Hi, I'm in Brussels this Saturday and want to sample the best beers/bars in the city. I prefer triples. Any suggestion where to go and what to drink? Obviously it be better to try stuff I can't find (easily) in the US... Thanks! K
You should have posted this in the Benelux forum. That's where you'll find BA's with the most experience and knowledge of Brussels. Here you'll get a lot of people who only spent a day or two there telling you to go to the most touristy places like Delirium Cafe. Read reviews in Places.
Visit Cantillon brewery for a quick tour, its awesome. You can find good belgian beers anywhere without difficulty.
Mort Subite has a great classic cafe atmosphere but it's beer list is very limited. They have their own beers, which are quite unexceptional by Belgian standards, and a few other well known beers that are widely available here, like Chimay and Rochefort. With only one day she should seek out the great beer cafes like Le Bier Circus(beer list over 200) and Moeder Lambic.
+1 Mort Subite. Classy joint. You'll feel like you went back 100 years. Oh get the Steak Tartar while you are there too. So reasonable, and so good. If you are looking for a couple of other amazing ones I'd go with Poechenellekelder (try saying that 10 times!), Delerium Cafe (avoid on a Weekend night, it gets CRAZY busy, but check it out after it opens) and Moeder Lambic. As mentioned earlier, put aside an hour or two for a tour and tasting at Cantillon. Beware though, its tricky to find.
Hi K - I've spent over three months in Brussels during many trips since 1998. Here's a list I keep handy for requests like yours. They are some of my favorite cafes and restaurants in Brussels. These places should keep you from wasting time at the Delirium tourist trap. Google map the cafes and locate on a good street map. Check opening hours - many places close early part of week. Have fun and explore. Cafes: le Bier Circus 57 Rue de l'Enseignement One of the best beer lists at 200+. Spend an evening at the small bar in the back and ask owner Patrick for recommendations. Check hours, closed Sun., Mon. Monk 42 Rue Sainte-Catherine Classic old brown cafe near city center but away from tourists. Great at night but pm good too. la Fleur en Papier Dore 55 Rue des Alexiens old, historic small cafe that is only place in city with Oud Beersel Lambic. Amazing interior. Brocante 170 Rue Blaes Great cafe in Marolles area that specializes in lambics. Great atmosphere. l'Ultime Atome 14 Rue Saint Boniface(Ixelles district) See my review. Ignore review from 2010. Go in late afternoon or evening. Cafe Belga Place Eugene Flagey(Ixelles) Restaurants with beer cuisine: le Brassins 36 Rue Keyenveld(Ixelles) Amazing, reasonably priced, food and good beer list. Can walk to/from l'Ultime Atome. Restobieres 32 Rue des Renards Great funky atmosphere and fantastic food. Deserts are excellent. Afterward you can walk down street a couple blocks to Brocante.
Spent a week in Brussels two years ago. Was tipped off by a local to a great beer store called Beer Mania on 174-176 Chauss’e de Wavre. It's pretty far from the general tourist area so it caters to locals and has a great selection. Owner has his own beer called Mea Culpa, which someone there told me was great, but couldn't taste it myself as he had sold out his latest batch at the time. He also has a small bar that serves a few snacks. http://www.beermania.eu/
For triples you can't find everywhere, I would hit Delices & Caprices near the Grand Place. Small beer store / tasting room with a really knowledgeable owner and an eclectic selection.
Last year I had about a 15-16 hour layover in Brussels... I spent 5 hours drinking Lambic at Cantillon 2 hours drinking Lambic at Moder Lambic and 8 hours sleeping. That is all you need...
I liked this place too. The Mea Culpa is pretty good and the glassware for the beer is damn sexy! Be forwarned though stay away from the vintage stuff. I picked up some 1980's Chimays were definately not cellared properly a while back. Some of the worst shit I have ever had. So bad that they were boarderline poisonous. I paid a pretty penny for the bottles too.
wow I must've walked by that store countless times and I never knew it was there! Looks like a good place
