I am taking a trip to Europe, leaving in late August. Cantillon is on my list of must stops (probably the only reason we will stop in Brussels on the way to Bruges and Antwerp). I was curious about a few things: 1) What is generally available on tap or bottles for purchase/take home? Can I expect to find Iris, LP Framboise, St Lam, Fou Fone, 50N4E, Blabaer, other LPs? Do they have things on tap that they haven’t bottled before? 2) What is the best way to take, say, 12 bottles back home with me on a flight to the U.S.? I assume others have done this before rather than shipping to themselves. Are there cases that work well for this? Should I fail to declare the bottles (also , what is the legality of taking them across borders in the first place?)? 3) How many hours should I devote between train rides to Brussels and then heading out to make sure I get to take in the full tour, tasting, etc. at the brewery (and are there any issues with carrying the stuff around on trains)?
To clarify the above, those pics are the selections for bottle purchase to go. Those tend to change often, but only slightly, until a seasonal release. Don't be disappointed if there's nothing on tap because it's not a beer historically designed to be served that way. There are a few local outlets that get Cantillon draft lambic but generally, if you see things on top at festivals stateside, it's usually something they did specifically for that event. For drinking on site, expect the normal stuff on sale to go, and I think lately they've still had some 50N4E, and some past Zwanzes, and a few vintages. (I haven't been in a month or more, though, and it changes.) All in 75cl bottles at prices that, frankly, they could probably double. Lots of other threads share experience with bringing home lots of bottles; me, I only do 1-2 at a time when I'm visiting home back in the US; I just bubble wrap, tape securely and say a few novenas. For more specifics, also search in the Benelux thread. If I think of more, I'll come back, but have to run, now. Have a great trip! (BTW, I'd normally say don't skip Brussels, but swaths of non-tourist Brussels do close for a week or so during August, so ...)
Don't listen to this man! Great guy but he is not helping you this time around Go and take the self guided tour. Great value and really cool to see. Also most beers to drink on sight are very cheap. Also bring a beer to share with Jean and the other people. They always like to try new ones.
No...a serious answer on one of your questions. The best thing you can do if you want to ship the 75 centiliter bottles is to ship 11 and not 12. If you bubblewrap the bottles well and pack the you can stay UNDER 20 kilo which is cheaper. If you go above the 20 kilo price goes up like a rocket. Check the Bpost site from the Belgian Post to check out the prices... Good luck with the hunt. Thijs
You just give them the bottle. Don't open it there. I've heard from a few people that they give you a bottle in return. If not you are sharing a beer with JVR so it's win win either way.
Just got back from Cantillon a few weeks ago. Awesome self-guided tour and the guys there are easy to talk with. Don't hesitate to ask questions and take pics, as they say they don't have anything to hide. Nothing is on tap as they pour lambic direct from the bottle/pitcher. I enjoyed fresh lambic, Gambrinus, Iris, Kriek, and Geueze after the tour. As for bottles to go...most were sold out, like Fou, Pepe, St Lam, and other bigger names. Brought home some Gambrinus, Gueuze, and some Kriek. They had 2010 and 2012 Zwanze but for on premise. A glass of lambic is around €2.50. Picked up a couple Iris glasses as well. They close promptly at 5pm so make sure you give yourself some time to drink, chill, and do the tour. As far as bringing beer back...between Paris and Brussels I brought back a case of beer in my luggage. I brought bubble wrap knowing I'd be bringing back beer. All 12 bottles and Iris glasses made it back safely. Customs didn't ask anything about the beer. Just make sure that you declare it, you don't have to list every bottle. I just wrote beer/glassware on my form. Trains don't care about your beer so it shouldn't be an issue. I took the Thalys from Paris and there was plenty of space. No one will question you. In fact, the brewery is near the train station so it's not a big deal to carry things back to the train. I went at the end if the day so I wouldn't have to lug beer and glassware all over Brussels. Overall, I was expecting more when I arrived but I realized I'm not in a massive brewery. The funky aroma is awesome and the beer is great. I was there for two hours for the tour/drinking/purchasing. Enjoy yourself and have some good beer.
They typically have a decent selection to drink on premises. As others have said the last few Zwanzes, 50N4E and many of the regulars. It is in between seasons so most of the seasonals are sold out- the LP trio, Fou, etc. Blabaer is not sold in Belgium at all, not even to try on premises. More of it makes it's way to the States then back into Belgium. As for bringing beer back, an extra suitcase and lots of bubble wrap. It is roughly a 5-10 minute walk to the train station depending on how quick you are. How long you want to spend drinking is on you. I usually spend a few hours enjoying drinks, get there early as they close at 5 pm.
