Staying in Lille for Euro 2016 later this year and thinking of heading to Belgium for a beer day trip. Tournai and Kortijk appear very accessible by train. Any recommendations for either or alternative locations? Was thinking of keeping it relatively local rather than spending time on train going to Bruges or Ghent (great as they both are!).
If you rent a car, you'll be within an hour drive of Westvleteren, de Struise, St. Bernardus in Belgium, and Brasserie Thiriez in France.
ive done a day trip to Kortrijk from lille, very easily done on the train, nice little town with a few good little pubs, I cant remember them to give you specific recommendations but there were a few just off the main square that had good Belgian beer lists
Westvleteren and Sint-Bernardus are only a 50 min drive from Lille, but you'll need to rent a car for this. Or you can go to Poperinge by train and take a cab or bus (30 min) from there. A rental car will be cheapier and faster than the combined train/cab though. If you go to Poperinge you should visit the Hopmuseum (http://www.hopmuseum.be/en/home-2). It's a museum dedicated to hop (as you probaly already have guessed) but you can also buy beers and they have a 'Belgian Beer Wall' (all bottle Belgian beers). Not beer related: Talbot House (Poperinge center) or Tyne Cot Cemetery (Zonnebeke, definitely need a car for this). Also, if you are staying in Lille, some tips: They have a free zoo (located next to the citadelle), bakery Meert (delicious vanilla waffles), Vieille Bourse, Opera House, ...
Actually an attractive town. Check out the Good Beer Guide. Tournai's also nice and I know people who've done both easily by train from Lille. We can come back with specifics but you're going in a good direction.
