Anyone ever been to...

[mccjeff]

Belgium?

[Deleted]

Jun 2, 2015 12:22:37 GMT -5 mccjeff said:

Belgium?

Yeah, a couple of days in Brussels, hitch hiking thru.

[Deleted]

No, but I enjoy their waffles.

[Sneake]

I enjoy their style of beer

[smosey wales]

No, but I've been to Oklahoma.

[Deleted]

Jun 3, 2015 10:29:45 GMT -5 smosey wales said:

No, but I've been to Oklahoma.

I love that tune. Had to hear it as soon as I saw your post.

[mccjeff]

Didn't ask about Spain.

[smosey wales]

Jun 3, 2015 11:48:32 GMT -5 mccjeff said:

Didn't ask about Spain.

Oh, wait. My bad.   I meant to say, I kinda like their music.

[cherryghost]

Yes been there a few times....lambic, mussels, frites

[mccjeff]

Jun 3, 2015 21:13:42 GMT -5 cherryghost said:

Yes been there a few times....lambic, mussels, frites

add Trappists to that list and you are 4 for 4. Going in early Oct. 4 of us are going. 2 are very well traveled but haven't been to Belgium. The other 2 of us not so much time on the continent. Obviously we PROBABLY can't hit ALL of them (but never say never) but this is our working list so far.



Going to hit A l'Ange Gardien at the Orval and In de vrede @ the Westvleteren. Maybe Rochefort or Chimay as well.



As far as the larger cities...



Cantillon & Moeder Lambic for certain in Brussels and Porte Noire, La Bécasse or Délices et Caprices also in play.



Kulminator in Antwerp is a must do and 't Antwaerps Bierhuiske, Gollem, Waagstuk and Paters Vaetje are all there too.



't Brugs Beertje in Bruges has been recommended as well as Comptoir Des Arts, De Garre, De Kelk, Cafe Red Rose, Le Trappiste and Cambrinus are strong candidates.



De Trollenkelder is topping the list so far for Ghent and Dulle Griet and Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant (along with Chez Leontine and ‘t Dreupelkot right next door) look like fun too.



Not just looking at bars and breweies (although that is the focus) it's just where I naturally started planning. Still trying to find a couple restaurants for consideration other than cafe food. Ferme Des Sanglochons is near Namur is a wild boar/ham museum/tavern. What is not to like about that?



Not sure which cathedral to scope out. Maybe St Bavo's in Ghent, Our Lady's in Antwerp or St. Michael and Gudula in Brussels.



Any recommendations, suggestions or tips would be welcome.

[Deleted]

Jun 4, 2015 11:04:05 GMT -5 mccjeff said:

Jun 3, 2015 21:13:42 GMT -5 cherryghost said:

Yes been there a few times....lambic, mussels, frites

add Trappists to that list and you are 4 for 4. Going in early Oct. 4 of us are going. 2 are very well traveled but haven't been to Belgium. The other 2 of us not so much time on the continent. Obviously we PROBABLY can't hit ALL of them (but never say never) but this is our working list so far.



Going to hit A l'Ange Gardien at the Orval and In de vrede @ the Westvleteren. Maybe Rochefort or Chimay as well.



As far as the larger cities...



Cantillon & Moeder Lambic for certain in Brussels and Porte Noire, La Bécasse or Délices et Caprices also in play.



Kulminator in Antwerp is a must do and 't Antwaerps Bierhuiske, Gollem, Waagstuk and Paters Vaetje are all there too.



't Brugs Beertje in Bruges has been recommended as well as Comptoir Des Arts, De Garre, De Kelk, Cafe Red Rose, Le Trappiste and Cambrinus are strong candidates.



De Trollenkelder is topping the list so far for Ghent and Dulle Griet and Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant (along with Chez Leontine and ‘t Dreupelkot right next door) look like fun too.



Not just looking at bars and breweies (although that is the focus) it's just where I naturally started planning. Still trying to find a couple restaurants for consideration other than cafe food. Ferme Des Sanglochons is near Namur is a wild boar/ham museum/tavern. What is not to like about that?



Not sure which cathedral to scope out. Maybe St Bavo's in Ghent, Our Lady's in Antwerp or St. Michael and Gudula in Brussels.



Any recommendations, suggestions or tips would be welcome.

Try drinking in a Flemish speaking blue collar beer hall.  It's a trip.  Also sit in an outdoor cafe in the Grand-Place in Brussels in th evening just before they turn the lights on.

[cherryghost]

Tour Orval in the late afternoon and marvel at the ruins of the old monestary as the sun casts long shadows. I will come up with some other suggestions when I am less tired.

[mccjeff]

Thanks endless and cherry. It's still months away but i am getting giddy about it.

[cherryghost]

Loved going to Beersel, land of the lambic. Toured a couple of places where they made lambic, saw open fermentation, Driefontein was my favorite. Ate in the courtyard...mussles, frites and lambic. I recognized the owner/brewer for a book "Beers of Belgium" by Michael Jackson (beer writer, not the pop star). Talked to him for a bit and he brought us on a tour of his cellar where he was aging and blending the lambic.

Brussels was really fun, small buzzing city. We enjoyed exploring, and tasting beer and food at a lot of places from the small cafes to some places in the main square.

[mccjeff]

Jun 5, 2015 9:23:43 GMT -5 cherryghost said:

Loved going to Beersel, land of the lambic. Toured a couple of places where they made lambic, saw open fermentation, Driefontein was my favorite. Ate in the courtyard...mussles, frites and lambic. I recognized the owner/brewer for a book "Beers of Belgium" by Michael Jackson (beer writer, not the pop star). Talked to him for a bit and he brought us on a tour of his cellar where he was aging and blending the lambic.

Brussels was really fun, small buzzing city. We enjoyed exploring, and tasting beer and food at a lot of places from the small cafes to some places in the main square.

I know the book and that is one of those things I don't even dare to dream about but which happen with some regularity to my buddy that I am going with.

[juice]

Yes - Brussels . Anything you need to know?

[mccjeff]

Aug 7, 2015 12:29:26 GMT -5 juice said:

Yes - Brussels . Anything you need to know?

Awesome! Thanks juice!

Looking at a couple of restaurants in Brussels. Any thoughts about Le Chou de Bruxelles, Restobieres, In't Spinnekopke, La Villette or Nuetnigenough? Only have time for 2 of them and I have heard nothing but great things about Nuetnigenough. Le Chou de Bruxelles is one of the top recommended non fine dining restos in the city especially for their 30 different varieties of mussels. And Restobieres has the reputation of being a world class beer oriented menu. In't Spinnekopke mainly because spiders freak my buddy Bob out so bad.

Any good cheese shops? I found De Sloovere Catherine on Zuidstraat; Le Petit Normand Fromagerie & Charcuterie both on Taborastraat; Langhendries on Rue de la Fourche and to some extent Délices et Caprices on Beenhouwersstraat. 

Any strong opinions on Musical Instruments Museum vs Magritte Museum vs Horta Museum vs Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History?


Is there anything in Brussels that I need to see/do/know that you wished you did when you first went?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

(I think the restaurants are going to be Nuetnigenough & Le Chou de Bruxelles)

[juice]

Wow - let's see... for Restaurants I went to the big town square called "The Grande Place" That is really not to be missed. From there I just wandered the alley ways and chose places that had street sitting and nearby outdoor music.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Place

Also, I would suggest checking out the statue of a kid peeing (no joke) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis It's near the Grand palace area.

I was not able to get to many/any musuems because I was there for work and time was limited. I walked everywhere though they do have a good biking system and you can get around easily.

The chocolate (obviously) is fantastic and so are the waffles. You will smell them - and they are so great.

There were many beer shops that had hundreds of different types - I would check out the beer orientated place you mention - sounds fun.

I stayed at the Thon Hotel - City Centre and it was just fine. It was also walking distance to this great park you can run in if that's your thing. Worth the visit either way: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinquantenaire

[mccjeff]

Cool! Thanks.

[mccjeff]

Flight leaves in a couple hours. I will be back inn communication around the 11th. If I survive. See you on the other side.

[tugboatcharlie]

Cantiilion is life

[kuriti]

Safe travels. I hear the plane ride can be so bumpy that you'll almost cry. Don't miss the Clergymen in uniform and young girls pullin’ muscles. They will probably all greet you when you step inside.

[worf rat]

Sept 30, 2015 15:46:42 GMT -5 kuriti said:

Safe travels. I hear the plane ride can be so bumpy that you'll almost cry. Don't miss the Clergymen in uniform and young girls pullin’ muscles. They will probably all greet you when you step inside.

Newspapermen eating candy?

[cherryghost]

Sept 30, 2015 7:59:04 GMT -5 mccjeff said:

Flight leaves in a couple hours. I will be back inn communication around the 11th. If I survive. See you on the other side.

enjoy, you are going to love it.

[Sneake]

Sept 30, 2015 7:59:04 GMT -5 mccjeff said:

Flight leaves in a couple hours. I will be back inn communication around the 11th. If I survive. See you on the other side.

fuck ya, brother. go have an adventure