Belgium Travel Thread

[Gaseous Clay]

BXL beer fest in August.

I don’t think I’ll be able to do BXL or OBD due to likely starting a grad program around then

And frankly I’d rather visit during a non-festival time so I can take everything in without tons of other beer tourists around. Last years OBD experience was fun but a bit offputting with all the whale hunters and bottle flippers around.

 

[stupac2]

Starting to plan my return trip to the motherland this year. Unfortunately won’t be able to do Quintessence or OBD, but am happy to go during a less popular time to spend a little more of my trip soaking up the beer and culture

Does anyone have any insight on what July/August looks like for lambic breweries and cafes? Any closures I should be aware of? If I recall, the o-Droom closes for a bit of time during the summer, is that right?

If you're going to Europe in the summer, expect things to be closed for weeks at a time. Generally speaking if there's anything you really must do, check with them about closures, they usually know well in advance.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

If you're going to Europe in the summer, expect things to be closed for weeks at a time. Generally speaking if there's anything you really must do, check with them about closures, they usually know well in advance.

Ya, fair point. I’ll reach out to the places I would like to visit on this trip. I expect having to navigate the closures, hence my OP.

 

[bostonvert]

I don’t think I’ll be able to do BXL or OBD due to likely starting a grad program around then

And frankly I’d rather visit during a non-festival time so I can take everything in without tons of other beer tourists around. Last years OBD experience was fun but a bit offputting with all the whale hunters and bottle flippers around.

Just avoid all of the lambic activities and even dorst, its pretty much a tourist trap, hit up some of the more local places. The owner of Den herberg just told me their first gueuze will be ready in about 6 months! More then happy to help with cool local bars and drinkshops.

DHVL is amazing in the summer and fall with outdoor seating and hands down my favorite beer place

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Just avoid all of the lambic activities and even dorst, its pretty much a tourist trap, hit up some of the more local places. The owner of Den herberg just told me their first gueuze will be ready in about 6 months! More then happy to help with cool local bars and drinkshops.

DHVL is amazing in the summer and fall with outdoor seating and hands down my favorite beer place

DHVL was a highlight of my last trip so if I can swing a dinner there I will certainly do it.

Thanks for your insight, certainly appreciated. Once this trip becomes official I will reach out for local recommendations.

 

[Maakun]

but am happy to go during a less popular time to spend a little more of my trip soaking up the beer and culture

Does anyone have any insight on what July/August looks like for lambic breweries and cafes? Any closures I should be aware of? If I recall, the o-Droom closes for a bit of time during the summer, is that right?

Not sure if Lambik-o-Droom closes during summer, but I think the best times to visit or Thursdays or Fridays when nothing else is going on. On their website it says you need 10 people for a tour, but they will also show smaller groups around. My best experience there was drinking sherry straight from the barrels that they were going to use to make Zenne.

Other places are quite cool to visit too during the week when it's quiet (when they're open ofcourse). Mostly Cantillon gets a lot of extra tourists during summer, and you can't see the brewing proces, but it's still worth going anyway.

 

[Detro]

July is probably peak time for closures throughout the EU. Id expect smaller and more local places to be closed for at least part of July but Im no expert. High risk, high reward?

 

[Digita7693]

Just avoid all of the lambic activities and even dorst, its pretty much a tourist trap, hit up some of the more local places. The owner of Den herberg just told me their first gueuze will be ready in about 6 months! More then happy to help with cool local bars and drinkshops.

DHVL is amazing in the summer and fall with outdoor seating and hands down my favorite beer place

Lol you say to avoid touristy places, including Grote Dorst, then follow that with an endorsement of DHVL? I’m so confused...

 

[bostonvert]

Lol you say to avoid touristy places, including Grote Dorst, then follow that with an endorsement of DHVL? I’m so confused...

DHVL is not strictly a tourist place, ever been there at lunch hour? It's very popular in the area with local people

 

[Digita7693]

DHVL is not strictly a tourist place, ever been there at lunch hour? It's very popular in the area with local people

I have been to both many times. Grote Dorst, due to its location and hours is definitely not strictly a tourist place. I would even go so far as to say Grote Dorst has a lot more locals than tourists, but it is just decidedly smaller.

They are very different places, and I personally have stopped going to DHVL largely due to their prices and them having taken on the attitudes of some of the **** lords who frequent their establishment.

 

[DCLA]

I have been to both many times. Grote Dorst, due to its location and hours is definitely not strictly a tourist place. I would even go so far as to say Grote Dorst has a lot more locals than tourists, but it is just decidedly smaller.

They are very different places, and I personally have stopped going to DHVL largely due to their prices and them having taken on the attitudes of some of the **** lords who frequent their establishment.

I went twice to Grote Dorst on consecutive weekends one summer and the first Sunday it was super mellow with only locals and we sat next to some and had a great time. The second Sunday there were a lot more "tourists" -- people ordering multiple bottles and creating a long line. It wasn't as nice but it was still okay since there's room outside to sit. You just never know how it's going to be but I wouldn't avoid it, especially if you've never been.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Flights are booked! Heading back to Belgium the first week of June if anyone wants to meet up and split bottles at Cantillon, De Cam, or 3F!

 

[LuxWanderer]

Have an extra ticket to see Greta Van Fleet in Brussels on March 27th if anyone is in town and interested in joining me. Cheers

Headed up midday to open a couple bottles at Cantillon too

 

[Gaseous Clay]

So i've skimmed and read most, if not all, of this thread and I still havent been able to answer a few questions.
Does anyone have any experience getting to and from Girardin and/or De Cam without a car? (I am aware that Girardin is to-go only).

I remember Uber being pretty easy to get in Brussels so I suppose I could take Uber to each location, but if I were to do that would it be possible to get an Uber back into town once I was dropped off?

Im not sure how doable Girardin will be, but I do want to go to De Cam as I have yet to go. The ideal plan would be to do De Cam during their open hours, dinner at DHVL, and then take the train back to Brussels. I will likely skip Grote Dorst as I will be traveling with my partner who isnt a big lambic enthusiast (yet), but if Uber seems doable in the countryside I may try to squeeze that in as well. Am I being a bit too idealistic here?

 

[rrryanc]

So i've skimmed and read most, if not all, of this thread and I still havent been able to answer a few questions.
Does anyone have any experience getting to and from Girardin and/or De Cam without a car? (I am aware that Girardin is to-go only).

I remember Uber being pretty easy to get in Brussels so I suppose I could take Uber to each location, but if I were to do that would it be possible to get an Uber back into town once I was dropped off?

Im not sure how doable Girardin will be, but I do want to go to De Cam as I have yet to go. The ideal plan would be to do De Cam during their open hours, dinner at DHVL, and then take the train back to Brussels. I will likely skip Grote Dorst as I will be traveling with my partner who isnt a big lambic enthusiast (yet), but if Uber seems doable in the countryside I may try to squeeze that in as well. Am I being a bit too idealistic here?

Yes to Uber, otherwise it's a pain, at least for de cam. Last time I rented a bike, which was fun, though a hectic ride back to Brussels to return it in time. Public transportation involves busses, which I always hate when I can't speak the language, but if that doesn't bother you then maybe it's doable?

 

[stupac2]

So i've skimmed and read most, if not all, of this thread and I still havent been able to answer a few questions.
Does anyone have any experience getting to and from Girardin and/or De Cam without a car? (I am aware that Girardin is to-go only).

I remember Uber being pretty easy to get in Brussels so I suppose I could take Uber to each location, but if I were to do that would it be possible to get an Uber back into town once I was dropped off?

Im not sure how doable Girardin will be, but I do want to go to De Cam as I have yet to go. The ideal plan would be to do De Cam during their open hours, dinner at DHVL, and then take the train back to Brussels. I will likely skip Grote Dorst as I will be traveling with my partner who isnt a big lambic enthusiast (yet), but if Uber seems doable in the countryside I may try to squeeze that in as well. Am I being a bit too idealistic here?

Keep in mind with De Cam that you're at Kurt's whims. He was... less than enthusiastic when we went there. I've heard similar from other people. It was neat (although I was there with Raff so I think we got somewhat special treatment), but if it's logistically a hassle then I'd say don't bother, given the odds that you'll just be grumped out of there.

 

[rrryanc]

Keep in mind with De Cam that you're at Kurt's whims. He was... less than enthusiastic when we went there. I've heard similar from other people. It was neat (although I was there with Raff so I think we got somewhat special treatment), but if it's logistically a hassle then I'd say don't bother, given the odds that you'll just be grumped out of there.

Man, he was super nice to me, both times I've been.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

Yes to Uber, otherwise it's a pain, at least for de cam. Last time I rented a bike, which was fun, though a hectic ride back to Brussels to return it in time. Public transportation involves busses, which I always hate when I can't speak the language, but if that doesn't bother you then maybe it's doable?

Have you taken uber to de cem before? Were you able to grab an uber in Gooik back to Brussels (or anywhere other than Gooik)? Im not ruling out buses but they would certainly be a last option.

Keep in mind with De Cam that you're at Kurt's whims. He was... less than enthusiastic when we went there. I've heard similar from other people. It was neat (although I was there with Raff so I think we got somewhat special treatment), but if it's logistically a hassle then I'd say don't bother, given the odds that you'll just be grumped out of there.

That seems on par with Belgian service, being at the whim of the proprietor. I havent heard any negative reviews of people who have visited though. Given their hours I dont anticipate spending more than a few hours there, but the cafe is on my lambic bucket list and i'd love to grab some bottles of Lambiek and Geuze to bring home. Fair point though, and if it seems like a hassle I may end up skipping it in favor of Grote Dorst which seems equally as doable without a car.

 

[rrryanc]

Have you taken uber to de cem before? Were you able to grab an uber in Gooik back to Brussels (or anywhere other than Gooik)? Im not ruling out buses but they would certainly be a last option.



That seems on par with Belgian service, being at the whim of the proprietor. I havent heard any negative reviews of people who have visited though. Given their hours I dont anticipate spending more than a few hours there, but the cafe is on my lambic bucket list and i'd love to grab some bottles of Lambiek and Geuze to bring home. Fair point though, and if it seems like a hassle I may end up skipping it in favor of Grote Dorst which seems equally as doable without a car.

No, I've driven and biked. I did look at Uber in the country and it reaches pretty far out from Brussels. I think you'd be fine.

 

[stupac2]

Man, he was super nice to me, both times I've been.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

When I went he clearly didn't really want to be talking to us, and I've heard similar from other people. Our experience may be the odd one out but I wanted to warn him.

Given their hours I dont anticipate spending more than a few hours there

Unless it's a new space I can virtually guarantee that, it would be hard to. Well unless Karel likes you and chats you up forever!

Grote Dorst which seems equally as doable without a car.

There's a bus that goes close to Grote Dorst, at least, De Cam is a bit farther out in the country (at least IIRC, I was following a guy in our rental car and it sure felt out there) so I'm not sure that's as doable.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

When I went he clearly didn't really want to be talking to us, and I've heard similar from other people. Our experience may be the odd one out but I wanted to warn him.

Unless it's a new space I can virtually guarantee that, it would be hard to. Well unless Karel likes you and chats you up forever!

There's a bus that goes close to Grote Dorst, at least, De Cam is a bit farther out in the country (at least IIRC, I was following a guy in our rental car and it sure felt out there) so I'm not sure that's as doable.

I have a pretty charming face and an appreciation for the bagpipes, we'll see how it goes.
Thanks for your help.

 

[SeaWatchman]

Keep in mind with De Cam that you're at Kurt's whims. He was... less than enthusiastic when we went there. I've heard similar from other people. It was neat (although I was there with Raff so I think we got somewhat special treatment), but if it's logistically a hassle then I'd say don't bother, given the odds that you'll just be grumped out of there.

*Karel’s
*Raf

 

[bostonvert]

I have a pretty charming face and an appreciation for the bagpipes, we'll see how it goes.
Thanks for your help.

It all depends how busy he is and it has occurred that he's not to keen on talking to much to foreign beer tourist and ends up chatting with me (local) but just keep in mind thats its pretty much a one man show and no matter how much you love beer and everything related I can imagine sometimes your just a little tired of it. And some visitors to tend to stick around for a very long time, remember there are no chairs or anything, you pretty much stand around and watch him work.

When would you be visiting De Cam? You can skip the cafe next door, not worth the visit anymore. Try this place instead, one of my local bars and wonderful on a sunny day with great outside seating and its been there for decades.

https://www.ratebeer.com/p/in-den-haas-gooik/32700/

Save yourself the hassle and rent a car in Brussels, public transport is a nightmare especially on a sunday.

 

[Digita7693]

It all depends how busy he is and it has occurred that he's not to keen on talking to much to foreign beer tourist and ends up chatting with me (local) but just keep in mind thats its pretty much a one man show and no matter how much you love beer and everything related I can imagine sometimes your just a little tired of it. And some visitors to tend to stick around for a very long time, remember there are no chairs or anything, you pretty much stand around and watch him work.

When would you be visiting De Cam? You can skip the cafe next door, not worth the visit anymore. Try this place instead, one of my local bars and wonderful on a sunny day with great outside seating and its been there for decades.

https://www.ratebeer.com/p/in-den-haas-gooik/32700/

Save yourself the hassle and rent a car in Brussels, public transport is a nightmare especially on a sunday.

I get being annoyed, but I honestly don’t accept it. If you’re going to be open to having people in, people that are driving your business, suck it up and be affable. There are plenty of brewers w ten times the business who are friendly. Or, get someone to run visits for you who can smile once in a while.

 

[Gaseous Clay]

It all depends how busy he is and it has occurred that he's not to keen on talking to much to foreign beer tourist and ends up chatting with me (local) but just keep in mind thats its pretty much a one man show and no matter how much you love beer and everything related I can imagine sometimes your just a little tired of it. And some visitors to tend to stick around for a very long time, remember there are no chairs or anything, you pretty much stand around and watch him work.

When would you be visiting De Cam? You can skip the cafe next door, not worth the visit anymore. Try this place instead, one of my local bars and wonderful on a sunny day with great outside seating and its been there for decades.

https://www.ratebeer.com/p/in-den-haas-gooik/32700/

Save yourself the hassle and rent a car in Brussels, public transport is a nightmare especially on a sunday.

Thanks for your insight, I really appreciate it. If I choose to visit De Cam it would be early Sunday afternoon before making my way to DHVL.

A bit disappointing to read it may not be entirely worth the hassle of getting to and from Gooik. I may have to reconsider if taking Uber both there and back doesn’t seem entirely doable.

Thanks for the recommendation for In den Haas.

I get being annoyed, but I honestly don’t accept it. If you’re going to be open to having people in, people that are driving your business, suck it up and be affable. There are plenty of brewers w ten times the business who are friendly. Or, get someone to run visits for
you who can smile once in a while.

That’s fair. In some ways I have come to appreciate that attitude in European businesses. No ********, no frills, just their product and you can enjoy it if you like or eat **** if you don’t. Obviously don’t like being dogged out of an establishment but I wouldn’t demand an artist be nice while I buy their painting. I see the same for geuze. It’s a bonus when the brewer/blender is as nice as some are (e.g. Armand).

 

[bostonvert]

I really do think you should check it out, no matter how much of a hassle it is! I've been going for years and well De Cam is in my opinion the best lambic experience you can get, you pretty much walk straight into the warehouse and seeing those ancient Pilsner barrels in the next room is so cool! Best time to visit would be right when he opens up (3Pm)

Took a buddy from NH to De Cam and went straight to DHVL after and well it doesn't really get any better. Shoot me a PM if you need any local help.

 

[loldor]

Does anybody know whether 3 Fonteinen, Cantillon or Moeder Lambic have different opening hours the Saturday before Eastern (March 31st)?

Planning to spend the day and night in Brussels with some friends and it just occured to me I may have picked the wrong weekend.

 

[steinbbr]

Anyone free to split some bottles at Grote Dorst on April 8th? I’ll be coming in hot off the red eye and looking for some of you fine people to hang with!

 

[primebeer]

Anyone free to split some bottles at Grote Dorst on April 8th? I’ll be coming in hot off the red eye and looking for some of you fine people to hang with!

Yes. Hit up me and evmo31. We have rough plans to go on the 8th!

 

[steinbbr]

Yes. Hit up me and evmo31. We have rough plans to go on the 8th!

Awesome! Gents are you around as well? Saind GetchaPull BelgianChris