Belgian Trip Timing?

I came here from Colorado and the summers are far hotter there. It's pretty abnormal for it to get exceedingly hot here barring the odd heat wave. As I'm sure you know, it rains more than average here, but most cafes with outside seating are prepared for this with canopies and such.

 

My wife and I love Belgium in September. The weather is damn near perfect for us: sunny, warm, but not too hot. Great time to sit outside and drink amazing beer! Damn, I miss Belgium. Also, the first weekend in September is (usually?) Belgian Beer Weekend on The Grand Place. That weekend has also been Open Beer Days at 3F in Beersel in the past. Great time for sure!

 

From reading all your previous posts regarding Germany, Bamberg in particular, I know you are very well versed in the European pub/tavern scene. Three taverns with outdoor areas that I would recommend visiting are Antwerp: Groote Witte Arend (great food) and Waagstuk (off the tourist route) Bruges: Vlissinghe (off the tourist route, oldest tavern in Bruges, not the greatest beer selection, but great outdoor beer garden). And of course: The Kulminator in Antwerp, a must stop! Have a great trip, Belgium is fantastic!!

 

We were in Bruges in June & it was cold & rainy. My vote would be July or August.

 

In june there is a Belgium beer weekend in Antwerp normally last weekend of the month.... a lot of big names are there on Friday because there is a special dinner there before opening the event (i have my feet under the table there ).

 

Always welcome to come over again

 

My usual sell of stay at the St. Bernardus B&B at the brewery for a couple of nights. They give you bikes to ride into Watou or wherever you want and if you don't rent a car you can take a bellbus to Westvletren and Poperinge.

 

If you can I would try and time your trip in the spring or fall. The awnings go up in the square in Brugge about the 3rd week of march and stay there until sometime in November. I second the Café Vlissinghe recommendation, they do have a nice beer garden and very old world interior.

I've based myself in Brussels on one trip. It was in September of 07 for the weekend of beer. Very hot. Brugge is a great base city, to me it has more of a vacation feel. You can catch a train to anywhere from there, even an early morning nonstop to paris.

The best times to go for me are mid april or mid October. Bring your umbrella no matter when you go.

 

end of august simply because you're closer to mussel season.

 

From mid-summer on is mussel season, according to some. I'm not here to argue about it -- sources differ when is be best production -- but you'll see them in many if not most restaurants before August. July, If memory serves, is when I can think of saying signs and banners. Thought maybe those are hung a bit early, to drum up interest. Ah, summer, it seems like such a far-off dream right now.

 

Summer in Western Europe was always a lottery in the last few years. There are no special rainy or sunny month. It could be everything - rainy or sunny from ±20°C to 35°C - especially now we just don't know
Normally mid June to end of July is usually warm and dry - but I remember the last year with lots of rain and cooler temperatures during that time... and if I'm not wrong, the year before was the same. It was great and sunny in April and May - and thereafter no real summer...
--> Just pick the time that fits the best for you - every other thing is like playing the lottery... and wait with packing a few days before you leave - then the forecasts are much better

 

Don't go around Easter - l went a couple weeks following and De'Herren and Kulminator were closed.

 

My wife and I stay at the Brussels Marriott. Great place!

 

I've stayed at the Brussels Marriott three or four times and had a very good experience as well.

 

There is a Sunday towards the end of September called "No Car Day". All of the streets are closed to all traffic except for taxis & buses, every neighborhoor has incredible block parties. Absolutely the best time I ever had in Brussels, it's usually at the same time as Borefts at the De Molen Brewery in Bodegraven.