Belgium Travel Thread

[Saind]

Easter monday is definitely a big deal here in Europe and especially in Belgium as they are probably more catholic than the pope

 

[Digita7693]

Easter monday is definitely a big deal here in Europe and especially in Belgium as they are probably more catholic than the pope

In Germany, especially in NRW (Cologne, Düsseldorf state), the religious holidays are definitely observed. I love the extra long weekend around Easter. However, I find people significantly less religious than in the US, just here we take all the paid holidays, which is just fine by me

 

[Saind]

In Germany, especially in NRW (Cologne, Düsseldorf state), the religious holidays are definitely observed. I love the extra long weekend around Easter. However, I find people significantly less religious than in the US, just here we take all the paid holidays, which is just fine by me

Well yes but comparing to the US is just not realistic I guess

 

[dye89]

So I'm going to be in Antwerp on Easter Monday, anyone have any suggestions as to what might be worth doing that day. Kulminator will be closed and I emailed t’ Antwaerps Bierhuiske and they said they'd be open. Other than that I think I just saw someone mention Gollem?

 

[stupac2]

So I'm going to be in Antwerp on Easter Monday, anyone have any suggestions as to what might be worth doing that day. Kulminator will be closed and I emailed t’ Antwaerps Bierhuiske and they said they'd be open. Other than that I think I just saw someone mention Gollem?

Gollem was fine. I didn't think it was anything special.

Kulminator is my favorite part of Antwerp, though, big bummer it's closed while you're there.

 

[dye89]

Gollem was fine. I didn't think it was anything special.

Kulminator is my favorite part of Antwerp, though, big bummer it's closed while you're there.

I'm gonna be in Brussels for the 3 days before. I'm going to try to go to Kulminator on Friday or Saturday from Brussels. Also, what transportation (besides driving) would you recommend to get to DHVL from Brussels (around city center)?

 

[dye89]

Also, is there any spots besides Kulminator that I should note is CASH ONLY?

 

[stupac2]

I'm gonna be in Brussels for the 3 days before. I'm going to try to go to Kulminator on Friday or Saturday from Brussels. Also, what transportation (besides driving) would you recommend to get to DHVL from Brussels (around city center)?

I always drove. I've heard the train is a pain in the ass. I also know some people that have cabbed it, but it's probably expensive.

Also, is there any spots besides Kulminator that I should note is CASH ONLY?

Grote Dorst is mostly cash-only. I think they have card readers in theory but they break a lot.

 

[bauermj]

I'm gonna be in Brussels for the 3 days before. I'm going to try to go to Kulminator on Friday or Saturday from Brussels. Also, what transportation (besides driving) would you recommend to get to DHVL from Brussels (around city center)?

I took the train to DHVL. Requires some planning ahead & timing coordination, and it is a healthy walk from Train to DHVL & back. But it is very doable

edit: 1.25 mile walk from train stop at Liedekerke to DHVL

 

[SeaWatchman]

I took the train to DHVL. Requires some planning ahead & timing coordination, and it is a healthy walk from Train to DHVL & back. But it is very doable

edit: 1.25 mile walk from train stop at Liedekerke to DHVL

That might as well be a walk through the desert for 40 years for most Americans.

 

[BeerWorld]

I took the train to DHVL. Requires some planning ahead & timing coordination, and it is a healthy walk from Train to DHVL & back. But it is very doable

edit: 1.25 mile walk from train stop at Liedekerke to DHVL

About to embark on this walk in 3 weeks or so

Do Cantillon, Moeder Lambic, and DHVL accept credit cards?

 

[Digita7693]

About to embark on this walk in 3 weeks or so

Do Cantillon, Moeder Lambic, and DHVL accept credit cards?

Cantillon yes
Moder bank cards, not sure on CC
DHVL not really

 

[SeaWatchman]

Moder bank cards, not sure on CC

Pretty sure I used my Amex at Moeder, but I also might have been drunk.

 

[LuxWanderer]

That might as well be a walk through the desert for 40 years for most Americans.

Ha. So true.

My buddy and I walked 5km from the train station to Tilquin last year for their English Beer Festival. Worth every step. A brisk walk is a nice way to burn off some beers before you drink them though

 

[dye89]

I always drove. I've heard the train is a pain in the ass. I also know some people that have cabbed it, but it's probably expensive.

Grote Dorst is mostly cash-only. I think they have card readers in theory but they break a lot.

Ok, so I think we might train there and maybe cab back. Since it's gonna be me and 3 buddies the cab shouldn't be too bad I suppose.

 

[dye89]

I took the train to DHVL. Requires some planning ahead & timing coordination, and it is a healthy walk from Train to DHVL & back. But it is very doable

edit: 1.25 mile walk from train stop at Liedekerke to DHVL

Thanks for the info, I think we'll manage the walk for some "whalezbro." I'm really excited, first time in Belgium!

 

[dye89]

About to embark on this walk in 3 weeks or so

Do Cantillon, Moeder Lambic, and DHVL accept credit cards?

What dates you gonna be there bud?

 

[Digita7693]

Ok, so I think we might train there and maybe cab back. Since it's gonna be me and 3 buddies the cab shouldn't be too bad I suppose.

I think its maybe 60€ or so, BusinessSloth or Compton25 might be able to tell you.

 

[SeaWatchman]

I think we'll manage the walk for some "whalezbro."

Please don't be that lambic neckbeard

Go to enjoy the culture and the tradition, make some new friends, be inquisitive. Don't pillage.

 

[dye89]

Please don't be that lambic neckbeard

Go to enjoy the culture and the tradition, make some new friends, be inquisitive. Don't pillage.

It was a joke. I've been to Europe before, so I know what the general culture is about. Missed out on Belgium last time, so excited to be going now.

 

[BeerWorld]

What dates you gonna be there bud?

I was going to do March 24th there but I can do 25th too if necessary.

 

[BusinessSloth]

I think its maybe 60€ or so, BusinessSloth or Compton25 might be able to tell you.

50€, but you better plan ahead for a cab and have it waiting. We missed the last train and got lucky the waitress knew someone nearby. She called them for us and set it up.

Sorry guys I'll try to write up my trip tomorrow night or tonight. This will answer 90% of the common questions I think.

 

[dye89]

I was going to do March 24th there but I can do 25th too if necessary.

I'm arriving in Brussels the 25th, so let me know if you're still there and we can pop some bottles.

 

[apatrick17]

What's up fellas, so me and my buddies are finally headed to Belgium in March.

Itinerary:

• March 25-28: Brussels
• March 28-29: Antwerp
• March 29-30: Open to anywhere, but we have to spend the night in Brussels to catch a flight the next morning

If anyone wants to meet up to share some bottles, trade, or just drink a bunch of lambic in general send me a pm. Me and my buddies have a lot of different bottles (mostly California sours/saisons/farmhouse, BA stouts). Been lurking on this thread for a while and pretty much have planned everywhere we want to go, but I'm always open to suggestions! Maybe a fellow TB'er will also be in Belgium during this time, as it is a week that a lot of people are on holiday.

koplamp

 

[koplamp]

koplamp

I could stop by Cantillon on saturday March 26th!

 

[Saind]

Anyone going to de Nacht van de grote dorst this year? Will be my first time, anyone know how it differs from normal beer festivals? I heard it's all 75cl bottles which sounds great but I'm not sure what to expect apart from lots of lambic

 

[Snarf1]

Anyone going to de Nacht van de grote dorst this year? Will be my first time, anyone know how it differs from normal beer festivals? I heard it's all 75cl bottles which sounds great but I'm not sure what to expect apart from lots of lambic

I hve only been once and that was the first event. It was maybe half beer nerds and half local folks. I think it has changed since then.

 

[BeerWorld]

Are you allowed to open/drink your own beer bottles on Belgian rail/Thalys trains? Also, does anyone know the difference between class 1 and class 2 seats on these (other than the price)? Thx for the input.

 

[Quatz]

Are you allowed to open/drink your own beer bottles on Belgian rail/Thalys trains? Also, does anyone know the difference between class 1 and class 2 seats on these (other than the price)? Thx for the input.

Yes you can drink on the train. Unless you are being very obnoxious, nobody will care. You can even order beer on the Thalys. Class 1 seats on the Thalys are a little more spacious and there are also single seats available. Depending on the time of day you travel and how long you are on the train you also get something to eat and drink in class 1. Also, cancellation for class 1 seats is more flexible. Overall I don't think it is worth the price unless maybe you have a long trip. On Belgian rail, the only difference between class 1 and 2 are the seats are sometimes a little different and class 2 is often full, so especially during rush hour you will have to stand. There are always empty seats in class 1.

 

[koplamp]

Are you allowed to open/drink your own beer bottles on Belgian rail/Thalys trains? Also, does anyone know the difference between class 1 and class 2 seats on these (other than the price)? Thx for the input.

Not 100% sure but the last few times we went to Moeder, we asked for to go bottles and drank them on the train. Nobody complained. There's not a lot of difference between 1st and second class. There can be more seats available in 1st class during peak hours on weekdays though, depending on the traject. I've never travelled 1st class myself