Belgium Travel Thread

[Snarf1]

No, but visiting Daniel was awesome, especially if you can speak French to him or his daughter or his wife if they're around. Insanely generous.

Trying to learn a little Dutch, but my French is non-existent. I'll see if I can learn a few phrases at least by then. I figured I would need to get a few basics down.

 

[Saind]

Trying to learn a little Dutch, but my French is non-existent. I'll see if I can learn a few phrases at least by then. I figured I would need to get a few basics down.

Puik plan ouwe reus.

 

[Quatz]

Puik plan ouwe reus.

I'll translate this to Flemish for you: "Strak plan gast." Otherwise nobody in Flanders would understand you.

 

[Snarf1]

I'll translate this to Flemish for you: "Strak plan gast." Otherwise nobody in Flanders would understand you.

So as I'd suspected, my attempts to learn Dutch are mostly useless? I've noticed in Belgium that any time I manage to learn how to say a word, I travel 15km and they tell me I'm pronouncing it wrong.

 

[Quatz]

So as I'd suspected, my attempts to learn Dutch are mostly useless? I've noticed in Belgium that any time I manage to learn how to say a word, I travel 15km and they tell me I'm pronouncing it wrong.

Probably! But everyone will convert to the way we speak in Antwerp eventually.

 

[Saind]

I'll translate this to Flemish for you: "Strak plan gast." Otherwise nobody in Flanders would understand you.

Which was the joke. Speaking Dutch isn't a guarantee. I still can't understand half of what is said in de Westhoek or Antwerp.
Only those slow talking Limburgers are always clear

 

[The Red Viper]

I'm going to be in Brussels just for a couple days Feb. 24-26. Was wondering if someone else might be around (a local or another traveler either way) who'd want to meet at 3F or DHVL to share a couple bottles, probably that Thursday or maybe for lunch Wednesday? I might also be interested in an IP trade.

 

[BusinessSloth]

Plane departs tomorrow for Brussels. I'll see you other-side-of-the-pond TB'ers soon

 

[drummermattie021]

I don't think any updates have been posted online, but I'm wondering if anyone here has some insight as to where Nacht van de Grote Dorst may be held this year. We're flying in on the 21st, so I'm just trying to get lodging figured out at this point. Thanks, and maybe we'll see some of y'all there!

 

[Snarf1]

I don't think any updates have been posted online, but I'm wondering if anyone here has some insight as to where Nacht van de Grote Dorst may be held this year. We're flying in on the 21st, so I'm just trying to get lodging figured out at this point. Thanks, and maybe we'll see some of y'all there!

Random webpage I googled says Apr 22, 2016. Wish I could make it back. First one was a hoot.

 

[drummermattie021]

Random webpage I googled says Apr 22, 2016. Wish I could make it back. First one was a hoot.

Thanks, I knew the date (Zythos being that weekend as well), I was just wondering about venue. This seems to suggest the location is TBD, and maybe not where it has been in years past. Worst case I'll just book something in Brussels and figure it out, but it would nice to be nearby as well. Anyway, if info comes out from another source, feel free to post it up here.

 

[Snarf1]

Thanks, I knew the date (Zythos being that weekend as well), I was just wondering about venue. This seems to suggest the location is TBD, and maybe not where it has been in years past. Worst case I'll just book something in Brussels and figure it out, but it would nice to be nearby as well. Anyway, if info comes out from another source, feel free to post it up here.

I'd like to offer inebriation as an excuse for my defficient comprehension, but based on the when I posted that, I'm going to have to plead stupidity.

I remember the best being in either a small town square or the area on front of the bar and the church? Is that where it has been held since?

 

[drummermattie021]

I remember the best being in either a small town square or the area on front of the bar and the church? Is that where it has been held since?

For anyone else who's planning on attending NvdGD, I noticed this morning that the website had been updated, now specifying Itterbeek (Dilbeek) as the location, although without any further details. Although I've not been before, it seems like this is at least better than Eizeringen from a convenience-to-Brussels standpoint.

Anyway, hope to see some of y'all there!

 

[Wino1]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

 

[stupac2]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

It all depends on the state you fly into but CA being CA you can bring back a ton of beer/wine so it'll be fine.

 

[Compton25]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

BusinessSloth

 

[SeaWatchman]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

Be truthful, declare everything. 9 times out of ten no matter where you fly into they won't give a ****. If they do, duties are cheap.

 

[thrashD]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

I'd read up on the airlines checked bagged info regarding the ski bag. I've never personally had this happen to me, but apparently some airlines will charge you double for your ski bag if there is additional cargo besides ski/ski equipment. I know that sounds stupid, but a few people I know had that happen to them on UA and maybe also Delta.

I packed extra **** and booze into my snowboard bag coming to & from Canada two weeks ago and it was no biggie, just giving you a heads up in case you can avoid it.

 

[regularjohn]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

BusinessSloth

 

[BusinessSloth]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

1. Depending on your airline, you might get ****** like a pornstar on baggage fees. I had 3 checked bags (United Airlines). All overweight/excess (but under 32kg. Europe has some dumb rule about no bags being over 70.5 lbs).

2. Like Seawatchman said, declare everyyyything. I brought in 40+ bottles and they briefly judged whether to assess a $5-10 tax on my bottles...$5-10 TOTAL. They decided not to as it would have cost them more money.

 

[DougOLis]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

Does your ski bag count as one of your checked bags or is it a free checked item (as some/most airlines offer free checked sporting good equipment)?

 

[LuxWanderer]

Anyone have insight on bringing checked bags stuffed with lambic back to the U.S? I've bought a couple extra checked bags for the return flight to SF. Planning on putting ~5 bottles in my ski bag and ~15 in each additional checked bag. Thing is, the additional checked bags will only have bottles in them (and packaging material) - clothing will be in my carry-on. Wondering if this poses any risk when going thru customs stateside? Not concerned about paying a small duty tax but more so risk of having bottles detained.

Just declare it, you are well within your right flying with that much beer. Your only 'concern' may be the weight of your bags. 15 bottles will push the limits (50lbs) particularly if they are the heavier Cantillon bottles. Will have to find the right combo of 375 and 750s to stay under that limit. If you happen to have status and 70lbs limits then go crazy!!

 

[Wino1]

Yep, ski bag counts as my free checked bag but there isn't much room in there for bottles. Just going to get two cheap suitcases in Brussels and load em up.

 

[primebeer]

Yep, ski bag counts as my free checked bag but there isn't much room in there for bottles. Just going to get bullet proof suitcases in Brussels to protect my equity.

FTFY

 

[Wino1]

Was at Grote Dorst today. Amazing place. Tho prices were definitely great value IMO, it's more expensive than what has been posted on here.

Note that they were out of some of the rarer ones (Van T 'Kasteel, etc)

 

[primebeer]

There were LPG magnums in 2014

 

[Digita7693]

There were LPG magnums in 2014

That was my takeaway from reading that menu, that and 3F 2005 Scharbeekse Kriek may be the best deal!

 

[The Red Viper]

That was my takeaway from reading that menu, that and 3F 2005 Scharbeekse Kriek may be the best deal!

Yeah for real, that's about what Schaerbeekse cost on shelf in the US in 2005 lol.

 

[Wino1]

Yeah for real, that's about what Schaerbeekse cost on shelf in the US in 2005 lol.

Had the 2005 Schaerbeekse today. It did not suck.

 

[The Red Viper]

Had the 2005 Schaerbeekse today. It did not suck.

I have a 2006 in my cellar that I'm gonna drink for my birthday this summer. Looking forward to that.