Good afternoon. I am going to Brussels, and it's my first time out of the United States. This is what I have planned so far. Was wondering if any of you folks could pass on some tips. This is what I have planned in stone so far: Thursday * Cantillon * Moeder Lambic * I would love to try and get out to Rodenbach this day, but it's the day we land so doubtful. Unless there is an easy way to get there. Thursday is the last day of the week they do tours I believe. * If no Rodenbach would prefer something close to downtown. It is the day we land and it would be nice to see the Grand Palace. Friday * Take train to Poperinge and try to rent bikes to ride to St.Bernardus and then hit the Westvleteren café. Would there be anything else to do in this area? Obviously I want to try and get to 3 Fonteinen. I'd also love to do a tour at Duvell too.
congrats on making it out of the US. Belgium's a pretty friendly and undaunting country (except for the train schedules) so you should have fun. you ask what many others have asked before you. just clearing things up for you. Rodenbach is not near Brussels. around 1 hr away by car and, unless you want to see it for inspiration, it really isn't a must see. Brussels is relatively walkable with a(n oddly shaped) metro system. you can walk from cantillon to the grand place in less than 30 minutes. the Poperinge/Westy visit. think we've all done it. it's nice and neat, but honestly, so much to see out that way that's more meaningful, more *real* than both westy and St Berny. If you have legs, bike from the abbaye to De Struise. it's a 1 hr walk, so really not that far by bike. Struise, though, is only open on Saturdays and is very much worth the visit. very much. The weather in May can be a mixed bag, but if I were you? i'd rather take a train on Saturday to Diksmuide, go to De Dolle and bike along the riverside and then to Struise (1 hr away) i'm too lazy to google, but the Festival of Spontaneous Fermentation's usually around when you'll be in Belgium. it's a weird festival. amazing beer but it just feels way too dorky. but you may want to check it out.
Thank you! I'll look up your suggestions. And the festival is the weekend we'll be there, what makes it dorky?
It's in a community centre in the middle of nowhere. A mix of geezers, tickers and dorkiest of beer dorks. Just didnt feel cool
Rent a car and driver, hit to rodenbach, westvleteren and st bernardus. Sleep at st bernardus, eat at gulden spoor restaurant or molenhof or fancy hommelhof... Or do liefmans instead of rodenbach... Has some nice beers and new coming up and the tour is also amazing...
Bumping my thread because I just saw the NATO summit will be taking place while we're in Brussels. I would assume everything would run as normal, but maybe higher security. But wanted to check. Thanks!
I will be in Belgium these same days. Cantillon is actually closed on that Thursday FYI. https://www.cantillon.be/musee I think it is a national holiday so not sure what else will be closed. Here is what I'm doing so far: Thursday - Day trip to Bruges Friday - Cantillon when they open, 3F in the afternoon Saturday - St Bernardus tour in the morning, De Struise in the afternoon (staying at the St Bernardus B&B) Sunday - De Dolle tour @ 2pm, Westvleteren (In de Vrede) for dinner
I will also be traveling to Brussels. Does anyone know how long I should expect from the moment I land until I exit the airport? I'm asking because at the start of my europe trip I have a brief layover of 5 hours and want to visit a bar during this. Also, @idkwhatimbrewin should check out Grote Dorst Eizeringen. They have a great tap list of vintage lambics. They're only open on sundays
Never mind tap lists. It's not really a thing here. They do have some draft lambics but the bottle list is the thing. ANYway, if you're a non-EU citizen landing in Brussels from outside the 'Schengen area' of countries without passport formalities, figure a half hour to get out of the airport without a checked back -- could be less but also could be longer if you're sitting in the back of a long-haul flight, by which time there will be a decent line built up at passport control.
To the particulars of your 5-hour layover... After the above, you can be in central Brussels in another half hour by train or taxi. (You can check the exact times and prices on the belgianrail website, which has English). Or just hit t' Bierhuys in Zaventem (right outside the airport). I haven't been but from what I see on Untappd, the selection is legit. And now my standard disclaimer: Unless you've done a lot of beer-hunting in Belgium before, I wouldn't get hung up on the places famous for the biggest lists and all that -- any decent-looking place will have more than a day's worth of things to explore.
