For sale at Cantillon

Hi guys, any news on the bottles to go?
Still waiting on the St Lamvinus! I'll be in Brussels tomorrow, I hope to find some stuff!!

 

How crowded does the brewery get on Friday during normal working hours? I haven’t been there in years and last time i was there I was one of three people. Don’t imagine that’s the case anymore

 

I guess I didn’t really look into it last time I went (2014) but it’s weird seeing how many people refer to the area as being dangerous. I’ve walked there from the train station by myself and thought nothing of it. Have things changed? Or is it just people fear mongering?

 

I've been there in Oct/November in each of the last 2 years and personally I'd say fear mongering. Granted when I've been there is probably not the busiest time of the year and when its colder people tend not to hang outside too much.

From what I've heard the neighborhood has changed over time and someone I know from work has talked about how Brussels has been changing for the worse (from some1 who is Belgian). I think those comments have to do with generally how Europe has been changing due to immigration. Both years I've walked from around the grand place down to Cantillon and back while carrying beer and I've never felt unsafe. The area surrounding the brewery seems like it's becoming more of a Muslim Community based off the shops and food places I've walked by. This is no different then what happens everywhere with neighborhood and community dynamics changing over time.

As someone who's traveled a lot it's just important wherever you are to use good common sense and to be aware of your surroundings and careful with your belongings whenever you're traveling anywhere, but again I've never been worried or felt unsafe when I've been there or walking around. Plus if you're walking from the train station its only like a 5 minute walk. I'm hoping to get back later this year with my brother.

 

Thanks for the response. I’ll be with my brother and GF and we are going to go to cantillon earlyish around open on a Thursday and then head to the grand place as they have never been to the city to spend the day/ night. I’m sure it will be no issue, just weird to imagine it would so much different

 

Yea again I think its people overblowing things, but I guess to each their own. Some people aren't great travelers and get uncomfortable easily. I'd highly recommend a trip to 3F if you've never been too, its a quick 12 min train ride from Midi and a 5 min or so walk from the Lot train stop . If you're only there for 1 day though it would be hard to swing both if you're also trying to wander around the city.

Cantillon has a way cheaper onsite bottle list but 3F has a ridiculous bottle list and also has to go bottles too. It's worth looking into if you have time and haven't been to 3F. Goodluck with the trip! I stayed in Bruges as well and ended up taking the train back one day to chill at Cantillon again too soif you;re heading out there you could also hit either again.

 

I visit Cantillon once in a while, alone or with friends. Everytime we take the train or car we say to each other “here we go to the caliphate” or when checking beers in “drinking beer in the caliphate” just as a joke. Same as we call Northern part of Paris “Raqqa at the Seine”. But Cantillon is couple of streets away from Molenbeek and that is a part of Brussels that has a very negative reputation.

I never feel scared but friend of mine from
NYC got robbed at the train station in December. Bags of Cantillon beers stolen (also from his friends). No police around btw. They don’t care about these ‘small’ crimes anymore and don’t put any effort in it (like also in The Netherands nowadays). Of course, could happen at most train stations in big cities but the change of getting robbed at Midi is bit higher.

 

Was the guy by himself? I’ll be getting into midi at 9am and leaving about 9am.

I hope this doesn’t sound douchey but my brother and I are both 6’5 250+, I hope that gets us a pass lol

 

I believe with 3 people in total. Two guys went into the Carrefour at the station. One guy was standing in front of the store with the bags (to prevent to go with the bags into the supermarket) and that moment a group came, one distracted the guy and others of the group took the bags.

Almost same size as me. So I advise just keep the bag with you when entering the supermarket. Because running with our size is not the most convenient option

 

Good tips, I’ll literally only have a back pack, which will be on my back. I’m going to stop worrying

 

My friends got an air-bnb around the corner from Cantillon and I was like uhhh......no. The neighborhood doesn't bother me during the day but I wouldn't be walking around there at night. Nord station looked pretty sketchy at night too.

 

If this stresses you so much... Why not take an Uber from the brewery’s door to your hotel or wherever you want to go....

 

Guys there's no need to stress about going to Cantillon.
Yes, it's a rough neighbourhood but as long as you don't flash a wallet full of money on the streets and mind your own business it's perfectly save.

 

Lol true. I’m personally not worried at all, just surprised to hear it as it hasn’t been that long, also if it’s rough I don’t want the lady to worry, but not only does that sound safer but also probably quicker and more convenient.

 

To go today - 22 March 3 pm-ish - at Cantillon:
Gueuze .375, .750, Magnum
Kriek .375
Rose de Gambrinus .375, .750
Gtand Cru Bruocsella .750
Vigneronne .750 (still 3 pp)

 

Somebody around Brussels this weekend 3/30-31? Going with my GF and looking for people to share costs and try as more as is possible in 3F, Cantillon and Grote Dorst. PM me

 

yesterday still 3 vigs pp

 

Is there anywhere to see on premises options?

 

Here sometimes or on Cantillon Enthusiasts FB page are good places

 

For sale today:

Gueuze 37,5cl / 75cl / Magnum
Kriek 37,5cl
RdG 37,5cl / 75cl
GCB 75cl
Vigneronne 75cl

 

A word on safety: pickpocketing and bag thievery around the train station is more of an issue than the streets immediately around Cantillon, if you’re not reeling around drunk like an easy mark. All the usual urban precautions apply. Rather than it getting “worse,” I would say the neighborhood has gotten more visitor-friendly in the last decade or so, certainly more developed. There have been many immigrants in the district since long before this fine website existed. Just to give assurance. Enjoy the visit. … Keep the bottle-availability updates coming, people.

 

All Gueuze sizes still available, RdG and Kriek both in 37 and 75, GCB still there too.
No Vigneronne.
Hope to find some Lamvinus soon, I haven't had the chance to buy this year batch.

 

Update?

 

Nothing new as of 1200 today.

 

New updates?

 

Update?

 

As of Saturday
Gueuze 37,5cl / 75cl
Kriek 37,5cl / 75cl
RdG 37,5cl / 75cl
GCB 75cl

 

i...i can't tell if this post is real.

first of all, why the hell would you make comments like that? i've never had an issue walking to, from or around Cantillon. i always eat at Beyrouth down the street. everyone's been nice. it would be akin to the Muslims living there seeing you and saying "there goes the fat American" or "another drunken alcoholic coming through." might want to check your words there.;

no police at Midi? almost always are there army dudes with machine guns, people working for the train company or security. the only "unsafe" part is the tram gap between the train and metro station where you have the homeless camp. and it just smells. nothing unsafe there.

i wouldn't be surprised if the area around the train station has more crime (hell, there are always people loitering on the corner where the IBIS hotel is and i wonder why that's a meet-up. seems a bit odd/sketch), but i've literally walked from there at 0430 H and not had an issue.

and with that new apartment complex going up across the street for Cantillon, the demographics will shift yet again

 

Can you tell me where that is? I can't find that on the map or the googles.

 

exit Cantillon. turn right. walk the 2 blocks or whatever until the street ends. turn right and it's about 6 stores down on the far side of the street.
it's usually packed.
their meat pizzas are cheap and great (the one with the egg on it. last one on the wall menu). they only speak french, so be warned.
cheap, easy eats. and good.

 

+1 to this. It's actually worse than something like 'fat American' what with Raqqa being a literal war zone and all.

Also the area is absolutely fine, anyone that thinks otherwise probably wants to take a look in the mirror rather than fearing other people unnecessarily.

 

or, honestly, they should just stay at home instead of turning their noses down at neighbourhoods while drinking another country's regional beer that was originally intended for the locals.

 

Any updates on availability? I have family that will be stopping at the brewery on Mon/Tues, primarily to grab bottles for me. They aren’t really into lambics so I’m just curious how often the Belgian IPA (BLIPA) is available? I told them they might enjoy that or the Kriek since the like sour cherries.

 

I'll be in Brussels again tomorrow but don't have much time so was thinking on going to Cantillon only if there really is something interesting to buy. Any updates? Is there any seasonal?
Thanks!!

 

Any chance anyone will be in Brussels May 11-12 and might want to meet up at a brewery or two and share some bottles?

 

Back on topic, maybe?

This morning for sale: gueuze (also magnums), RdG, Kriek and GCB.

On the premises board was impeccable as always. Had the new Lou Pepe Kriek (2016 sticker).

St Lamvinus will likely be sold like the FF (online, in a pack). LPK to drink on the premises only.

Cheers

 

Would love to hear what else was on the board