I'll be traveling to Paris for a week and Brussels for a day in two weeks. I'm excited for the trip with my wife obviously but more so for Cantillon! I was wondering how many bottles Cantillon will allow to be purchased? Also, has anyone travelled with cases of beer on trains across Europe or shipped them home? I'll also be going to Bier Circus because of the proximity to Cantillon, we'll be walking from the train station. In Paris, I heard that Cave a Bulles likes to trade American Beers for european ones. Do you usually contact the owners beforehand? I'm sure i'll have more questions, but any other suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you!
I don't think there's a real limit to the number of bottles you can purchase at Cantillon, I have seen people leaving with 2 or 3 boxes and you can travel without any problem by train as you are still in the EU. Simon from La Cave A Bulles is always up for a trade, but I would suggest you contact him before going and check with him.
there is a limit at Cantillon now, but I think it's like 5 cases or something? note there are stricter limits on their limited bottles. right now you can buy 6 Fou Foune, 3 Lou Pepe Framboise, 3 Mamouche, and then others like gueze and rose on top of that
Simon Thillou / Cave à bulles 45 rue Quincampoix 75004 Paris Tel. 01 40 29 03 69 [email protected] The Brewberry - which so far was just a bottle shop - just opened a bar and it sounds promising. I think you may check it : https://www.facebook.com/brewberrylebar?fref=ts) Brewberry Bar 11 rue du pot de fer - Paris
Don't worry about limits at Cantillon, you can buy more than two people can carry. The limits on buying apply only to the seasonal special fruits. I'd go for taped-up boxes of 6 big bottles rathe than the 3-bottle carriers that are less secure. I bet that it would be easy to buy a big cheap carrying bag in the neighborhood if you need -- lots of wholesalers around the train station. (I couldn't name one but maybe they could at Cantillon.) No problem also with taking them on the train, there's no customs are whatnot, and plenty of space for big suitcases at the end of the cars. When you're wrangling big bags, beware of pickpockets and bag-snatchers in the stations that like to create a diversion (say, dropping something in front of you). BTW, in case of any possible confusion, I wouldn't suggest that Bier Circus is near Cantillon. It's probably a good hour walking, round trip. You could take a tram or metro between them -- possibly not a huge time-saver but to save your feet, say, one way. Or taxi wouldn't be much -- 10-15 euros?
I just got back from Paris yesterday, and was lucky enough to make it to cave a bulles (near the Pampidou Center) although I didn't make it to brewberry (pantheon - Latin quarter). Simon was just as welcoming and into beer as everyone has said. I missed Fou'foune by a day or so at the shop, but I drank a bottle on Zwanze so I was happy. He had 750s of Gueuze, Kriek, Iris, Brusc (1 left?), LP Fram and Mamouche (5 left). Also 375s of Kriek, geuze, and Gambrinus. The only limit was 1 Mamouche, everything else was up for grabs. He was extremely helpful and bubble wrapped each bottle before fittin them in a box with a carrying strap. I packed all 25lbs of it in the center of my suite case within 2 trash bags and then surrounded by dirty clothes. Total bag came in 0.1 kilos under the limit! I was more worried about theft than breakage but everything made it back fine. Enjoy your trip!
Thanks for suggestions and info, everyone! I'm leaving this Saturday and I can not wait! My only concern is buying too much at Cantillon and carrying it around all day, but @ManforallSaisons suggestion of a carrying bag may work. My wife wants to hit up a few chocolate shops after the brewery, so we may be walking all day. A taxi may be worth the money. Are there taxis readily available outside Cantillon?
Eek, hope I didn't over-promise on the bag. Taxis won't be immediately available without walking back toward the train station, but the incredibly nice people at the brewery can probably call one for you. Unlike in Paris (harrumph) the meter doesn't start until they pick you up, so, no problem calling one. Have a great trip.
