Cantillon Quintessence 2016

Fantastic! Now you need to get an early entry time at the brewery, to try to get around a bit before the crowds thicken into a solid mass. Later, hang in the tasting area and cadge unused tickets from people on their way out (ha). A key from the past has been to honor the entry time -- they won't people sneak in early, for the most part. ... And there may be some little food here and there, but I'd pack some breakfast bar or something.

Have you been to Cantillon before? If you want to really see the place, all the more important to get the early entry time. If you've visited before, you don't need to spent as much time elbowing up the stairs to see the coolship etc.

 

As for the last Quintessence, you simply bought your ticket online, linked to a specific arriving time. Since you were able to try >20 samples, people who arrived late in the afternoon had to cut down to their very favorites, as Cantillon closed the brewery at 6 p.m. sharp. Come early.

Also, the later the day, the more middle aged italian ladies thought this is wine world and dumped their samples into spitoons.

 

Hey! Those are some of my best drinkin' buds!

Yes, closing time is sharpish, and that reminds me of another thing. If you want to roll over to an after-hours somewhere famously beery, also need to get there early to get in. Last year I remember getting lucky to get a table at Restobiere, and knew there was no shot at Moeder et al. (Fine by me, there is a world of bars out there with more variety than I can drink in a night.)

 

I thought it was well run last year. I think I was there around 4:30. Being toward the end of the event it was pretty crowded as they don't kick out earlier groups until closing. It was a little hot upstairs with all the people crammed in, but nothing unbearable. The food was great and paired perfectly to each beer.

 

http://www.belgiansmaak.com/cantillon-quintessence/

 

Wow, didn't know this was happening again! What a nice surprise.
Is there any info about the release of tickets?

 

How about describing the food a bit more for the benefit of those thinking about a first visit... It was more like snacks to keep you going. I recall some rillettes and mini-tartines du fromage blanc, but didn't take good notes on that. Anyway, the advice is not to count on it as a meal, but eat well before and plan on dinner afterward.

 

Damn! I will be in Brussels around May 20th. Any chance they'd still be pouring bottles of the guests and special Cantillons?

 

By past experience, slim to none. Sorry. There was zilch leftover last time although that may have been a particularly well appreciated lineup.

 

tickets are for sale now. booked

 

Me too, 11:30 - 12:00 is our time slot, but we will be there much longer

 

Recommendations on places to stay near Cantillon?

 

I stayed at BeManos, it is ridiculously close. The hotel was far flasher than i required. Probably one of the better hotels i have ever stayed in.

 

There is also Pullman hotel and ibis both next to the station Brussels midi and 5-10 minutes away from the brewery.

 

I stayed at BeManos too, really nice place, but maybe a bit more expensive than you might be looking for

 

When we were in Brussels the other weekend we stayed last minute at The Augustin ($85 for 2 Queen Beds). We got a special price being last minute but even at $130 to sleep 4 people it is a great price. Really close to Moeder Lambic and only a 10 minute walk to Cantillon. I will go back for sure. The time before that we stayed at The Aviation which is really close to Cantillon but not nearly as nice, clean, or well run. It still cost almost $100 for 2 people that time. See you there!!