Ultimate Belgian beer trip

Discussion in 'Belgium' started by Goosey, Feb 5, 2013.

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  1. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania

    I know that this might sound a bit snarky, but it's not directed at anyone.

    But I think that it's better to be looked at as "wanting to be here" as apposed to "wanted to be here". People can tell the difference.
     
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  2. Tut

    Tut Initiate (0) Sep 23, 2004 New York

    I've had a real long day traveling in New Zealand, and it's late and I've had a bottle of great NZ wine, but I don't know what the hell you're saying. The potential snarkiness escapes me.
     
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  3. Goosey

    Goosey Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2012 Missouri

    I am young (22), but certainly not beyond taking advice from those older and wiser than me. I really want to see all of these places, but I do only have 5 days, and I would like the trip to be relaxing as I am currently stressed out of my mind being a tax accounting sr. as well as studying for the LSAT and CPA. Anyways I get out of class in Slovenia in the morning and will take the earliest flight to Brussels on Wed. So first night I will stay in Brussels and hit either Cantillon or 3F. Then I want to hit Kulmimator in Antwerpen which I have found a train that runs there. I know that Struise and Westvleteren are both in Vleteren so I guess I can choose one though that'll be hard. Can't find any quick public transit from Antwerp to Vleteren. Then on SatI want to stop at either Chimay or Orval, but probably Orval. Again I can't find trains to those places from Vleteren. Finally on Sunday hit Fantome or Achouffe on my way back up to Brussels for my night flight back to Ljubljana. Does that seem better? Also, ideas for transit between these places, or places to stay? Please feel free to chime in Tut or anyone else. And... Cantillon or 3F?
     
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  4. Tut

    Tut Initiate (0) Sep 23, 2004 New York

    It's your trip, but my advice stands. I'd never do all that in the time you have. Westvleteren is in West Flanders, the opposite side of Belgium from Antwerp. All you'll be able to do there is sit in the cafe across from the abbey and drink their beer - which is worth it, I guess. It's winter, so biking out from Poperinge isn't an option. You'll need a car and getting to the area and dealing with everything is going to eat up much time. There's much more to Antwerp than Kulminator. I've always been much more interested in experiencing Belgian beer culture and meeting people than visiting all the big ticket places like Orval. I've certainly done that too, but I'd rather mix with Belgians in good beer cafes that are off the tourist radar anytime.

    How long were you in Slovenia? I've been there many times and love it. It's the unknown gem of Europe. Hope you had a chance to explore it. Going back to see friends this summer as part of a larger trip.
     
  5. Goosey

    Goosey Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2012 Missouri

    I'll actually be studying abroad in Lujubljana for most of July, so this will be a summer trip, and Belgium is just an extended weekend trip that I am taking. I've never been to Europe before, but my Prof, Dr. Nowak helped set up the current Slovenian economy. I am also going to Munich and Frieburg on another weekend. Ok so based on you guy's advice, I guess that I am definately flying into and staying in Brussels on Wed, and will spend the better part of that day chillin in Cantillon. The rest of my trip I am open to any suggestions, but keep in mind I do want to see a lot of places, would love to use all public transportation, I know places are closed on random days up there, and I have plenty of energy for travel and have no problem with little sleep. So here are my musts: Kulminator at least one trappist brewery, preferably Orval, but Chimay and Westvleteren are certainly options, and at least one other brewery like Struise or De Dolle ect... Wants in order of most to least: Struise, DeProef, Fantome, Achouffe, and De Dolle. Suggestions? I am currently considering taking the train to Antwerpen on Thursday, taking a train to Ghent on Friday if there is one, and then I would need to find transportation to Florenville, Vleteren, or Chimay, and then transportation back to Brussels to fly out on Sunday. Thats a far cry from my original plan, but I do tend to be overly ambitious. Otherwise does that sound like a do-able route? Anything you would cut out or add in? Truth be told I would rather hit Struise than DeProef but I can't find any trains that run there, and I can't find any trains running to any of the trappist breweries. When I google maps these thing they don't seem far apart, but maybe google maps is skewing my perception. And thanks for all of your help and everyone else's help so far, it is very difficult planning out a trip to a foreign country, but I am a very organized, business-minded person, and like to have my trips well planned. OCD I believe it is called.
     
  6. tendermorsel

    tendermorsel Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2006 Massachusetts

    Struise schoolhouse and Westvleteren are out in the middle of nowhere and public transportation isn't a reasonable option. I am the biggest Struise fan boy ever and I haven't even been out there for this reason. If you want to get down with some Struise my recommendation would be to plan a night in Brugge. They have a bottle shop right in the center of town and there are countless other great things to do in Brugge. You can also hag with Bart from Struise who works at the bottle shop. You can drink there and get bottles to go. The Brugge Bear is worth the trip to Brugge also.

    Westverlten doesn't get me fired up. I don't think you can get a tour or anything like that and tons of places have Westy's bottles these days. I would skip that personally.
     
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  7. tendermorsel

    tendermorsel Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2006 Massachusetts

    Also if you are a beer geek and food I would highly recommend this place:
    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26992/view=beerfly
    Amazing seafood pared with awesome beers. Christophe and Stephanie are not messing around. It's a 15 minute train ride from Brugge and Oostend is a pretty sweet coastal town worth checking out.
     
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  8. DStoked

    DStoked Zealot (672) Sep 28, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    I'll throw myself into this fray, as I'm planning a beer trip to Belgium May 8-15. A few days in Brussels, and day in Amsterdam to visit a friend, and some combination of Brugge, Antwerp, and Westvleteren.

    Any local BAs that want to meet up and drink and/or do an IP trade let me know. Can't wait!
     
  9. Tut

    Tut Initiate (0) Sep 23, 2004 New York

    I think you're making a real mistake if you are only going to be in Brussels on Wed. and plan on spending most of it at Cantillon. I'd agree with tendermorsel's suggestion if you had several days, but not with just part of a day. By the time you actually get out on the streets, it will likely be well into the afternoon. If you can't spend a second day there, at least do more than Cantillon. I would suggest having a look at the Grand Place afterward and then going to Restobieres for an amazing dinner paired with great beers. Afterward, walk a few blocks to Brocante and enjoy some of their lambics in a cool neighborhood that is virtually tourist free. Brocante is an excellent beer cafe.

    Don't shortchange Brussels.
     
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  10. tendermorsel

    tendermorsel Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2006 Massachusetts

    Meh... Not a huge fan of Brussels. Personally I prefer the Flemish part of Belgium vs. the French. Brussels is a big bustling city. Yes it is the home of Lambic but if I only had a couple of days in Belgium I would spend them in Antwerp Ghent or Brugge before Brussels. To each his own I guess. I usually take the Eurostar from London to Brussels and Cantillon is 5 minutes from there and Modern Lambic is 15 minutes from there so I typically hit those two up and then double back to the train station to head elsewhere. Could just be me though too.
     
  11. Tut

    Tut Initiate (0) Sep 23, 2004 New York

    New York City, Boston, Vienna, Munich, and London are all big, bustling cities too - and they're full of energy, culture, and great things to see and do. I like the smaller Belgian cities you list as well as little villages with only a couple cafes, etc. I like them all equally, but for different reasons. Brussels has much to offer. I've spent over three months there since 1998, and still discover new things each time I visit. I don't neglect the rest of Belgium either.

    Maybe you should explore Brussels more next time. Check out the places and areas I listed, if you haven't already.
     
    tendermorsel likes this.
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