Kwak
Jul 26th, 2005, 04:03 PM
#9
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Not to rain on your parade, but you are going to one of the beer "mecca's" in the world and are looking for a beer that is really just an average beer with a gimmick.
All the types of beer have their particular type of glass in Belgium and other parts of Europe. This is to accentuate the taste and probably more for the aroma.
Why not treat yourself to something really special or unique?
Belgium offers some of the best beers in the world and the 't Brugs Beertje would be a great place to sample some of them. If it is touristy it is because it is full of beer lovers from around the world. Take advantage of the expert beer servers in the better cafe's or pubs and ask for their recommendations. Just like wine all beers are not created equal.
If you are traveling with a women, she may enjoy a framboise (raspberry) or a kriek (cherry), true gifts from the gods. You may enjoy a Trappist ale (brewed in a monastery by the Monks. Only six in the world, all in Belgium.)
My mouth waters thinking about it.
Have fun and enjoy, and remember, if you like it that is all that matters and my suggestions need not be taken.
All the types of beer have their particular type of glass in Belgium and other parts of Europe. This is to accentuate the taste and probably more for the aroma.
Why not treat yourself to something really special or unique?
Belgium offers some of the best beers in the world and the 't Brugs Beertje would be a great place to sample some of them. If it is touristy it is because it is full of beer lovers from around the world. Take advantage of the expert beer servers in the better cafe's or pubs and ask for their recommendations. Just like wine all beers are not created equal.
If you are traveling with a women, she may enjoy a framboise (raspberry) or a kriek (cherry), true gifts from the gods. You may enjoy a Trappist ale (brewed in a monastery by the Monks. Only six in the world, all in Belgium.)
My mouth waters thinking about it.
Have fun and enjoy, and remember, if you like it that is all that matters and my suggestions need not be taken.
Jul 27th, 2005, 03:50 AM
#11
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caroline_edinburgh, would it be equally sexist, in your opinion, if a poster had said something along the lines of, "if you're traveling with a woman, she may enjoy visiting some of the lace shops in Bruges"?
I am absolutely certain that some men enjoy lace shops and framboise and some women would prefer the most bitter ale to a framboise. I don't know for sure that significantly more women than men enjoy going to lace shops in Belgium, not do I know for sure that more women than men enjoy framboise or kriek. But if the latter is indeed true, the earlier poster's remarks do not strike me as being sexist.
Disclaimer: A statement is (or isn't) sexist, of course, entirely in the eyes and mind of the reader. So, what may be sexist (or anything else-ist) to me may not be to you and vice-versa.
I am absolutely certain that some men enjoy lace shops and framboise and some women would prefer the most bitter ale to a framboise. I don't know for sure that significantly more women than men enjoy going to lace shops in Belgium, not do I know for sure that more women than men enjoy framboise or kriek. But if the latter is indeed true, the earlier poster's remarks do not strike me as being sexist.
Disclaimer: A statement is (or isn't) sexist, of course, entirely in the eyes and mind of the reader. So, what may be sexist (or anything else-ist) to me may not be to you and vice-versa.
Jul 27th, 2005, 03:58 AM
#12
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If you decide to make a side trip to Ghent, order the big 1 liter Kwak at 'De Dulle Griet' on the Vrijdagsmarkt. Because the glass and standard are so special and they don't like to get them stolen, you have to give one of your shoes as a kind of 'collateral'. They put it in a basket and pull it up to the ceiling and you only get it back once you give the glass back 
Jul 27th, 2005, 05:04 AM
#13
"If you are traveling with a women, she may enjoy a framboise (raspberry) or a kriek (cherry), true gifts from the gods."
I don't think this is sexist - many women prefer a sweeter drink than "conventional" beer. Personally, I think kriek and framboise are the most appalling things ever to come out of a beer bottle. My dearly beloved shares this opinion, although she generally likes beer.
My main problem with the local beer in Brugge was the alcohol content. I had very much enjoyed a couple of glasses of one particular brew, then found I had all manor of problems trying to walk home. The next day I consulted the lable to find it was about 9.5%.
I don't think this is sexist - many women prefer a sweeter drink than "conventional" beer. Personally, I think kriek and framboise are the most appalling things ever to come out of a beer bottle. My dearly beloved shares this opinion, although she generally likes beer.
My main problem with the local beer in Brugge was the alcohol content. I had very much enjoyed a couple of glasses of one particular brew, then found I had all manor of problems trying to walk home. The next day I consulted the lable to find it was about 9.5%.
Jul 27th, 2005, 05:50 AM
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If I was travelling with a man & he assumed I'd prefer a sweeter fruity beer, he'd be drinking on his own.
Here in the UK we have a comic character 'Al Murray - The Pub Landlord' who is a caricature of the sort of person who used to hold those views - one of his catchphrases is "and a dry white wine or fruit-based drink for the ladies".
Maybe female drinkers in the UK are more sophisticated than you're used to ?
I travelled to Brussels a few years ago with a large mixed group & the only person who didn't like normal beer was a man.
Here in the UK we have a comic character 'Al Murray - The Pub Landlord' who is a caricature of the sort of person who used to hold those views - one of his catchphrases is "and a dry white wine or fruit-based drink for the ladies".
Maybe female drinkers in the UK are more sophisticated than you're used to ?
I travelled to Brussels a few years ago with a large mixed group & the only person who didn't like normal beer was a man.
Jul 27th, 2005, 06:14 AM
#15
Caroline, I live in the UK, and when I go out with a large group of workmates, the majority of feamles under the age of 30 seem to immediately order "Alcopops" in a variety of bizarre fruit flavours.
This is not a generalisation, merely a reflexion of my own experience. Similarly in any of my local pubs, the number of ladies drinking beer will always be outnumbered by at least 3 to 1 by alcopop drinkers.
I don't therefore think that the original statement about fruit flavoured beers was sexist, or an "outdated view".
My dearly beloved on the other hand has a preference for Bitters such as Tanglefoot, Bombadier and Old Speckled Hen.
This is not a generalisation, merely a reflexion of my own experience. Similarly in any of my local pubs, the number of ladies drinking beer will always be outnumbered by at least 3 to 1 by alcopop drinkers.
I don't therefore think that the original statement about fruit flavoured beers was sexist, or an "outdated view".
My dearly beloved on the other hand has a preference for Bitters such as Tanglefoot, Bombadier and Old Speckled Hen.
Jul 27th, 2005, 06:43 AM
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willit: you have a point, although I think it's also or possibly even mainly an age thing - I think a lot of younger men drink alcopops too. V. worrying, the younger generation losing the ability to appreciate real drinks !
Jul 27th, 2005, 06:56 AM
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Hi Caroline and willit,
I think it is also an age thing here in Spain ... When I was at the school, no 16 year old would have been seen with one of those "foul and vile" concoctions they prepare nowadays, a mixture of orange lemonade and banana liquor and peach whisky and ... the sweeter and stickier, the best ... Itīs a big problem nowadays, because they manage to get the alcohol at the supermarket, and then take over the public squares and get drunk, sometimes to the point of oblivion ...
We were drinking lager and GT when trying to act as adults
And my first kriek was offered to me by a french guy and I didnīt like it at all, way too sweet
Bye, Cova
I think it is also an age thing here in Spain ... When I was at the school, no 16 year old would have been seen with one of those "foul and vile" concoctions they prepare nowadays, a mixture of orange lemonade and banana liquor and peach whisky and ... the sweeter and stickier, the best ... Itīs a big problem nowadays, because they manage to get the alcohol at the supermarket, and then take over the public squares and get drunk, sometimes to the point of oblivion ...
We were drinking lager and GT when trying to act as adults
And my first kriek was offered to me by a french guy and I didnīt like it at all, way too sweet Bye, Cova
Jul 27th, 2005, 07:23 AM
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Hi cova : interesting to hear it's similar in Spain. I think I started off on brown ale before graduating to bitter & Guinness, with a dalliance with vodka & lime until I made myself really ill on it
Seriously, I do think alcopops are a problem as they don't taste of alcohol, so people can knock them back like lemonade although they are about the same strength as wine. I tried a ready made so-called 'Moscow Mule' once & it just tasted like ginger beer.
Seriously, I do think alcopops are a problem as they don't taste of alcohol, so people can knock them back like lemonade although they are about the same strength as wine. I tried a ready made so-called 'Moscow Mule' once & it just tasted like ginger beer.
Jul 27th, 2005, 07:29 AM
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As I said in my first message all beers are not created equal. I have had a kriek brewed by Girardin that was recommended as sour and I found it to be quite true and tart.
Caroline, you should try an oatmeal stout, it was invented for lactating mothers as I'm sure you are bare foot and pregnant.
Not that is an outrageously sexist statement, but I don't think my previous statemenent quite reached the level of outrageousness that you suggest.
Caroline, you should try an oatmeal stout, it was invented for lactating mothers as I'm sure you are bare foot and pregnant.
Not that is an outrageously sexist statement, but I don't think my previous statemenent quite reached the level of outrageousness that you suggest.
