Brussels and Bruges

Ahh that may decide it. We'll be taking a day trip from Brussels to Bruges and will probably be looking to head back around then. I really need to start checking opening times!

 

they are not really that far apart, ten minute walk or so.

 

Had a pretty entertaining time at De Kelk chatting with the bartender. He was pretty tipsy as were the locals hanging at the bar drinking Jupiler. Fun place.

Edit: Thinking about it, he may have been the proprietor. He shared some great rum with us.

 

Jerome

First time I was in there, he puts a can of Heady topper on the bar and asked, "Ever had this?".
Left there one morning close to 5, the sun was up, streets were deserted, and my buddy and I were holding each other up.
Thank God it wasn't that far.

 

Ha. I have also had basically that exact same experience. We really liked De Kelk - very interesting place...

 

That's way different from scary....Man up dude!!!

 

I will be at Moeder Lambic Fontainas tonight if anyone is around and wants to split a few bottles.

 

Surely

 

Well folks, I had a wonderful 5 days in Brussels and Bruges. I sometimes feel like Belgians take for granted how beautiful their country is. As I mentioned in another thread, I did see SOME garbage and a couple arrests in Brussels, but to me that is no big deal!

I wish I could have visited more cities and more pubs, but this was not solely a beer trip and we did have our baby with us. I'm pretty pleased with the places I visted though!

Delirium: Pretty much what I expected. Overwhelmingly busy. Had one drink at the bar and then got sick of having my chair kicked. Perhaps I visited at the wrong time of day, but the atmosphere just wasn't for me. I did have a nice glass of Oud Beersel Lambiek though. Had a wander through the Monastereum and Hoppy Loft which seemed a little better, but time was tight.


A La Bécasse: I simply adored this place. The difference between here and Delirium was night and day. No extensive beer list, nothing amazing on it, but a real atmosphere. How is this place so close to Grand Place and so well preserved? It was like stepping back in time. The two gentleman working there were friendly and clearly passionate about the place. I tried the witte lambic, which while clearly sweetened, was still tasty.

 

A La Mort Subite: Just like A La Bécasse, nothing incredible on the beer list, but an unreal atmosphere. You could really feel the history in the place.


Moeder Lambic Fontainas: Draft selection amazing, bottle selection even better. Spent the majority of my beer time here, enjoyed the Cantillon Gueuze sausage (!) and Cantillon Gueuze pate paired with (obviously) Cantillon Gueuze, along with various other lambics and interesting beers, including the one below. The place obviously doesn't have the history of the places above but it had a great balance between "craft bar" atmosphere and tradition.



Nuetnigenough: Arrived just as it was opening for the evening. Enjoyed a wonderful three course meal paired with amazing beer. Unfortunately, my camera died as I was sitting down. Heartbreaking. Probably the best washroom/toilet i've ever seen.

Starter: Shrimp croquettes, Oud Beersel Oude Geuze Vielle.
Main: Rabbit saddle in Cantillon Gueuze with stoemp, Cantillon Gueuze.
Dessert: Cantillon Kriek sorbet, Mariage Parfait Kriek.

 

Nice one wesbray, we enjoyed all of the above and had actually forgotten about A La Becasse.

 

Got some more updates to post later

 

I would be a fixture at A La Becasse if I lived in Brussel. With all the people complaining about Brussels, this place makes up for it, simply charmming. Not impressive, just charming.

 

It was a great antidote to Delirium!

 

I hope you scored a teashirt

 

Unfortunately I didn't, but I'm not much of a brewery/pub t-shirt guy (though I did buy a Cantillon one).

 

On other note, I didn't expect Delirium to be quite so ubiquitous...I can't count the amount of times I saw the pink elephant.