway. As of right now, I have no idea where to have lunch after a guided visit to the Boon brewery. Any suggestions would be welcome.
I agree and disagree. Good food, great beer list, and very very questionable business tactics which have pissed off much of the Lambic community. I dare you to bend Jean Van Roy, Armand or Uli's ear about what they have done...
Thanks. I actually went to DeCam and had a nice tranquil lunch. The food was homey and very tasty. The restaurant was nice. The prices were reasonable and they had DeCam's brews along with other nice options. I did ask and they confirmed that they had nothing to do with the Gueuzerie. Fortunately there was a group having a tour and I was able to wander inside the Guezerie on my own. The tour was in Dutch, so I couldn't tag along, but it was nevertheless an interesting stop. I had never tried DeCam's beers and concluded that their Kriek is probably the tastiest kriek I've had until now. Still waiting to pop open a Lou Pepe Kriek though. On Heeren Van Liedkercke, I did want to go there, but it was closed the week I was around. Now I am curious of their business tactics. Could you elaborate?? I thought it was a well respected and much beloved place...
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/de-heeren.25254/ http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/heerengeuze-cantillon-and-3-fonteinen-blend.83733/
@digita7693 @beerpirates I agree that the pricing is a bit wild, but I don't think it's WILDLY so. How much is a vintage bottle or Boo at Drie Fontainen or De Zwaan? I recommend it because it's a great place to get beer cusine out in the country. A beer-paired multi-course dinner? yes please! On a more serious note, I'm currently trying to compile lists of various pubs, cafes and restos in the countryside with great food or local beer. Does any one know of more lambic ones?
Just enjoy the restaurant and the list and if some things are too rich for your blood, select something else. The beauty of beer is it's not priced like wine...
