OT: Belgian Beer
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I've got a local bottle shop opening tomorrow. The owner is a mate, and has been asking me for stock suggestions.
It's not going to be cheap, but it's going to have the stuff I can't get in the supermarket (which does pretty well tbh).Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Definitely the way to go - the guy in my local bottle shop (Epicurean https://www.theepicureanbeers.co.uk/ ) is great - he always keeps stuff back for me that he thinks I'll like and lets me know when new stuff has come in that's up my street (normally stupid Imperial stouts and sours with fruit in them... 3 Fonteinen and so on).
My Friday lunchtime routine is usually to walk along to the bottle shop and chat sh*t about beer for a while and pick up a few beers for the weekend.0 -
On stouts/porters, this is a well loved Danish brew of long standing, available in all good dk supermarkets. There are three varieties, including a liquorice version and a whisky cask version. Well worth a look if you can find itbobmcstuff said:Definitely the way to go - the guy in my local bottle shop (Epicurean https://www.theepicureanbeers.co.uk/ ) is great - he always keeps stuff back for me that he thinks I'll like and lets me know when new stuff has come in that's up my street (normally stupid Imperial stouts and sours with fruit in them... 3 Fonteinen and so on).
My Friday lunchtime routine is usually to walk along to the bottle shop and chat sh*t about beer for a while and pick up a few beers for the weekend.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/954/3091/Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
My God, (literally) it seems we have narrowly averted a complete disaster.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/16/trouble-brews-between-trappist-monks-and-belgian-mineral-empire"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.2 -
Just spent a small fortune on 4 beers for my youngest's 18th. Large Cantillon gueuze, large Giradin Black Label gueuze and two small bottles of Westvleteren 12.
Yes, he's already on the expensive sh1t at 17... But these should be laid down a couple of years anywayWarning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Ah, Westvleteren 12. My end of days reserve. For when the apocalypse is imminent, I have a 6 pack available. €3.50 a bottle isn't it? In the In de Vrede shop opposite the monastery that is. Just have to get there again...
One of my pals last week made a loaf using the 12. Philistine.0 -
Vrede means "anger' in Danish, which is what I'm feeling seeing those prices quoted... That and jealousy. These cost as much as a decent bottle of wine.orraloon said:Ah, Westvleteren 12. My end of days reserve. For when the apocalypse is imminent, I have a 6 pack available. €3.50 a bottle isn't it? In the In de Vrede shop opposite the monastery that is. Just have to get there again...
One of my pals last week made a loaf using the 12. Philistine.Warning No formatter is installed for the format1 -
The 18th birthday beer crate in full
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How was the KBS and CBS? I absolutely love those beers... pioneered that barrel aged imperial stout thing, which is probably my favourite style...
Don't know the Gueze Girardin, will need to try and find it0 -
I should have posted my 33rd birthday box the other week, most of it wasn't Belgian although I did have one of the recent 3 Fonteinen releases and the Mikkeller Svensbaer which is the same style (albeit from Denmark)
(Ooh it's rotated)
The full box:
Although that's actually missing some of the fridge beers I'd been saving which I also took.
Like the Beer Geek Fudgsicle:
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We've not opened any yet, but CBS was the first of those big stouts I tried, and it stopped me in my tracks. They've stopped making it now (not sure about the KBS) so pick it up if you see it!
The Holiday Weekend came highly rated, 14% stout, also bourbon barrel aged, cocoa nibs, marshmallow and coconut. Probably not my cup of tea, but the lad loves big sweet stouts and dry as a desert gueuzes so I picked it up
The Giradin is decent, but get black label not white label. Driefontein do some beautiful gueuzes, but couldn't find one. I once splashed out on their Gouden blend...Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
The KBS is bourbon barrel aged so it's more hot/boozy on the nose. The CBS is barrel aged too isn't it but in maple syrup barrels so I remember it being more subtle (although no notes on my Untappd
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That Beer Geek Fudgsicle was a similar kind of thing and it is awesome... That started from the Beer Geek Breakfast, which is a bit like that too.
And yeah, I am not a huge fan of coconut in stouts.
I really like the Lervig 3 Bean if you find it, it's vanilla, cocoa and tonka beans, 12%... Tonka beans have a really unique cinnamon/woody taste which really goes well with cocoa and vanilla. It's probably one of the most bonkers "core range" beers out there, most of those big beers are limited or seasonal (I think KBS is seasonal). They did a barrel aged one and it unbelievable.1 -
We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
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Had a few new beers (for me) from the Liege area yesterday
They were all good. The Val Dieu blond crisp like a lightweight Duvel, the Tripel not too sweet or cloying and the Curtius crisp with some citrus and hop (will give it a better try soon, followed the Tripel so tasting notes are.... Suspect)
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For the supermarket shoppers or those missing a wider range of beers, I note my local Tesco (Batley) now stocks La Chouffe Blonde (330ml/£2)...plus currently has offers on 750ml Tripel Karmeliat (£4.50) and 750ml Leffe Blonde/Brune (£2.50).
Not Westvleteren 12, sure, but better than a kick in the bollekes.
Anyone any pointers or recommendations on Christmas/winter brews?1 -
A wander off subject slightly. That LaChouffe price looks pretty good. Price per bottle in 24x case from Vanuxeem in Ploegsteert last weekend was £1.41. Ok, Houblon Chouffe the hopped up version @ 9% vs 8% but still...
Though smug boy here got his 6 packs of Westvleteren 12 and 8 😊 €23 for the 12s, €19 for the 8s inc 10c per bottle deposit.
In full disclosure, there are some additional logistical type costs associated with buying in Belgium, but, if one is there anyway....
Friend of mine a few years back sent me a pic from a menu in some high falutin' gastro restaurant over Cambridge way with Westvleteren 12 listed @ £45. Each, not the 6 pack.1 -
Right, got a weekend in Brugge booked next month, what beers *have* to be tried there and what are the best beer bars? @RickChasey has already recommended 2be bar.
Anyone done brewery tours there?Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
I have done the Straffe Hendrik tour in Brugge. It’s got a nice restaurant bar to grab a bite and a beer or two.No_Ta_Doctor said:Right, got a weekend in Brugge booked next month, what beers *have* to be tried there and what are the best beer bars? @RickChasey has already recommended 2be bar.
Anyone done brewery tours there?
Other than that, I’ll say it again. The Staminee de Garre off the main square needs a visit just to try their trippel. It used to be (pre Covid) served with cheese, probably to help soak up the 11.5% it weighs in at. Actually it’s a very cheap way to get legless and quickly!
https://degarre.be/tripeldegarre/
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g188671-d1015471-Reviews-Staminee_De_Garre-Bruges_West_Flanders_Province.html
Really hard to find the hole in the wall (literally) behind which it hides.
You can always do a beer tour.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g188671-Activities-c42-t201-Bruges_West_Flanders_Province.html
Not far away, on Philipstockstraat, is this bar/restaurant that has a very good rep.
https://bierbrasseriecambrinus.eu/"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Been a few years now since been in Brugge, so my comments may be out of date... but agree the Straffe Hendrik brewery is a good stop. You don't have to do the tour.
There's the old school t'Brugs Beertje in Kemelstraat.
Cambrinus is good.
De Garre is down a little side lane off Breidelstraat off Grote Markt and as b_s says is def worth a visit, cozy, multi levels in this old building, good range.
Enjoy.0 -
Cheers, great recommendations all. Serendipity bumped me into a Belgian brewer from Leuven this evening, claims t'Bruges Beertje is the best bar in Belgium, so that's definitely on the list!
I'm also up for beer served with cheese, so de Garre sounds good 🧀🍻😊Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
If my memory serves me correctly, Rich is the last forum member to do the Brugge beer extravaganza.No_Ta_Doctor said:Cheers, great recommendations all. Serendipity bumped me into a Belgian brewer from Leuven this evening, claims t'Bruges Beertje is the best bar in Belgium, so that's definitely on the list!
I'm also up for beer served with cheese, so de Garre sounds good 🧀🍻😊
Should be in this thread somewhere...."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Back in 2020 just before lockdown though. But de Garre is excellent. I also liked Hof van Rembrandt as a decent quietish bar. 'T Brugs Beertje is good (as far as I can remember).blazing_saddles said:
If my memory serves me correctly, Rich is the last forum member to do the Brugge beer extravaganza.
Should be in this thread somewhere....
If you want to watch sport on the TV, Delany's Irish Pub (plenty of Belgian beer). For the bar they filmed a big scene from In Bruges in, DiligenceTwitter: @RichN950 -
Oh christ, just realised it's the last round of the Premier league 😱Warning No formatter is installed for the format0
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My daughter is on a cruise with college over the weekend going to Brugge. I told her to get me some beers but bizarrely due to some insurance issue her party have to stay on the boat so no beer (or chocolate) coming back with her!No_Ta_Doctor said:Right, got a weekend in Brugge booked next month, what beers *have* to be tried there and what are the best beer bars? @RickChasey has already recommended 2be bar.
Anyone done brewery tours there?0 -
They won’t see much of Brugge from a boat.Pross said:
My daughter is on a cruise with college over the weekend going to Brugge. I told her to get me some beers but bizarrely due to some insurance issue her party have to stay on the boat so no beer (or chocolate) coming back with her!No_Ta_Doctor said:Right, got a weekend in Brugge booked next month, what beers *have* to be tried there and what are the best beer bars? @RickChasey has already recommended 2be bar.
Anyone done brewery tours there?
What a weird trip.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Confusing Brugge with Zeebrugge? 😊
Couple more, reminders from one of my usual expeditionary force who takes more notice of names and places.
Opposite one another on Vlamingstraat, t'Poatersgat downstairs in a former crypt, and Comptoir des Arts also in a cellar.
Worth checking opening times, think both above are evening until late, and t'Brugs Biertje opens from 4pm.1 -
I think someone may have messed up and forgot to sort out the insurance. The main purpose is to give them an insight into working on a cruise ship (part of a performing arts course) but they may as well have gone to Butlins to experience life as a red coat if they are just staying on the ship. Luckily it was a freebie.blazing_saddles said:
They won’t see much of Brugge from a boat.Pross said:
My daughter is on a cruise with college over the weekend going to Brugge. I told her to get me some beers but bizarrely due to some insurance issue her party have to stay on the boat so no beer (or chocolate) coming back with her!No_Ta_Doctor said:Right, got a weekend in Brugge booked next month, what beers *have* to be tried there and what are the best beer bars? @RickChasey has already recommended 2be bar.
Anyone done brewery tours there?
What a weird trip.0 -
Better late than never I suppose. Lidl have a Dutch/Belgian week starting on Thursday.
The usual case of 6 (2 each of Draak, Bornem, Piraat.)
4 packs of 6.6% Bornem blonde, 6.6% Archivist blonde, (Trappist) 7.5% Leute Bokbier (dubbel dark) 7% Cuvee des Trolls pale ale."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
The 6 packs are very good - really like the Draak.blazing_saddles said:Better late than never I suppose. Lidl have a Dutch/Belgian week starting on Thursday.
The usual case of 6 (2 each of Draak, Bornem, Piraat.)
4 packs of 6.6% Bornem blonde, 6.6% Archivist blonde, (Trappist) 7.5% Leute Bokbier (dubbel dark) 7% Cuvee des Trolls pale ale.0 -
Was supposed to be going to Ghent next week for work, unfortunately I had to go somewhere else instead... lame.0