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One Day in Belgium – A drive through Pajottenland and visits to Westvleteren and Struise

originally published on ratebeer.com Time: 8am Wake up in an uncomfortable hostel bed. Mix one part jeg-lagged lethargy, one part hangover and one part upset stomach caused by an excessive amount of lambic the night before, this is a hell of a way to start the morning. Stumbling around the … Continue Reading →

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Weekend of Spontaneous Fermentation 2006

30 km to the northwest of Brussels is the village of Opstal-Buggenhout, where the annual Weekend of Spontaneous Fermentation occurs in the spring.  A dozen draft oude and jonge lambik with a number of kirkenlambik and frambozenlambik as well; numerous bottles including rare vintages; jovial, fun atmosphere; affordable pours. No … Continue Reading →

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De Rare Vos, Schepdaal

  Girardin Rare Vos at De Rare Vos in Schepdaal, a 25 minute car ride west of town in Pyottenland.  We hitched a ride with two Danish ratebeer members we met at Cantillon who were headed there already.  We ate horse steak in mushroom gravy and drank glasses of this house … Continue Reading →

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Brussels

  A la Mort Subite is an old world Brussels establishment,  a short walk from the avenue de touristes where Delerium Cafe resides.  Mort Subite poured a wit/jonge lambik blend and a faro. Through the crowds in Brussels proper on the way to La Becasse and Delirium Café.  Do not eat … Continue Reading →

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Ghent, Belgium

Ghent, Belgium, Flanders.  50 km west of Brussels.  Water canals, tourists and church processions.  A few notable beer destinations, though not as many as in Brugge, and not as many canals (or tourists).        

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Antwerp 2006

Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium. Known for the world-renowned Kulminator bar run by Dirk Van Dyck and his wife Leen. Known for one of the deepest cellars in the world, almost all of it Belgian beer. The vintage list goes back 30 years.   By 2006, the RateBeer Best mania surrounding Abbaye de … Continue Reading →