Bottle shop advice in Belgium?

There are two pretty good bottle shop in Brugge right off the main square (De Biertempel and The Bottle Shop) and there is also the Struise shop (very limited hours). I thought the prices weren't bad - great selections but not much on the way of Cantillon or Drie. Lots of other treasures and glassware. There is also De Garre - you can get bottle of the tripel. It's really close to the Struise shop.

 

I wouldn't advice the struise shop unless u know how to spot the very young bottles.

almost all bottles are in direct sunlight and no airco so everything is kept above 20°c

 

In Brussels, Malt Attacks and Malting Pot are the places to check out. Good mix of established and 'newer' breweries.

 

I'd just try to buy bottles directly from Cantillon and 3F. From what I've seen, the surrounding shops mark up the bottle prices by at least 3x.

Cheers,
Erik

 

If you have 1 day and you're going to Cantillon, and don't want to absorb a tourist markup, it's hard to say anything other than, just enjoy that and do your shopping there.

You can find Cantillon and other real lambics (and I would urge you to try 'em all, not just C and 3F) at smaller-than-tourist-shop markups in some groceries -- some of the bigger Coras, Delhaizes and Carrefours. But they're a bit out of your way. You could metro or taxi/Uber (maybe 15 minutes?) to the Cora in the Anderlecht shopping center. Of @slaneja's good suggestions, Malt Attacks is closer (10 mins. by car, also options by tram/bus/metro) but focuses more on newer Belgians and foreign craft beer. Malting Pot stocks a good selection of lambics but can run out (which is not altogether a bad thing). Either of those have an advantage of being in interesting neighborhoods.

More centrally, Delices et Caprices is closed, indeed (a moment of silence for the owner, Pierre, please). The markups in the other tourist-aimed shops in the center probably aren't necessarily as bad as you fear unless going for the more exotic stuff, one-offs and limited runs and such.

 

Anecdotally, I was surprised by how little 3F I saw in Belgium. Cantillon was around (and typically marked up heavily) but I only saw a handful of 3F bottles outside of their shop in Beersel. They were typically at specialty shops and similar bars that weren't tourist-centric. A few places had bottles that weren't on any menus (including some gems at Delirium), though.

 

Malting Pot is great! And yep, you can wander down to Flagey and go to La Murmure and Amere a Boire afterwards, and then get frites from Frit Flagey. Happy days!

Although I'd also agree that for someone with one day only in Brussels, it's Cantillon all the way. Do the tour, share some onsite bottles, buy some to take away.

 

In Bruges, lesser known but great place is Bierpaleis. De gate is a must in Bruges!

 

First, a moment for Pierre....



I want to third the recommendation of doing the Brussels day at Cantillon. I've had the opportunity to do two days at that Brewery/Museum and would gladly do a third. My second day there was possibly more worthwhile than the first, both in what I learned and in what beers I had a chance to enjoy while there.

 

I also suggest bierpaleis in Bruges...less of a markup than the bottle shop and biertemple and 2BE...and super friendly owners. Also, there is small grocery store in Bruges - limited selection but for Trappists and other more common, certainly cheaper

 

Can we find Bokkereyder anywhere? Bottle shops or bars?

 

Grote Dorst only last I heard.

 

Is there a place to buy a Zenne to-go in Brussels (preferably close to Grand Place)? Regardless of 2x-3x retail price...

 

Regarding Bruges, I was recently there in the end of October.

I found The Bottle Shop had a pretty wide selection of common offerings and somewhat decent prices.

If you're looking for rare offerings and vintages, I would suggest Bacchus Cornelius. There is a small markup but the selection is worth it. Bottles are kind of strewn about and makes for fun treasure hunting -- the staff is super helpful as well.

Examples of things I purchased which I didn't find anywhere else in town:

• '15 3F Kriek (375) - 10€
• '16 3F Kriek - 17€
• '16 3F Hommage - 39€
• '16 3F A&G - 21€
• '11 Pannepot GR - 15€

 

Next week i go to Brussel, i also visit the 3 Fonteinen brewery, but the 3 Fonteinen bottles, arte they cheap or expensive??

 

Thanks for the tip, great to know when i am next week in Brussels.