Vttraveler

Despite the recent badoo.com poll rating Belgium the world's least cool country, my husband and I are headed there in a few weeks to visit friends, sight see and consume large quantities of beer and chocolate.

We will be based in Brussels and are planning to take day trips to Leuven, Mechelen, Tournai, maybe Brugge plus an overnight trip to Antwerp. I am interested in people's recommendations about beers to sample in these cities. I don't think we will be renting a car so visits to the Trappist monasteries are probably out.

Southam

Belgium invented the "French" fry, refined the best chocolate, celebrates mussels cooked in white wine as its national dish, and shelters so many breweries that counting them is almost impossible. Never mind that they can't elect a government. What's not to like, when your mouth is so full of good stuff?
Maybe it's badoo.com that's uncool.
Among Belgian stalwarts is the world's biggest beer corporation, InBev, with international operations that include Labatt in Canada and Brahma in Brazil. Most notoriously, it now runs Budweiser. I don't hold that against the Belgians because their staple seller in Europe is the very nice Stella Artois and their Beck's is okay too.
In fact you don't need to go to Belgium to drink Belgian beer; most places in Europe will be selling one brand or another.
Beer drinkers are gabby, so the Internet is awash with advice and opinions. Wikipedia is a good place to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_in_Belgium

FoFoBT

You will be spoiled for choice. There are beers for every taste. You might want to try a few from each type and then focus on the range available in your favourite style. There's even a beer perfectly matched to dark chocolate: Gildenbier
http://www.haacht.com/jsp/index.jsp?...t_folderid=163

Tournai is an interesting choice. I used to go there because I was interested in Tournai's tapestries and porcelain - much sought after in Belgium.

Vttraveler

Our main reason for visiting Tournai is the Cathedral, but we are also interested in seeing a city in southern Belgium. The post that was deleted was advertising the Brunehaut brewery near Tournai

joannyc

<< maybe Brugge >>

Maybe??? I'd defintely spend a night or better yet, two nights, there. I much, much, much preferred it and Ghent over Brussels. I even liked Antwerp moreso than Brussels.

Anyway, here is a brewery in Brussels (I didn't go here, went to some of the Trappist monestaries and Halve Man in Brugge)

Cantillon brewery Lambic, framboise, etc.
56, rue Gheude "\
Monday to Friday from 8.30 AM till 5 PM
Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM
Closed on Sundays and public holidays
An individual visit is possible on any moment of the day. A glass of beer is included in the fee.
Entrance fee: 5 EUR

bardo1

I would start here - the top 100 rated Belgian beers by the most trustworthy beer website (IMHO).

http://beeradvocate.com/lists/top-be

Try the many different styles -

Saison / Farmhouse Ale is a current favorite of mine - perfect for warm weather drinking

Here's a primer on 18 different style Belgian beers:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style

You and you travel companions should get different beers when ordering and try each others (somewhat akin to sharing plates at a tapas restaurant). Never order the same beer twice during your trip!

And where to go in the different cities:
http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/directory/6/BE

Vttraveler

joannnyc--I should probably have explained more about our reasons for the planned itinerary. We are staying in Brussels rather than Brugge and other possible locations to see our friends who live there and benefit from free housing at an apartment rented by other friends. Also, there are lots of things in Brussels we have not explored yet, especially the Horta museum and other Art Nouveau buildings.

I certainly understand the charm of Brugge -- it is beautiful and has some wonderful art work. But it is a little too perfect and museum-like and tourist-filled for me. We are setting a higher priority on seeing cities we have never visited, but I do think we may go to Brugge for a day.

bardo1--my husband and I usually order two dishes and switch half way through, so trying two different beers is an easy concept. Since we are staying at an apartment, we can also buy some beers and sample them there or at our friends' house. But there are certainly far too many to sample all of them.

indy_dad

I enjoy beer but admittedly don't know much about it. There are so many to choose from in Belgium. The two things that stand out for me were the uniqueness of the Lambic beer (glad I tried it, not my thing) and the generally higher alcohol content in the average Belgian beer.

I tried a Lambic sample at A La Bacasse in Brussels and enjoyed the brewery tour at Halve Man in Brugge (if you go). I really enjoyed the tour and the samples afterwards.

Not sure if that helps or not. Your friends should be able to guide you.

One of my first trip reports from my quick trip there: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ovice-long.cfm

FoFoBT

To help you find the places indy dad suggested, I'm posting their links (with the correct spelling):

http://www.alabecasse.com/
http://www.halvemaan.be/index.php?id=13&L=2

FoFoBT

There is plenty in Brussels to explore over a few days. You have to be willing to go beyond the obvious Grand'Place/Mannekin Pis sights. the Sablon is beautiful. The Atomium can be fun. In addition to the main museums, Brussels has lots of temporary art exhibitions all over the city - check the listings in the Bulletin (English language magazine) to see what's on during your visit.

Also as you plan to visit the Horta Museum (house), you are very close to one of the city's better eating districts.

From the museum, head over to the Chaussee de Waterloo (about a five minute walk) and start heading up the street (from the 400 block up). You'll find a variety of attractive, non-chain restaurants with something for most tastes.
Among the restaurants to check in the moderate price range (some have very good value lunch specials):
Lettre a Elise (grilled meats are the specialty)
En Face de Parachute (slipping a little, IMO, but...)
Toucan (popular neighborhood brasserie, almost always busy)
Le Fruit Defendu http://sites.resto.com/lefruitdefendu/ this is one of my favourite restaurants in Europe. Reservations almost essential.
L'Element Terre (vegetarian)

indy_dad

Thanks for cleaning up, FoFoBT.

Vttraveler

Thanks to all for the beer, sight seeing and restaurant recommendations. We will be staying quite close to the Chaussee de Waterloo (on rue Souveraine) so the list of places to eat there is helpful.

My husband is intrigued by the Atomium so we may go out to see that.

The last time we spent a few days in Brussels we had our 5 and 10-year old kids with us and they were not interested in leisurely strolls through different neighborhoods. We are looking forward to exploring the city.

bellini

my personal favourite
http://www.specialtybeer.com/beer,in...bourgogne.html

lavandula

I am quite partial to a kriek (cherry beer). Two of the more commercial brands are Belle-Vue and Mort Subite, and you can get them almost anywhere. They are usually based on a lambic. A slightly kitsch beer, if a beer can be kitsch!

Lavandula

joe4212

Vttraveler

Our 'bible' was the book called 100 Belgian Beers to Try Before You Die! by Tim Webb and Joris Pattyn. A really good reference.

Just checked and it's available on amazon.com and on amazon.co.uk it has four 5-star ratings.

november_moon

I don't know what badoo.com is, but the fact that Belgium is voted the least-cool country does not give me much faith in their methods. We loved Belgium. I mean really, what is not to like? We liked Brussels a lot too. The vibe of the city is great, but you've been there already, so you know.

Chimay is a pretty standard Belgian beer, but it is truely a lovely beer.

I don't think anybody mentioned the Rochfort - that is awesome stuff.

Of course the Bruges Zot is great - and as mentioned, their tour is really good.

bellini - I love (love love love) the Duchesse. I tried it at a beer festival earlier this year and it is the best stuff ever. And I recently discovered that they sell it in a local store. Yay.

Vttraveler

november_moon--I also wonder about badoo.com. Apparently a social network site most popular in Latin America, Spain, Italy and France. The nations voted coolest were the U.S., Brazil, Spain, Italy and France.

Thanks to all for the beer recommendations. I have printed out the list of the 100 top-rated and am noting specific favorites from that.

november_moon

Well that explains it - they have apparently mostly voted their own countries as the coolest. Nothing like being biased or anythiing

Lexma90

We had a great time in Brussels at Moeder Lambic, Place Fontainas 8, http://www.moederlambic.eu/; the staff there is very knowledgeable about and interested in the beers that they serve.

LSky

Anyone who thinks that Brussels is the least cool city doesn't know how to research.

You may be interested in working off some of that beer and chocolate if you plan to be in Brussels in Oct for the Biennal Art Nouveau.

http://www.voiretdirebruxelles.be/do...2011_final.pdf