Belgium Travel Thread

[stupac2]

Do you have up-to-date info on the restaurant / retail shop hours? We are heading out there at the end of the month of Quintessance and CBC and would like to check out Drie as well.

I don't. The hours are on their website, I think. But contact them ahead of time. The second time I went there the shop was supposed to be open, but there was some kind of giant street fair and so it was closed, and the restaurant had abbreviated hours (I was still able to go). Send them an e-mail with the dates you'd like to be there to ensure no conflicts.

Also, this is something you should do with basically any place that you really want to go to. Belgians apparently love closing shop on random days with little or no notice. Despite living here I've had that happen more in Belgium than I have in the US.

 

[beerdweeb]

Yeah I emailed both Guido and Armand, we'll see.

 

[stupac2]

Yeah I emailed both Guido and Armand, we'll see.

DHVL is another one to be aware of. Though they just did a random closure so maybe you're safe.

 

[beerdweeb]

Don't know if we'll go there this trip, but maybe. Depends if we're in the mood to drop $1k on bottles, ha. My self control is limited when vintage lambic is available.

 

[DougOLis]

Do you have up-to-date info on the restaurant / retail shop hours? We are heading out there at the end of the month of Quintessance and CBC and would like to check out Drie as well.

So jealous. I went to Quintessence in 2012 and it was one of my favorite beer events I've ever been to. CBC was incredible last year too; you know a fest is special when you're getting sick of whales and big ass barrel aged beers by the end.

 

[Ataraxia1]

Anyone been to Cantillon lately? Family is going to Europe this weekend and will be in Brussels for a day or two. Couldn't find out what is available at the shop from their website

 

[stupac2]

Anyone been to Cantillon lately? Family is going to Europe this weekend and will be in Brussels for a day or two. Couldn't find out what is available at the shop from their website

It's worth going even if they don't have anything special.

 

[Ataraxia1]

It's worth going even if they don't have anything special.

Well I'm not going on the trip, just them. They don't really drink beer but had offered to bring some gifts back

 

[stupac2]

Well I'm not going on the trip, just them. They don't really drink beer but had offered to bring some gifts back

Ah, I see. I think it's difficult to know ahead of time what they'll have on sale, in that case.

 

[Bluecane]

I'm headed to Europe in July, and I'll probably be in Belgium ~July 7-10. Thanks for all the info in this thread; I'll definitely be putting it to good use.

Any advice on packing up and shipping a box back to the US? I'll probably only do it if I find several tougher bottles, i.e. not Cantillon/3F Gueze/Kriek. But if I can find St. Lam, Vig, LPs, or rare, I'm thinking it'd be worth to ship a box back. (I can't do a suitcase, as this trip has 3 post-Belgium weeks, and I really cannot afford to lug around extra heavy suitcase, especially when staying in hostels and such!)

 

[stupac2]

I'm headed to Europe in July, and I'll probably be in Belgium ~July 7-10. Thanks for all the info in this thread; I'll definitely be putting it to good use.

Any advice on packing up and shipping a box back to the US? I'll probably only do it if I find several tougher bottles, i.e. not Cantillon/3F Gueze/Kriek. But if I can find St. Lam, Vig, LPs, or rare, I'm thinking it'd be worth to ship a box back. (I can't do a suitcase, as this trip has 3 post-Belgium weeks, and I really cannot afford to lug around extra heavy suitcase, especially when staying in hostels and such!)

I believe from looking into it that it's just much cheaper to check an extra than to ship. If you have to ship then I actually can't help you, but I imagine it'll be as easy as finding a bpost location.

 

[gregkoko]

I believe from looking into it that it's just much cheaper to check an extra than to ship. If you have to ship then I actually can't help you, but I imagine it'll be as easy as finding a bpost location.

Yeah checking an extra bag is like $35-40. Shipping is...not that cheap

 

[stupac2]

Yeah checking an extra bag is like $35-40. Shipping is...not that cheap

Depends on your carrier, I've seen more like 50-70. Shipping will be significantly more, beer sites charge like 70 Euro, and presumably doing it on your dime is going to be even worse.

Plus shipping is going to be riskier.

 

[HenrikO]

Shipping is doable though keep in mind that styro shippers AFAIK are unavailable in Belgium, as in most European countries. A friend in Brussels who has shipped stuff to me also had a hard time even finding bubble wrap (he eventually found it in a moving supply store in an industrial estate, but he may just have been clueless). Shipping 12 bottles to the US will likely run you $75-100. Don't forget to tick "cadeau" on the customs form... ;-)

 

[stupac2]

Shipping is doable though keep in mind that styro shippers AFAIK are unavailable in Belgium, as in most European countries. A friend in Brussels who has shipped stuff to me also had a hard time even finding bubble wrap (he eventually found it in a moving supply store in an industrial estate, but he may just have been clueless). Shipping 12 bottles to the US will likely run you $75-100. Don't forget to tick "cadeau" on the customs form... ;-)

If OP goes to Grote Dorst he might be able to get one from Yves. If you're not shipping and just want to pick up something to carry the beer in those plastic 12-bottle crates are everywhere and someone will sell you one.

 

[Adam Jackson]

Bluecane, let me know if you want shipping advice. I ship 60-120 kilos twice a year via BPost. If your'e doing large volume, it's the only way to do it. There are some tricks as well.

Best advice is to befriend someone who is dialed into the beer scene in belgium early on and they can help you stock some shipping materials and such. Bring them american beers + cash as a thank you. drop me a PM if you want some help.

 

[Bluecane]

Yeah checking an extra bag is like $35-40. Shipping is...not that cheap

My first bag is free, but my second bag is $100 traveling internationally with United Airlines. So, that's a lotta $$. I'm leaning toward it being too stressful and just drinking all the lambic I can while in Belgium/Amsterdam, but I'll give it more thought.

 

[Bluecane]

Bluecane, let me know if you want shipping advice. I ship 60-120 kilos twice a year via BPost. If your'e doing large volume, it's the only way to do it. There are some tricks as well.

Best advice is to befriend someone who is dialed into the beer scene in belgium early on and they can help you stock some shipping materials and such. Bring them american beers + cash as a thank you. drop me a PM if you want some help.

This is great advice, although it might be a bit much for me. Quick math is that's 50-100 bottles, which is probably out of my budget? I certainly can't afford $1,000 on bottles right now.

 

[waltersrj]

My wife and I are traveling to Europe in the fall and I was checking into shipping options and most of them either A. scare me or B. cost a ton. USPS is over $100 for shipping but you never know what will happen through customs. UPS and FedEx are way worse at around $200-$300 to ship even a small box of 12 bottles. I plan to bring an extra bag and just load it with as much lambic as possible and pay the additional baggage fees. I think it is cheaper and less risky than shipping internationally. Looking forward to our trip in Dec./Jan.

 

[DougOLis]

I'm headed to Europe in July, and I'll probably be in Belgium ~July 7-10. Thanks for all the info in this thread; I'll definitely be putting it to good use.

Any advice on packing up and shipping a box back to the US? I'll probably only do it if I find several tougher bottles, i.e. not Cantillon/3F Gueze/Kriek. But if I can find St. Lam, Vig, LPs, or rare, I'm thinking it'd be worth to ship a box back. (I can't do a suitcase, as this trip has 3 post-Belgium weeks, and I really cannot afford to lug around extra heavy suitcase, especially when staying in hostels and such!)

I shipped like 4 boxes back via BPost when I went (was heading back to Saudi Arabia for work so couldn't bring alcohol with me) and it worked fine. It wasn't exactly cheap but I have no regrets. I picked up my packing materials from an AVA Papierwaren store (like a Belgian Staples); I think I had one bottle break (a Westy 12 if I recall correctly) but everything else made it.

 

[stupac2]

If there are any Belgians who live near Brussels (and will be in town during early August), I could use a favor. PM me for details. There can be beer, cash, ZJs, or other compensation in it for you.

 

[user 305778]

How very mysterious.

 

[stupac2]

How very mysterious.

Not really, I just have stuff I'd like someone to hold for me. The guy currently doing it will be out of the country before I get in. I was going to have it shipped to my friend in France but that's making me nervous.

 

[user 305778]

Yes that's less mysterious.

 

[Bluecane]

I'll be in Belgium ~July 7-12 or so. If anyone wants to grab a beer, let me know!

 

[flexabull]

Anyone have experience with kids in Belgium? Specifically in pubs/bars? I know in other European countries I've travelled it's not an issue, (Ireland comes to mind) but I don't want to take my kid into a place and get dirty looks/asked to leave. Of course, I'd only be taking my kid into places fairly early. (Dinner time at the latest)

Thanks!

 

[stupac2]

Anyone have experience with kids in Belgium? Specifically in pubs/bars? I know in other European countries I've travelled it's not an issue, (Ireland comes to mind) but I don't want to take my kid into a place and get dirty looks/asked to leave. Of course, I'd only be taking my kid into places fairly early. (Dinner time at the latest)

Thanks!

De Heeren has a bouncy house.

 

[flexabull]

De Heeren has a bouncy house.

My kid isn't walking yet, but can I jump around in it?

 

[stupac2]

My kid isn't walking yet, but can I jump around in it?

Dunno, I didn't try.

Anyway, I don't have kids so I never really paid attention, but my guess is that as long as they're well behaved you'd have a hard time finding a place that would turn you away for having them. Especially if you only have an infant.

 

[flexabull]

Dunno, I didn't try.

Anyway, I don't have kids so I never really paid attention, but my guess is that as long as they're well behaved you'd have a hard time finding a place that would turn you away for having them. Especially if you only have an infant.

Wasn't serious about the jump house.

Kind of assuming the kid shouldn't be a problem, just wondering if anyone has insight. She's very well behaved too.