Hello, We will be going to Belgium from Paris on a Tuesday and staying through Saturday before we head to Amsterdam. Its only a 4 night stay unfortunately. I am trying to figure out (with the consideration of train travel, breweries that will be open, etc) what the best plan of action is. Any and all advice would be most helpful. I am considering a day (no overnight if possible) in Brussels to spend time at Cantillon but other than that I want to spend time in both Antwerp and Bruges. Does anyone have good suggestion for brewery tours open during the week for smaller parties? Any suggestions as to more time in one city over the other? Thanks in advance!
I would base yourself in Brugge. There you could visit this brewery http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/268/ From Brugge, a visit to Brussels and Cantillion is only a 55 min train ride away. This will give you 2 breweries to visit over 4 days. Brugge is a good base for a beer vacation. If you shift your focus a bit to classic bars along with breweries, I think you will have a good time. Actually 3 nights in Brugge and one in Antwerpen would be good. That will give you time to visit Kulminator without rushing back to another city. Visit the Brugge bear while in brugge, and De garre. The bear is closed on Wednesday and opens at 4 on other days. Will you visit this place while in Paris? http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/4482/?view=ratings cheers
For a beer oriented itinerary: Day in Brussels: Cantillon in the morning, Beersel (you have 3F and Oud Beersel) in the afternoon, lunch at 3F's restaurant, then Moeder Lambic back in Brussels in the evening. Day in Brugge: Straffe Hendrik in the morning, quick stop at Staminee de Garre, lunch at Cambrinus, then 't Brugs Beertje in the mid-afternoon and/or maybe a quick stop at Cafe Rose Red. Also stop by De Struise's shop if you're not planning on visiting them. Day in Antwerp: Kulminator. That's pretty much it IMO. Day or two in the Vleteren area: In de Vrede in Westvleteren and if you go on Saturday when Struise is open, "the school" in Oostvleteren. If you're only after beer, you could spend multiple days in Brussels or Brugge. I (or more specifically, my wallet) would struggle with multiple days in Antwerp. Aside from getting to Westvleteren/Struise, everywhere is very well connected by train/bus and some walking.
Stop in Rotterdam on your way through to Amsterdam and go to Plan B Rotterdam. Awesome beer store with a huge selection. Cantillon St. Lamvinus is still on the shelf for a reasonable price.
Haven't been to Antwerp, but Bruges is one of my favorite places in the work. Can't wait to get back there in February. Cambrinus, Cafe Red Rose, T' Bruge Beertje, De Struise all amazing.
