So I will be doing a trip which will include Belgium for only one day. I am a beer nut, so this is a highlight of the trip for me. So, I am looking for things that I need to see that I can’t afford to pass up beer wise. Though I’m a beer nut, I don’t know too much about Belgium or the beers aside from what I can get in the US. Anywho I have made a list thus far, we will be staying at Novotel Brugge Centrum; I’m not sure where that is in relation to the things on my list and how feasible it will be to get to some places. Basically, I need to go to at least one bar and one bottle shop, I want to come back with plenty of treats, including at least one Westy 12. Here is my list so far, if you have anything to add as far as good places to visit, suggestions for my itinerary as far as lumping together multiple nearby locations, or beer rarities that I should add, I would be so grateful. Beers • Tripel Karmeliet • De Dolle Dulle Teve 10º (Mad Bitch) • Westvleteren 12 • Westvleteren Blond • Westvleteren Extra 8 • Cantillon Faro • Cantillon Blåbær Lambik • Cantillon Crianza Helena • Cantillon Iris • 3 Fonteinen J & J Oude Geuze Blauw • 3 Fonteinen Straffe Winter • Dupont Avec les Bons Voeux • Fantôme Saison • Rodenbach Alexander • Struise Aardmonnik / Earthmonk • Struise Black Damnation • Struise Pannepot • Struise Tsjeeses • Struise St. Amatus - Oostvleteren 12 Bars • ’t Brugs Beertje - Kemelstraat 5, Brugge • De Kelk - Langestraat 69, Brugge Bottle Shops • De Bier Tempel - Philip Stockstraat 7, Brugge • The Bottle Shop - Wollestraat 13, Brugge • De Bierboom(bar/bottle shop) - Langestraat 73, Brugge • Bacchus Cornelius - Academiestraat 17, Brugge
If you're going to de Heeren, where you can get the Crianza Helena, try the 3F J&J Rose and Blauw. Big time wales.
For some nice Struise beers you can go to the Struise beershop. The adress is Burg 15, right in the center. You will meet either David or Bart (Yapi on BA). Three beers on tap and some nice bottles to buy. You will be able to buy Westvleteren 12 in Brugge but they will cost you some....about 10 to 12 euro a bottle. Forget Blabear, it is not for sale in Belgium. Some other bottles on your list like the Cantillon and 3F will be VERY hard to get, if not impossible when you are there for a day. Have fun there and greet Bart or David from me! Thijs
While in Brugge, hit up Cambrinus. It's a great bar off the main square with 1100 bottles. There's also a nice little bottle shop a couple doors down.
You'll be staying close to De Halve Mann, they often get over looked. I would for sure hit the Struise shop. I don't know Bart that well but if you meet David right before lunch he might take you for a walk and show you a place or two to go too. I'm not clear on your time restraints and how mobile you are. But outside of Brugge is De Bierloods - Bierhuis De Zytholoog. Basically I love Brugge, but it is what it is and it's not that in tune to beer geeks. Here is a great bar/bottle shop where you can chat about beer. 18 km east. GPS 51.204862 3.48351 And I've found some a few surprising bottles in what looks to be a convenience store beer shop. So if you pass a window of beer, walk in. One of my favorite beers in Pius X by De Graal. You can only get it at De Windmolen - Carmersstraat 135 - GPS 51.208905 3.227208 and about 2 km from your hotel. Don't forget that many Belgian's do like American beer. The ratio in Brugge might be less, well way less, but it never hurts to have a few bottles in your day bag to bring out as presents. You'll know when to share.
Helena , very expencive , at de heeren Aardmonnik , not for sale anymore ( only made once each 2/3 years ) Rodenbach alexander , you can get it at de heeren , VERY expencive , 25 cl bottle Straffe winter , not for sale anymore Cantillon faro , only to drink at chez moeder lambick in Brussels ! Not for sale , not bottled
Thanks so much for the help thus far. This is part of a multiple country guided tour so I can only be there for what looks to be a half day. Personally, I would have rather just gone to Belgium, but I guess I just need to make the most of it. My next step will be eliminating some places and trying to get a grasp on where everything actually is so I know what is feasible. Thanks again.
Thanks for the advice so far. This is what I have thus far: Bars 't Brugs Beertje - Kemelstraat 5, Brugge Hours: Closed Wed, 1600-0100 weekdays, 1600-0200 weekends de garre - Belgium 8000, Brugge Hours: Th-Tu 12pm-12am Bierbrasserie Cambrinus - Philipstockstraat 19, Brugge Hours: Weekdays 11am - 11pm; weekends 11am - ? Bottle Shops De Bier Tempel(If Amsterdam doesnt have Westy) - Philip Stockstraat 7, Brugge The Bottle Shop - Wollestraat 13, Brugge Hours: 0900-1900(winter); 0900-2300(summer); closed Tues Struise Bruges Beershop - Belgium 8000, Brugge Hours: 11 to 13 & 14 to 19 De Bierkoning - Netherlands 1012 ZL, Amsterdam Unfortunately, I think I will be there on Wednesday and it seems that most bars are closed then. Any ideas for food and Chocolate shop nearby?
Lastly, what's the best way to find my way around? Is it possible to use phone gps? Not sure how that works.
Yep, I spent a day in Brugge back in April. I had a fantastic 3-hour lunch with the most exclussive Belgian beers: Westvleteren 8, 12, Cantillon Fou Foune, and others. Food is amazing as well. It's a touch pricey but "when in Rome..."
The Struise Bruges Beershop is now open every day of the week, the opening hours are from 1:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Bruges city centre is not that big so a simple map will already get you to most points of interest ! There plenty of chocolate shops and food places in the city centre, try the one which looks most inviting !
This isn't really something for the BA forums, so I apologize, but I also wanted to ask about cell phones and gps on the cell. How does this work coming from the US? I assume neither will, if not, what are my options?
My advice is to leave the cell in your hotel room. Hook up to the wifi if your hotel has it, and map it from there. Otherwise if you turn on your cell and try to use the GPS off of your network you will get charged A LOT by your carrier. From there use an old fashioned map, and ask around. It's not too bad, and you can meet some locals! Hell, I found many of the places you mention just by walking around asking women in some of the chocolate shops (downtown Brugge has some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen, so this is relatively painless )
GPS is fine, but your usual mapping application will want to download data, and more than anything else you want that turned off or you will pay hundreds. There are mobile apps that allow you to preload maps and use your GPS. It's easy to get turned around in Brugge if you aren't there long. And ’t Brugs Beertje is a nice little bar.
I was in Brugge at the end of July with my wife. If you have time to get it or download on iTunes get the Rick Steves book for Belgium. For food and sights it is very helpful. I went to 't Brugs Beertje and it is worth the stop. Great bar with an incredible selection and all the proper glassware. As someone else mentioned check out De Halve Mann. They have tours during the day that start every 30 or 45 minutes. If you are a quad fan check out the beer and gift shop. I got 4 bottles of the Straffe Hendrik Heritage 2011 Quad. It is an oak aged quad. According to the head brewer he is starting to drink his at 8 years and taking it out to 12. I think they were selling for 11.50 euro for a 750ml in a wood case. I saw the same beer at The Bottle Shop for 75 euro. Speaking of The Bottle Shop it is worth stopping. Prices are a little high because of location and tourists but it is impressive. The cute blond behind the counter gave me 4 free beers due to the amount I bought. As far as chocolates look for a shop named Dumon. Mind blowing good.
I also need advice on bringing beer there and bringing it back. I am bringing some very valuable beer with me for a trade. What is the best way to pack it etc.? Probably bubble wrap in check-on bag? Do places ship beer? I plan on going to De Bierkoning in Amsterdam.
i always just wrap it in a t-shirt. pack the bottles closer to the bottom (wheels) and make sure things aren't rolling around and loose.
Bubble wrap is your friend along with freezer bags. If you can find wine sleeves than even better, especially if you are getting some 750ml bottles. Packing them in your checked bag is the way to go. When you go through customs go through the nothing to declare line and hope they don't open your bag which more than likely they won't.
For the people going into the USA as far as I can tell you don't pick your line. While on the return flight you are given a form (no pen) to fill out that has an area for what are are declaring. I suggest being honest on the form. I declare "beer", normally at a $150 value. At your first check point you'll have no luggage, you get a few questions and the form gets stamped. As far as I can tell this is when it's determined if your bags get searched. Then you go to baggage claim, get your checked bags and go to the next checking area. There are two, search and non-search. My first beer haul return I was told to go to the search area. If applicable when they open your bags you might want to mention that you are only carrying beer, no spirits. My second trip I assumed that I had to go to that area and I was told to leave, to go to the normal line. Which was longer and I think that the agents thought that I was trying to take a short cut. Out of six trips I've only been searched once. At the second point you'll be asked more questions. These seems to be more probing. I imagine that if you at weird you could be sent from the non-search to the search area, but I've never seen that happen.
Can more of you tell me about whether I should declare it or not? I have only been over seas once and at that time I never had to deal with any of this, so I would appreciate any advice, am I not particularly intrigued by losing $400 worth of beer!
Always declare it! Simple as it is customs is not very interested in beer, more in liquor. When you should pay any taxes it will be for a very decent price..... Thijs
I have traveled back and forth from Europe to the USA many times with my bags full of beer. I use clothes to protect the bottles and have never had an issue. Be somewhat honest on the customs declaration. They honestly will only give you a problem if they think you are trying to hide something. A customer's agent doesn't want to take the time or do the paperwork for taxes on 100-200 dollars worth of beer unless they have to. My last trip I came back with 9x750ML and 14x12 oz and declared 200$ worth of beer and went through without any issues.
Another piece of advice... I wouldn't obsess about getting every whale beer on that list. Some of them are going to be real hard to get and even if they are available it would probably be for on-site drinking only. Enjoy the city, food and people. Some of the best times I have had over in Belgium were sipping on Orval/Westmalle/Gouldenband/Rodenbach ect. at a "normal" cafe. You will find very good stuff at Brugge Bear however. Sometimes hunting the whales takes away from actually enjoying the trip and I also believe that sometimes the whales will find you. One of my all time wants was a Quebec Bier De Champagne by a very obscure French Canadian brewery. While I was at Brugge Bear another patron brought a bottle for Daisy and offered me some. I also alway keep a few American bottles/cans in my backpack to share with others as it works both ways If you really want to tick those whales go to De Heren. Even beyond the sick beer list the place has great food too. They will have most of the stuff on your list but I have heard that they are not as leanient with take away bottles as they used to be especially with non-natives. Another personal favorite of mine is: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/26992/view=beerfly It's in Oostende on the coast a quick 15 minute train ride from Brugge.
"the whales will find you" haha that is a good line. Im going to Belgium in a couple days, I cant seem to find Tilquin brasserie on any maps. Is it in Brussels? I will be there for 3 days and definitely wanna hit up 3F and Cantillon. What other brasseries are close to those them? Thanks for the info on flying with beer, it was helpful.
I dont know. I'm probably just gonna go to Moeder Lambic I guess they have it all. Not really interested in seeing the brew places just drinking the beers
Make sure and call ahead for a reservation at Cambrinus. This past Saturday they were booked solid! They also normally have Westy 8's on the menu.
