First time in Belgium (Brussels)

It's a little out of the way, but Hopduvel in Ghent was probably the best bottle shop I went to over there. Delirium was a little scuzzy but their bottle list is pretty huge and worth stopping by for one (though a few things I ordered, they were out of). Poechenellekelder (across from Mannekin Pis) was one of my favorite bars, cozy and a former puppet theater so there are puppets all over as decor. if you're looking for westy stuff, Bier Tempel off had the cheapest bottles I could find, and Au Brasseur had it on their bottle menu. Both are just off grand place in different directions.

 

Nuetnigenough for beers and dinner is a must for me. At Moeder Lambic you will definitely find something close enough to an IPA to fill your craving.

 

I was there in August and I'll be back for a brief trip on Saturday. They've pretty much all been said, but musts for my 24 hours are Cantillon, Moeder Lambic, Nuetnigenough, frites and 1 euro waffles.

 

The above's is fine coverage of the very center, where I'm also attached to Toone, La Porte Noire and for pure atmosphere any of the alley bars -- Becasse, Aux Vieux Temps (Westvleteren on offer if you must). See the St. Gery area and hit Booze 'n Blues, and a bit further on to St. Catherine and Monk (plus dinner at La Villette for classics and a good beer list). Bier Circus isn't far away from the center, either, in the Belgian government area of town, so could get in a dinner there preceded by several beers.

As you have a week in Brussels, you can and must get further afield. Moeder Lambic was mentioned; I'd suggest getting to the St. Gilles location, and while you're at it, cruise the strip of cafes on the Parvis St. Gilles. (I'm assuming you have maps or Google for all this.) Explore the Sablon and Marolles areas, stopping in at La Fleur en Papier Doré. Cruise through Matongé and hit l'Ultime Atome, London Calling, En Stoemelings. Go further down into Ixelles to Place Flagey to Belga and l'Amère à Boire. Or the other side of Ixelles to l'Aubieregiste while checking out the Chatelain neighborhood.

But back on my theme touched on for the alley bars: if you're not on a hunt for specifics, and just getting to explore Belgian beers, honestly, ANYplace will do. Go to some interesting part of town (as mentioned, Parvis St. Gilles, Place Flagey, rue de Baili, rue Haute...) and find some place that looks lively, and just pop in. There will always be a Trappist or three, and a Duvel and a few other typical local beers, be they InBev or Haacht or not, still worth tasting. ... Feel free to PM me for closer-in Brussels direction or if you get stuck, I'm around all week.

 

Hop on a train to Antwerp. Besides having a lovely old center of town, there's the famed Kulminator, and the top-shelf Gollem....

Prosit!!

 

You are going to have a great time.

 

Here's a Google map I made that might be handy. It doesn't cover all of the bars but I think the most interesting ones are mentioned.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=z_N7P9416_gY.kC5qcYcsm4OM

If you're into IPA's the recently opened 'Dynamo' bar might be your thing. They only have draft beers but often IPA's coming from The Kernel, Brew by Numbers and so.....The delicious Belgian 'HOLY IPA' from Novabirra as well at the moment I think.

 

Hopduvel in Ghent isn't what it was used to be.

 

As previously mentioned, Moeder Lambic will have IPA's and hoppy beers. I recall 3-4 when I was there in the Summer. I believe they were all from the UK, but were American-style.
There's a BrewDog location right in front of the main train station now.
The Delirium Cafe (the downstairs one) runs the gambit and has American imports if you're really fiending.

 

I picked up a few bottles from Beer Planet (which is basically around the corner) for 12 Euro I believe. They wrapped them in bubble wrap for my suitcase too when I asked.

 

As an American, I had a hard time restraining myself from the fresh De Molen, Hommage, Mikkeller we don't see here, etc..however the Barrel Aged Speedway Stout for 65 euros was a little suspicious.

 

Two of my favorites in Gent are Het Waterhuis aan de bierkant and De Dulle Griet. I always wanted to visit T'Velootje but never made it..

Cheers!

 

I'm sorry about the taxi. Do you have anything that would allow you to report it to someone? Because that is theft. I've actually once had a bad taxi experience reimbursed by the company so it may be worth asking. Ixelles is just a district of Brussels, not longer than a point-to-point trip in downtown Philly. By day, 10 euros. ... For buying Westvleteren (good thing to bring home and share, especially in a tasting with other quads you can find in the supermarkets, like Rochefort) there're also a few Saturday market stalls on Place Flagey that sell for 8-12 (depending which one). I don't know where those stalls set up on other days but it makes me think it could be a trend so if you stumble across food markets elsewhere look around especially among the cheese sellers. And you can always ask people if they speak English if you're in a pinch. Have fun.

 

Since the quads seem to be to your liking & you are looking for a day trip, I would suggest heading to Antwerp vs Ghent & spending a few hours at The Kulminator. You could drink verticals of quads all night. The Kulminator is an easy walk from the train station or if you planned to spend the night, there is a decent Ibis hotel nearby. Just make sure to check Kulminator's opening hours before making the trip, (not sure if open on Sunday/Monday). Enjoy your beer time!

 

Try to pop into Monk if you're in that area, one of our favourite bars in Brussels.

 

Post some pics from Amsterdam if you go. Especially from In De Wildman if you make it there.