Belgium Beers...

[EricMcN-II]

We dont seem to have a sub forum for the nectar from the gods - I finally got a rack to sort out my stash and spent far too long putting it together - I am not entirely convinced on its sturdiness, I need to bolt some supports to the rear - anyway, my stash is tidied up and i can relax with the good stuff

Avec Les Bon Voeux

[EricMcN-II]

I replinished my stock from trembling madness a few weeks ago

[Mighty Flex]

All very lovely stuff, but sadly my go to friend for sharing something strong and interesting from Belgium sadly lives 3 hours away and no longer drinks, so I don't tend to enjoy these often. My collection currently only consists of a selection of vintages of oude gueuzes, which I enjoy very much at the right time. This thread has reminded me I could do with some more.

[popegregory]

Where may I ask do you recommend buying Belgian beers from?

My dad used to go to the obvious answer regularly and came back with a boot full every time. Sadly those days are over, but I’ll never forget the grolsch kanon I think it was called.

[EricMcN-II]

popegregory said:

Where may I ask do you recommend buying Belgian beers from?

My dad used to go to the obvious answer regularly and came back with a boot full every time. Sadly those days are over, but I’ll never forget the grolsch kanon I think it was called.

Trembling Madness I got my last batch from - I do intend to visit Belgium and make a euro trip of sorts - The beers are on a different level to what junk available in the supermarket and the bottles dont really expire either, I have about 4 bottles of Westvleteren 12 and they are expired at least 5/6 years but can crack one open and savour whenever - a guy in a previous job went to the monastry years ago and got 2 crates and sold one crate at work and I got most of the bottles

[RKi]

I'd try to store them upright. Being Belgian they're all likely bottle Conditioned and will contain yeast sediment. Obv easier to leave in the bottom of the bottle when stored upright.

Each to their own though, some people like the yeast and a bit of Vitamin B in their beer :]

[EricMcN-II]

RKi said:

I'd try to store them upright. Being Belgian they're all likely bottle Conditioned and will contain yeast sediment. Obv easier to leave in the bottom of the bottle when stored upright.

Each to their own though, some people like the yeast and a bit of Vitamin B in their beer :]

The desirable corked beers are on the rack so the corks themselves wont dry out, I am ok with the sediment

[MonkeyBusiness]

Thread resurrection.

Disclaimer first. I am a stout man. I like strong (~10% imperials).

I had a trip last year to Belgium to 'see' a WW1 relative....you probably know the rest. Sampled quite a few Belgian beers.
So impressed I am going back.

I need some help please. I will be in and around the Ypres area.
Already plan to visit Brouwerij de Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren - are they worth the hype?

Where else to visit?
In a campervan so can stock up.

[FredericRobinson]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Thread resurrection.

Disclaimer first. I am a stout man. I like strong (~10% imperials).

I had a trip last year to Belgium to 'see' a WW1 relative....you probably know the rest. Sampled quite a few Belgian beers.
So impressed I am going back.

I need some help please. I will be in and around the Ypres area.
Already plan to visit Brouwerij de Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren - are they worth the hype?

Where else to visit?
In a campervan so can stock up.

Westvleteren blonde is good, the 8 and 12 are both superb, register online and book your slot about a week before visiting to buy directly from the brothers, I'll be calling in in a couple of weeks, if you're heading back that way Dranken Vanderwoude in Veurne is superb for stocking up, there's also a shop in Mons I can look up the name of if you want?

[MonkeyBusiness]

Thank you. That's very helpful.

Edit - Dranken Vanderwoude looks incredible.

Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Friday 12th June 19:55

[Legacywr]

Are these bottled beers as good as when you get it on tap in Belgium?

Also, are there any zero alcohol varieties?

[FredericRobinson]

Draft vs bottled is nothing like as big a difference as cask v bottle in the UK

There are no alcohol Belgian beers available, I haven’t the faintest idea what they are like though

[duncancallum]

Ok actually. In a weird way. Slight aftertaste but better than some

[NSNO]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Thread resurrection.

Disclaimer first. I am a stout man. I like strong (~10% imperials).

I had a trip last year to Belgium to 'see' a WW1 relative....you probably know the rest. Sampled quite a few Belgian beers.
So impressed I am going back.

I need some help please. I will be in and around the Ypres area.
Already plan to visit Brouwerij de Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren - are they worth the hype?

Where else to visit?
In a campervan so can stock up.

The Westvleteren 12 is a really good quadrupel. Although not sure if it is as good as it is hyped, can get similar beers just as good for cheaper. However, if you are going directly to the source, then probably is worth it as will be a lot cheaper and worth it just to see the brewery itself.

I love sour beers, especially lambics. However if you usually drink stouts, then this might not be your cup of tea. But both Cantillon, located in Brussels itself and Drie Fonteinen, located just south of Brussels in Flanders are both world class. At Cantillon you can do a tour of the brewery and get a beer included afterwards in the price. Drie Fonteinen has a great setting with a nice terrace to sit outside on a nice day and just around the corner is Boerenerf.

[zbc]

I know it's not strictly Belgian but I do like their beer,partly because I lived there about twenty years ago. They are near Ypres though so if you fancy something a bit different 3 Monts

[Harpoon]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Thread resurrection.

Disclaimer first. I am a stout man. I like strong (~10% imperials).

I had a trip last year to Belgium to 'see' a WW1 relative....you probably know the rest. Sampled quite a few Belgian beers.
So impressed I am going back.

I need some help please. I will be in and around the Ypres area.
Already plan to visit Brouwerij de Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren - are they worth the hype?

Where else to visit?
In a campervan so can stock up.

Not sure on your route to Ypres but if you are going through Rotterdam, De Cagny is superb for stocking up beers:

https://www.decaigny.com/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DmAxtCQDjYHFgz2W9

Dranken Vanderwoude has been on my radar but not been that way since I heard about it.

[Giantt]

Spent last week in Brussels,not any help on the bottle beer,but highly recommended
La Porte noir,small cellar bar off the tourist trail
L'Arhiduc,1930's art deco jazz bar, Saturday trio were amazing,great drinks, brought to the seats,no service chart

[FredericRobinson]

Harpoon said:

Not sure on your route to Ypres but if you are going through Rotterdam, De Cagny is superb for stocking up beers:

https://www.decaigny.com/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DmAxtCQDjYHFgz2W9

Dranken Vanderwoude has been on my radar but not been that way since I heard about it.

Belgian beer shop update, Drink Factory in Malmedy, good, not at the levels of Dranken Vanderwoude or the places in Mons or just south of Ghent who’s names I could find if required, but very decent. Hopefully stopping to see the monks at St Sixtus on Monday morning

[_Rodders_]

Think it was posted elsewhere, can't find it now.

From Lidl. Delicious so thanks for the heads up, whoever gave it.

[MonkeyBusiness]

_Rodders_ said:

Think it was posted elsewhere, can't find it now.

From Lidl. Delicious so thanks for the heads up, whoever gave it.

I got a couple of boxes. Very good selection.

Currently drinking ABT 12. It's lovely.