Going to Belgium

Hi,

I'm going to Belgium next week. I am taking back bottles home with me, but only for myself and to share with friends. I am looking for suggestions of what to bring home (and maybe what to try over there). Specfically, what beer is fairly available over in Belgium, that is hard to find here in the US (or So Cal). What are the 'can't miss' beers?

I love Blond, Dubbel, Tripel, Quad, Belgiian IPA, and I recently began enjoying Flemmish Bruin and Red. I've never tried a Gueze, but I imagine I would like it too.

I will be visiting Brussels ,Ghent Antwerp, and Bruges and I looked on the beer finder for bottle shops.

Thanks in advance.
Chris

Westvleteren 12, you can find it in brussels, or at the brewery. There are some more accessible style geuzes that are available such as Jacobins that are good and easy to find.

You should skim through the threads on the Belgium-specific forum
http://beeradvocate.com/community/forums/benelux.23/

I am sure that this question has been answered there.

Visit Cantillon. Bring back as much as humanly possible. Even if you don't like it, you can just use it as trade bait.

This is your answer.

just try anything new and if you like it bring it back

Pick up a copy of Michael Jackson's "Great Beers of Belgium." You can focus on the areas where you are going to visit to see if there are any true locals you may not be able to try outside of Belgium.

cantillon.

Michael Jacksons' book was a fantastic book, and deserves a place on any bookshelf. But as a guide, it starts to be a bit outdated, now.
Tim Webbs' Good Beer guide to Belgium is already a bit more up-to-date.
If you want my opinion, you could do worse than start in Brussels to go to the very central Moeder Lambic Fontainas (BTW, Cantillon brewery is 15-20 mins walking distance), and ASK the (very knowledgeable) staff there to guide you. Only place, BTW, where you'll find Cantillon by the handpump.
In Gent, go to de Hopduvel shop, and again, ask for guidance.
In Antwerpen, go to Oud Arsenaal first, let them help you, and then go to Kulminator - with a couple of trade bottles from where you come, offer them to the owner, and ask what you ought to ask for.
Brugge, same procedure @ Brugs' Beertje, and ask the staff where the REALLY interesting shops are.
My two Eurocents...

Let's not forget about the Struise shop in Brugge.

The best thing you can do if you drine a car is to visit Dranken Geers near Gent in a place called Oostakker. One of the best selections of beer in Belgium! Without a car it is a bit too far away, the same for the abbey of Westvleteren. Doopiedoopiedoo is right. Don't forget the Struise shop where you can taste the beers also. Their adress is Burg 15, right in the center of Brugge!

What did they say when you asked them that question?

It is 100% sure I never had to ask Daisy that question... She sometimes has hints for rather special offerings, but I fear she esteems I know the addresses a wee bit myself... And in tempore non suspecto, that kind of thing didn't exist as such.

And yes, I was thinking of the Struise beershop as well.