Belgium Travel Thread

[steinbbr]

Wife and I will be there from 10-13 Nov (Fri-Mon) and happy to meet up wherever. Likely will have a couple friends (in-towners and out-of-towners) along with us. If you get in on 13 Nov, then I believe you will miss OBD (11 Nov).

That's sounds great and will definitely meet up! Managed two types in my post...
Should read 8-13 Nov and DHVL

 

[BeerWorld]

That's sounds great and will definitely meet up! Managed two types in my post...
Should read 8-13 Nov and DHVL

I will be in Brussels Nov-5 to Nov-12. Traveling solo as far as beer activities are concerned. Will be making several stops at Cantillon during my stay as well as planning a trip to DHVL. Will be happy to meet up and split some beers.

 

[steinbbr]

I will be in Brussels Nov-5 to Nov-12. Traveling solo as far as beer activities are concerned. Will be making several stops at Cantillon during my stay as well as planning a trip to DHVL. Will be happy to meet up and split some beers.

Nice! Can't wait to meet up and share some bottles.

 

[BusinessSloth]

I will be in Brussels Nov-5 to Nov-12. Traveling solo as far as beer activities are concerned. Will be making several stops at Cantillon during my stay as well as planning a trip to DHVL. Will be happy to meet up and split some beers.

Going to DHVL? Bring €€€€€€

 

[BeerWorld]

Going to DHVL? Bring €€€€€€

Indeed. I was there last year and dropped a hefty amount. Was thinking of maybe going twice this time around since I will have a lot more time but I think my wallet won't stomach the abuse.

 

[ExPimp]

Going to DHVL? Bring €€€€€€

Haha, yea, I think it's always the most expensive stop in Belgium (especially if you plan on doing the tasting menu)! They definitely prefer € over cards as well.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

If you forget to bring cash or you dont bring enough there is a bank/atm a few blocks into Liedekerke from DHVL. They were very nice about me leaving to get more cash and coming back to finish tallying up.

 

[steinbbr]

Indeed. I was there last year and dropped a hefty amount. Was thinking of maybe going twice this time around since I will have a lot more time but I think my wallet won't stomach the abuse.

I've never made it there. I was really hoping to try Blauw and Crianza is it beyond reasonable $ wise?

 

[Gaseous Clay]

I've never made it there. I was really hoping to try Blauw and Crianza is beyond reasonable $ wise?

If they even allow you to buy one, theyre ~300-400 euro a pop. Dont start off by asking for a bottle of either of those and get food before you dive into their vintage list - it may give you the cred when you ask to open a bottle of blauw or crianza.

 

[steinbbr]

Wow! Definitely more than I was anticipating and thanks for the heads up on the ordering etiquette.

 

[BeerWorld]

If they even allow you to buy one, theyre ~300-400 euro a pop. Dont start off by asking for a bottle of either of those and get food before you dive into their vintage list - it may give you the cred when you ask to open a bottle of blauw or crianza.

Did the price double since last year? I had both at E175 a piece last year without building any cred whatsoever. Unless my dinner reservation made ahead of time gave me instant cred points.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Did the price double since last year? I had both at E175 a piece last year without building any cred whatsoever. Unless my dinner reservation made ahead of time gave me instant cred points.

My first time there was just recently so I can't comment on how it was in the past but from reports, ya, it's gone up quite a bit.

I am curious if that was a temporary bump due to the influx of foreigners for open beer days. I suppose I'll find out on my next trip.

 

[BeerWorld]

My first time there was just recently so I can't comment on how it was in the past but from reports, ya, it's gone up quite a bit.

I am curious if that was a temporary bump due to the influx of foreigners for open beer days. I suppose I'll find out on my next trip.

Millenium, Roze, Blauw, Heerengeuze, and Crianza were all 175 euros a bottle in March of last year when I was there and these were the most expensive items on the list if I recall correctly. Oh well....

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Millenium, Roze, Blauw, Heerengeuze, and Crianza were all 175 euros a bottle in March of last year when I was there and these were the most expensive items on the list if I recall correctly. Oh well....

There was a discussion about this recently on lambic lovers. Worth a read I suppose.

 

[Digita7693]

Millenium, Roze, Blauw, Heerengeuze, and Crianza were all 175 euros a bottle in March of last year when I was there and these were the most expensive items on the list if I recall correctly. Oh well....

That **** is silly; gone are the days of buying the bottles to go for 25€ each, and I thought that was expensive.

 

[GetchaPull]

Crazy! Those bottles were €175 each in late Aug. Literally laughable now (if over 300). 175 is insane as it is...

It certainly took me a fair amount more than ordering dinner to have the staff consider opening a Blauw.

 

[GetchaPull]

With that said, there are still some gems on the vintage list at very reasonable prices.

 

[ggfunk]

With that said, there are still some gems on the vintage list at very reasonable prices.

Any recommendations?

 

[Saind]

Any recommendations?

05 Orval
or just any vintage Orval

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Any recommendations?

Most of their vintages were well priced. Pre-2010 Iris vintages were 50-60€ and damn delicious.

 

[user 306926]

If any good TB'ers happen upon Moeder Lambic in the next little while and think to grab a glass for me I'd be greatly indebted. Had too much fun last time I was there and completely forgot to get one.

 

[Saind]

If any good TB'ers happen upon Moeder Lambic in the next little while and think to grab a glass for me I'd be greatly indebted. Had too much fun last time I was there and completely forgot to get one.

Do they sell glasses?

 

[ggfunk]

or just any vintage Orval

Well said!

 

[GetchaPull]

Do they sell glasses?

Yes

 

[stupac2]

Any recommendations?

Personally I've just gone through the vintages of Orval, Westy/Rochefort, and whatever aged gueuze they have. The vintage menu is so big and there's so much good stuff in there you really can't go wrong. Last trip I went to DHVL 3 days in a row and was still finding stuff to try.

 

[GetchaPull]

Any recommendations?

I'll echo the old Orval, as well as a few older 3Fs, Vin de Cereale, 20th Anny, old other Trappists, some others that escape me.

Really the food is just as good as the cellar list - top to bottom. The house spaghetti, any fresh seafood, any casserole-type dish. Speaking of which, they do Orvaliflette better than at a l'Ange Gardien! Not a Michelin restaurant, but very good, comfort/homestyle food.

 

[Saind]

I'll echo the old Orval, as well as a few older 3Fs, Vin de Cereale, 20th Anny, old other Trappists, some others that escape me.

Really the food is just as good as the cellar list - top to bottom. The house spaghetti, any fresh seafood, any casserole-type dish. Speaking of which, they do Orvaliflette better than at a l'Ange Gardien! Not a Michelin restaurant, but very good, comfort/homestyle food.

Orvaliflette is divine
Also, the tatjespap starter.

 

[BusinessSloth]

If any good TB'ers happen upon Moeder Lambic in the next little while and think to grab a glass for me I'd be greatly indebted. Had too much fun last time I was there and completely forgot to get one.

Might be able to hook you up. PM me so I don't forget

 

[matedog]

What the hell is DHVL? Did I miss out last time I was in Brussels?

 

[ggfunk]

What the hell is DHVL? Did I miss out last time I was in Brussels?

De Heeren Van Liedekercke
https://www.heerenvanliedekercke.be/?lang=en