Howdy everyone! I will be in Tolousse/Paris from the 28th Sept to Oct 2nd, and in Belgium from the 3rd until the 6th when I leave. I'll be staying in Brussels, relatively close to the Cantillon taproom. I would be very grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction. I am mainly interested in exploring the Lambic scene. So obviously Cantillon and 3 Fonteinen are on the checklist. I know Tilquin and De Cam, though I'd prioritize anything more adventurous / new. I also am thinking of going if possible to Boerenef since I think they are making some amazing stuff. Also, if anyone knows where I could try some Antidoot it would be great! I'm also a big fan of wine/ciders, so anything in that territory is also welcome. Other than that, if time allows, I was thinking of visiting Bruges/Ghent, though time might be tight. In any case, I would absolutely appreciate it if you could point me to any breweries and/or bars that you think should be mandatory visits.
In Brussels, some of my favorite bars are: Moeder Lambic Fontainas - near the city center, great lambic selection. You might see Cantillon employees there in the evening. (Moeder Lambic Original is also worth a stop but it could be out of the way.) A La Becasse - also near the city center, classic old place where you can still get lambic in ceramic pitchers. A la Mort Subite - also near the center, another classic old place. Serves food, too. Poeschenellenkelder - right next to Mannekin Pis, funky old place with a pretty good beer selection. Don't go if you're creeped out by marionettes haha. La Frutiere - a cheese shop that serves some basic food but also has good beer to drink in or takeaway. Right next to Moeder Lambic Fontainas. Favorite restaurants: Beyrouth, two blocks from Cantillon, doesn't have beer but has amazing (and cheap) Lebanese pizzas. Nuetnigenough - great restaurant, also near the center, with dishes made with beer as well as a good beer menu. Fin de Siecle - classic Belgian dishes and good beer. La Villette in St Catherine, great food, some dishes cooked with beer, and good beer. Plus there are a lot of bars in that area, which stays lively until late in the evening. For breakfast, Le Pain Quotidien is a chain with a few locations and can be a nice way to start the day. I love lambic and it sounds like you do, too. You can find it almost everywhere, it's awesome, but I encourage you to also try some other Belgian classics while you're there. Things like Rochefort 10, Orval, Chimay blue. Yes, you can get those in the states, but they tend to taste better when they haven't traveled across the sea. Also, be sure to check bar/brewery/restaurant hours before you go. Some places open later, close earlier or are closed on days you might not expect. You mentioned Tilquin and they're generally only open a couple hours on Saturdays, and De Cam is generally only open a few hours on Sundays. Both can be hard to get to without a car. And while you can use Uber in Brussels, you generally won't find it once you get a little way out of the city. Have fun!
Many thanks for the tips brother! Will follow your advice. I do love a good Belgian triple. Do you have any tips concerning finding/visiting Antidoot?
Well, you better try some 3F or De Cam. De Cam Oude Geuze Riesling Cider (blended with Elstar apples), the best of both worlds! As for the great places in Brussels, I agree with the post above and would like to add Bier Circus, good food, excellent lambiek (normally Girardin) and a beer shop.
To add to the suggestions above... - when are you leaving on September 6? If you were planning on going to 3 Fonteinen, that's the only day during your trip they'll be open; that is also the first day of their Open Beer Days event. In addition, Boerenerf is only open on Saturdays and Antidoot isn't open to the public at all, but fortunately, they do publish a list of locations that carry their beers. - if you haven't been to Cantillon before (and note that they're closed on Wednesdays), the to-go shop is just inside the door. Walk to the back and go up the stairs to the bar area, where they'll have a large selection of bottles for on-site consumption. - the only additional suggestion for food is La Tana; it's a small restaurant, but they have a large lambic selection. - if you do make it to Bruges, the best bar for lambic (and one of the best bars in the city) is Bar Rose Red. They have an extensive cellar list, and if you want to drink gueuze bottled in the 1980s, it's on the menu.
I screwed the title up! I'll be there the night of the 3rd, and leave on the 6th in the morning. I've heard also good things about Badi and Night Shop as well. The brewer from Antidoot responded to my insta query and recommended both. I'll definitely keep Bar Rose Red for Bruges, if I make it.
That was the greatest trip of my life. Visited Boerenef, Cantillon, 3F, L'Hermitage... Got to try Vermeersch, Kemmer, Pellicle, Symbiose, Antidoot. Went to Badi, Moeder, Nightshop, and a few other bars. Winner? 3 Fonteinen. I had an 80 Euro bottle of the first batch of Seasons, Winter. Greatest beer I've ever had.
