Advice on going to Cantillon

I think to take the BT would be a really nice gesture but might not be worthy for him to break something out of his cellar for. Think of the rarest bottle you have of anything and take that to share with him as I believe that would go further- now if that criteria = Black Tuesday then no problem, I'm sure he'll be grateful.

 

I would not expect him to break anything out, especially if it's a busy day. If you want to present him with a gift that's cool but wouldn't expect anything back. Maybe though!

 

I agree with the others.... Black Tuesday is pretty available here in trades. I would go for a rare sour....

 

Just bring some beers for us and we will give some nice ones back

 

I'd drop the expectations. If you are giving good beer, it shouldn't be with the expectation of getting something in return.

Have fun, be respectful of the no touching on the tour rule; and if you get to try something special, great, enjoy. If you don't, you will still get to try half a dozen or more world class beers, served by lovely staff in a nice, fun, relaxed atmosphere.

 

When I visit in June I'll be bringing a few interesting bottles to give, nothing particularly rare, and I expect nothing in return. I don't feel comfortable making Jean feel obligated to give you something because you happen to show up with something rare. Just doesn't feel like good karma man.

 

One of the workers at 3F told me they had bottles of Pliny going bad in their cellar because they are given more beer than they have time to drink. Not sure if Cantillon prioritizes their time better than 3F.

 

here's the respectful truth. hope it doesn't hurt anyone's feelies.

they get a shitload of beer. every day. brewers bring beer. beer geeks bringing beer. they're overwhelmed (read: tired) of getting beer. it's a nice gesture, but hey, you're not the only person bringing a beer.

bringing a beer doesn't get you special status. it really doesn't.

the museum/brewery is usually packed. packed with tour groups, tourists and beer geeks. it's overwhelming. oh, and it's also a working brewery.

go there and enjoy it organically. if you see Jean and he's not busy, talk to him. or talk to the other staff. if jean's busy (or doesn't want to talk to you), you'll know quickly.

but remember that Jean's operating a brewery and is very busy. and you ain't the first person that week/day/hour to have that plan to bring him a beer and get into his cellar. if you think that will work, you're the Hamburgler of the beer geek world. rabble rabble.

 

Not to mention the shit smell adjacent to the brewery spoils the taste of good beer.

 

I'd just echo what the guys above have said. Consider where you're going & your audience. Why would a guy from Illinois bring a bottle of beer from southern California to share with a guy notoriously religious about terroir? If you want to bring something to share/gift pick the local beer that most speaks to where you're from -- something local/regional or maybe even a homebrew.

Take a careful look at the situation when you get there, and be prepared to drop your plan if it's crowded, busy or if Jean just isn't in. Maybe have a prepared letter/card so if that happens you can just leave it.

After all of those caveats, the crew at Cantillon was really friendly (other than the woman who was taking money for tours and didn't appreciate being corrected ). I poured a bottle of homebrew for Jean & a couple of the brewery staff. Didn't get anything opened in return but getting a photo of Jean toasting me with my own beer was more than worth it

 

you sure you didn't accidentally wander into a port-o-potty?

 

Belgians seem to hate Brussels. There was a thread earlier this year where a couple of semi-locals made it sound like a war zone they wouldn't let women & children enter without armed guards!

Soft Euro's, San Francisco has an app for that! https://jennz0r.github.io/wasteland/

 

I think that's an issue with most people who aren't from a big city in a country. I knew a lot of people back in England who thought London was the world's biggest shit hole. Each to their own.

 

I'm pretty sure that hasn't happened..... Lately. It could be my holiday moustache retaining foul odors.

 

Brussels is a hidden gem.
wish i had 4-7 days to wander and explore it.
such a lovely mess.

 

I totally agree! I've spent over four months in Brussels since 1998 and have good friends there. It's a great city to explore. It's too bad most don't venture much beyond the Grand Place, Delirium Cafe, Moeder and Cantillion circuit.

 

Be sure to double-check their opening hours before you go. Some Yanks find themselves flabbergasted by the closing time of the brewery.

 

yeah, i'd love to know where to go outside the Ring. we're hoping to go this September for a few days.

 

See if you can get a copy of this book. The new edition is due soon. A good, detailed street map(no GPS ; ) ) will get you to many great cafes that are away from the center city tourist area. The process of locating and navigating to these cafes will introduce you to many Brussels areas and neighborhoods that tourists and even most BA visiters are unaware of. Your reward will be great beers in cool, out-of-the-way cafes.

https://m.facebook.com/AroundBrusselsin80Beers?_rdr