Beer in Brussels

Brussels has a lot of English speakers. I got by just fine with what I learned through the Duolingo app: un, deux, oui, non, parlez vous anglais, combien, bonjour, bonsoir, bien, mal, sil vous plait, ca va, merci. A little goes a long ways.

 

Correct. It's actually a tough town to practice French in. A chirpy "Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais?" will let you do almost any business you need. Actually, "Bojour! Do you speak English?" would probably be enough. It's just polite to ask before launching into English.

Throw in a few "s'il vous plait" and "merci" for bonus points. More important than language is francophone etiquette that shopkeepers etc. would like to be greeted before getting down to business, and thanked on your way out the door. A friendly nod will do. If you need a hand from someone (say, asking directions on the street), "Excusez-moi de vous deranger" will do the trick.

 

Met a few of you guys yesterday at cantillon. You guys were great. We had to leave because my wife was starving but the little we were able to speak to you all was pretty awesome. Neutnigenough was so damin good. Had the rabbit and Meg had the trout. Easily one of the best meals I've had in Europe.

 

Uber is not really legal in Belgium guys ...

 

Sounds great, if anyone wants to meet up in June i'll definitely be up for it! I'll be bringing some Canadian brews along but no real whales...

 

What's the best way to get to 3 Font without a car?

 

Take a tram from Brussels and then the De Lijn bus #154 to Beersel, about an hour ride in total. We planned it out but were unable to fit it in to our itinerary so I don't have any personal experience with the trip.

Found the directions bookmarked here: http://www.oudbeersel.com/en/contact-2/itinerary/ but we ultimately used Google Maps public transportation directions.

 

Google Transit is quite good in Belgium but note that they don't take the trains into consideration. So crosscheck with http://www.belgianrail.be/en/Default.aspx

 

Thanks guys! Not sure that i'll be there on the Sunday now so no visit to Grote Dorst for me. 3 Font should be a great substitute though!

 

If you guys had to pick between either Nüetnigenough or Restobieres which one would you go for?

 

Sorry for the multiple posts, I missed the 15 minute cut-off while typing all this out.

We will now be in Belgium from 14th-19th of June.

This is my current plan, please give feedback! Keep in mind that this is not a beer trip, just sneaking in beer stops when I can!

Day 1 - Arrive in Brussels, staying at Hotel a la Grande Coche. Dinner at Nüetnigenough, Quick visit to Moeder Lambic. Any recommendations on bottle shops in the area to grab a couple for the hotel?

Day 2 - Spend time in Brussels, any breakfast recommendations? Visit Cantillon, hit up Delices et Caprices for bottles, Restobieres or Bier Circus for dinner? Possible cab to Beer Mania if time permits!

Day 3 - Train/bus to Beersel, visit the old castles, 3F and Oud Beersel.

Day 4 - Bruges. Do all the usual tourist crap, Duvelorium because it looks cool and I love the beer, ’t Brugs Beertje, Cafe Rose Red, Struise shop.

Day 5 - Antwerp. Obviously Kulminator, Bierhuyske, any bottle shops worth a shout?

Day 6 - Leave around noon. Anything open in Brussels that I can do in the morning here?

Anything i'll be missing out on here? As I mentioned earlier, I will unfortunately be arriving after Grote Dorst has closed on the Sunday...

 

I'd choose Restobières over Bier Circus for dinner.

 

If you have time & want to catch a nice bottle shop on your train trip from Bruges to Antwerp, stop in Ghent & visit De Hopduvel. You should be going through Ghent on your trip & De Hopduvel is an easy walk from the station. You could be back on the train in 1-2 hrs & on your way to Antwerp. Enjoy your trip!

 

That seems like it may be a little excessive as a detour...is it head and shoulders above other bottle shops in Brussels/Bruges/Antwerp?

 

Not sure about Brussels, but yes, much better than any shop in Antwerp. It's been a few years since my trip to Bruges, but I understand some good shops have opened recently. Try to visit Garre in Bruges & Kulminator in Antwerp, great pubs!!

 

Yeah oddly enough it seems there are few outstanding bottle shops in Antwerp.

De Garre was also on my shortlist, either that or Bierhuyske...

Too many choices so little time!

 

I concur, way too much to see & do in Belgium! If you get a chance, have lunch at the Grand Cafe' Horta in Antwerp. The unfiltered Palm is excellent & the building is amazing (reassembled Victor Horta building from Brussels). Also the Horta is on the same square as Oud Arsenaal (nice bar) & the Rubens museum (if you're into the Golden Age artists) Enjoy your trip, Belgium is a great country w/ awesome beer everywhere!!

 

Thanks for the great advice! Is there much difference between the two Moeders?

 

It is a dirty city but it kind of has to be done.

 

I just thought I would add my two cents. I was just in Brussels for only one night and I went to Cantillon, and Delices and Caprices. Cantillon was a great experience, but Pierre and his wife have an amazing thing going at Delices and Caprices. He is very knowledgable about the breweries his products come from and makes great recommendations. My wife who is not that into beer said it was one of the most unique and authentic experiences of the trip. We spent a few hours there chatting with the people at our table and with Pierre and his wife, when they had the opportunity. If you are going to Brussels this place is definitely worth checking out.