Saturday, September 4, 2010

Opening Day of Brussels Beer Weekend

First thing this morning we ran into a lovely couple, Neil & Nicole from Toronto, who, fresh from their honeymoon in Paris, were now in Brussels to attend the Beer Festival. We decided to have lunch together, and after comparing notes we all hiked to the Upper Town in search of the Ultimate Hallucination - a wonderful Art Deco restaurant that specializes in Belgian beers. Alas, we found the address, but they were not open for lunch. Instead, we opted for another local spot called Le Bier Circus, not far away. Good choice! Neil had a beer he'd been waiting to try Mariage Parfait, a marvelous bottle conditioned Oud Gueuze from Boon, while Nicole went for the fruity Kriek. Paul and I went for the fresh draft. His a lovely hoppy glass of La Chouffe's Houblon Double IPA, me a rather still, but stunning Girardin Kriek Lambic direct from a cask. Hmmm, heavenly! Paul also tried the 10% La Rulles Grand Dix, as close to a Tripel as you can get, without calling it one. From here we wondered back into the winding streets of the city centre to prepare for the opening festivities of the first evening of the Beer Festival. And what an opening night it was, as patrons jostling elbow to elbow, in a very friendly way, like fish swimming upstream, trying for the beers they love most. After a while it did seem like no one was keeping a count of how many were in the crowd, and alas to anyone if they had to find the WC, as security was not letting anyone back in, realizing at last that there were perhaps too many people inside the gate. The Trappist booth seemed to be one of the most popular, but it was crowded whatever you went for, whether the Duchesse de Bourgogne fresh on tap, or the mysterious Black Hole lager from the Roman brewery. We met people from all over the world, who I'm sure, like us, will be back Saturday afternoon for more.

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the MASTER BEER LIST

  • 1605er Weisse (btl)
  • 3 Fonteinen Faro (tap)
  • 3 Fonteinen Lambiek (tap)
  • 3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Vintage (btl)
  • 3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek (tap)
  • 3 Fonteinen Straffe Winter (btl)
  • 7 Stern Bamberger Rauchbier (tap) 5.1%
  • 7 Stern Hanfbier (tap) 4.7%
  • 7 Stern Herbstbock (tap) 6.3%
  • 7 Stern Maerzen (tap) 5.1%
  • 7 Stern Prager Dunkles (tap) 4.5%
  • 7 Stern Wiener Helles (tap) 4.7%
  • Abbaye d'Aulnes Waterloo 8 (tap)
  • Abbaye des Rocs Bruin (btl) 9%
  • Abbey Ale Roar (cask) 4.3%
  • Abbey Bellringer Ale (cask) 4.2%
  • Adelardus Brune (tap)
  • Adler Hefe-Weizen (btl) 4.9%
  • Aecht Schenkerla Rauchbier Märzen (tap)
  • Aecht Schenkerla Rauchbier Weizen (btl) 5.2%
  • Ambräusianum Dunkel (tap)
  • Ambräusianum Hell (tap)
  • Ambräusianum Weizen (tap)
  • Apostelbräu Dinkel (naturtrüb) Bier (btl) 4.8%
  • Arbor Ales Motueka (cask) 4%
  • Atlas Nimbus Strong Dark Ale (cask) 5%
  • Augustinerbräu Munchen Dunkel (btl)
  • Ayingers Altbier Dunkel (tap)
  • Ayingers Kellerbier (tap)
  • Ayingers Pils (tap)
  • Bamberger Klosterbrau Pils (tap) 4.9%
  • Barbar Blonde Honey Ale (tap) 8%
  • Bath Ales Special Pale Ale (cask) 3.7%
  • Bath Gem Amber Ale (btl)
  • Bazens' Pacific Bitter (cask) 3.8%
  • Berliner Kindl Bock (tap)
  • Berliner Kindl Weiss (btl)
  • Bernard 12 Unfiltered Pale Lager (tap)
  • Biere Leon (tap)
  • Bink Bloesems (tap) 7%
  • Blackwater Brewery Boogie Woogie (cask) 4.2%
  • Blanche de Namur (tap)
  • Blanche de Neige (tap)
  • Bons Voeux Dupont (btl) 9.5%
  • Bottlebrook Smoked Porter (cask) 5.6%
  • Brand Imperator (tap)
  • Brand Oud Bruin (tap)
  • Brauerei Beck Trabelsdorf Affumicator (tap) 9.6%
  • Brew Dog Punk IPA (cask) 6%
  • Bristol Beer Factory Acer (btl) 3.8%
  • Bristol Beer Factory Exhibition (btl) 5.2%
  • Bristol Beer Factory Hefe (btl)
  • Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout (btl) 4.5%
  • Bristol Beer Factory No. 7 (cask) 4.2%
  • Bristol Beer Factory Southville Hop (btl) 6.5%
  • Broughton AlesTass 80/ (cask)
  • Broughton Autumn Ale (cask) 3.5%
  • Brouwerij 't IJ Bok (tap)
  • Brouwerij 't IJ Columbus (btl) 9%
  • Brouwerij 't IJ Natte (tap) 6.5%
  • Brouwerij 't IJ Plzen (btl) 5%
  • Brouwerij 't IJ Zatte (tap)
  • Brouwerij de Prael Nelis Pyp (tap) 7.7%
  • Brunswick Triple Hop (cask) 4%
  • Budelse Goudblond (tap)
  • Budweiser Budvar (tap)
  • Buffalo Stout (btl) 9%
  • Burton Bridge Stairway to Heaven (cask) 5%
  • Butcombe Bitter (cask) 4%
  • Butcombe Brunel IPA (cask) 5.7%)
  • Cairngorm Tradewinds (cask) 4.3%
  • Cantillon Faro (tap) 5%
  • Cantillon Gueuze (tap) 5%
  • Cantillon Mamouche (tap)
  • Cantillon Vigneronne (cask) grape
  • Cheddar Ales Goat's Leap IPA (btl cond) 5.7%
  • Cheddar Ales Totty Pot Dark Porter (btl cond) 4.7%
  • Cheddar Ales Totty Pot Dark Porter (btl cond) 4.7%
  • Chimay Blue (btl)
  • Chimay Tripel (tap)
  • Chotebor Premium Bohemian Pilsner (tap)
  • Cluss Keller Pils (tap)
  • Cnudde Brown (btl)
  • Copper Dragon Golden Pippin (cask) 3.9%
  • Corsendonk Angus (tap)
  • Cotleigh Brewing Peregrine Porter (btl cond) 5%
  • Cotleigh New Harvest Golden Bitter (cask) 4%
  • Cuvée de Moeder Lambic (tap) 5%
  • Dalesice Pale Lager (tap)
  • Dalesice Tmare Lezak (tap)
  • Dawkins Bob Wall Best Bitter (cask) 4.2%
  • Dawkins TTT Best Bitter (cask) 4.2%
  • De Bekeerde Suster Bock Ros (tap) 6.5%
  • De Bekeerde Suster Tripel (tap) 7.2%
  • De Cam Oude Gueze
  • De Halve Maan Brugse Zot Bok (btl)
  • De Halve Maan Brugse Zot Dubbel Bruin (tap)
  • De Molen Melk en Mild (tap)
  • De Molen Vuur & Vlam (btl)
  • De Ryck (btl)
  • De Silly Pink Killer (tap) grapefriut
  • De Silly Saison (tap)
  • Delerium Tremens (tap)
  • Deuchar's IPA (cask) 3.8%
  • Dinkelacker CD-Pils (tap)
  • Dorset Yachtsman (cask) 4.7%
  • Duvel Verte (btl)
  • Edelweiss Dunkel (btl) 5.5%
  • EKU 28 (btl) 11%
  • Felen Zeebonck (tap)
  • Flekovsky Lezak (tap)
  • Franziskaner Weissbier (tap)
  • Full Mash Steve Ashby's Locoil (cask) 4.6%
  • Fuller's London Pride (cask)
  • Funfair Divebomber (cask) 3.8%
  • Fässla Gold-Pils (tap)
  • Fässla Zwergla (btl) 6%
  • Gaffel Kolsch (tap)
  • Glastonbury Dream Catcher Cider (cask) 6%
  • Greene King Ghastly Ghoul (cask)
  • Greifenkläu Pils (tap)
  • Grieskirchner Pils (tap)
  • Grimbergen Dubbel (btl)
  • Grisette Fruit de Bois (tap)
  • Grottenbier (btl)
  • Guldenberg (btl)
  • Gulpener Jaarling Bokbier (btl) 6.5%
  • Gösser Dunkel (tap)
  • Haacht Charles Quint Golden Blonde (tap)
  • Haacht Kaiser Karel Ruby Red (tap)
  • Hacker-Pschorr Edelhell (cask)
  • Hacker-Pschorr Export Dunkel (tap)
  • Hammerpot Bottle Wreck Porter (cask) 4.7%
  • Hertog Jan Grand Prestige (btl) 10%
  • Hertog Jan Weizener (tap)
  • Highland Brewing Scapa Special Pale Ale (btl) 4.4%
  • Hirter Morchl Dunkel (btl)
  • Hirter Pils (btl)
  • Hoegaarden Rose (tap)
  • Holzkirchner Oberbräu Weisse Dunkel (tap)
  • Honey's Midford Cider (cask)
  • Hopback Brewery Entire Stout (cask) 4.5%
  • Hopback Brewery Hopfest (cask) 4.6%
  • Hopdaemon Brewing Kentish IPA (btl) 4.5%
  • Horal's Oude Geuze Mega Blend 2009 (btl)
  • Houblon Chouffe Double IPA (tap)
  • Huffendorfer Bier (tap)
  • Hurricane Jack (cask) 4.4%
  • Hydes' Hubble Bubble (cask) 4.4%
  • Innis & Gunn Triple Matured (btl) 7.2%
  • J.W. Lees Dark Mild Ale (cask) 3.5%
  • Jacobin Gueuze (btl)
  • Jacobin Kriek (btl)
  • Jandrain IV Saison (btl)
  • Jandrain VI (tap)
  • Jenning's Cumberland (cask) 4%
  • Jopen Bokbier (btl) 6.5%
  • Joseph Holt Bitter (cask) 4%
  • Joseph Holt Touchwood (cask) 4.3%
  • Kaiser Doppel Malz (btl) 4.7%
  • Kasteel Bruin (tap) 11%
  • Kelburn Red Smiddy (cask) 4.1%
  • Kerkomse Tripel (tap)
  • Kloster Andechs Hefe-Weizen (btl) 5.5%
  • Klosterbrau Braunbier (tap) 5,7&
  • Konig Ludwig Dunkel (btl) 5.1%
  • Kostritzer Schwarzbier (btl) 4.8%
  • Kriek Lambic Girardin (cask)
  • La Chouffe (btl)
  • La Rulles Grand Dix Tripel (tap)
  • La Trappe White (tap)
  • Leather Britches Doctor Johnson (cask) 4%
  • LeFebvre Hopus (btl)
  • Leffe Bruin (tap)
  • Leffe Tripel (tap)
  • Lemke Brauhaus Festbier (tap)
  • Lemke Brauhaus Original Dunkel (tap)
  • Lemke Brauhaus Pils (tap)
  • Lemke Brauhaus Weizen (tap)
  • Les Brasseurs de la Grand Place Amber (tap)
  • Les Brasseurs de la Grand Place Blond (tap)
  • Les Brasseurs de la Grand Place Dark (tap)
  • Les Brasseurs de la Grand Place Tripel (tap)
  • Lindemans Frambroise (tap)
  • Lindemans Kriek (btl)
  • Lupus (btl)
  • Mahr's Bräu Kellerbier (tap)
  • Mahr's Pilsner (btl)
  • Mahr's Ungespundet (tap)
  • Mahr's Weizen (tap)
  • Maredsous 6 (tap)
  • Maredsous 6 (tap)
  • Maredsous Bruin (btl)
  • Markischer Landmann Schwarzbier (tap)
  • Marrach Vidensky Lezak (tap)
  • Marston's Wicked Witch (cask) 4.2%
  • Metisse du Lion a Plume (tap)
  • Moenchshof Kellerbier Dunkel (btl)
  • Mohren Bräu (tap)
  • Moinette Blond (btl)
  • Mongozo Coconut (tap)
  • Montegioco La Mummia (cask)
  • Moor Beer Co. JJJ IPA (btl cond) 9.5%
  • Moor Beer Co. JJJ IPA (btl cond) 9.5%
  • Moor Beer Co. Revival Pale Ale (btl cond) 4%
  • Mort Subite Gueuze (btl)
  • Mort Subite Kriek (tap)
  • Northumberland Hoof Harted (cask) 3.8%
  • Novometsky Lezak (tap)
  • Old Green Tree Ale (cask)
  • Old Mortality 80/ (cask) 4.2%
  • Oldgott Lezak Barique (tap)
  • Orval (btl)
  • Ottakringer Innstadt Weizen (tap)
  • Ottakringer Pur (tap)
  • Ottakringer Weizen Dunkle (btl)
  • Ottakringer Zwickl Dunkel (tap)
  • Otter Bright Ale (cask) 4.3%
  • Oud Gueuze Beersel (btl)
  • Palmers Tally Ho Strong Dark Ale (cask) 5.5%
  • Pattoloereke (btl)
  • Paulaner Salvator (btl) 7.9%
  • Pegas Gold (tap)
  • Pegas Tmavy Lezak (tap)
  • Pentland IPA (cask) 3.9%
  • Pernstejn Porter (tap)
  • Petrus Oud Bruin (btl)
  • Pilsner Urquel Nefiltrovany Lezak (tap)
  • Polder Bock (tap)
  • Poutnik Pelhrina (tap)
  • Prael Andre Lentebok (tap)
  • Prael Johnny Kolsch (tap)
  • Prael Willeke Tripel Blonde (tap)
  • Psenicne Pivo (tap)
  • Quontock Brewery Sunracker (cask) 4.2%
  • Rambouek Kastanomendovy (tap)
  • Ravens Dark Ale (cask)
  • RCH Brewery Old Slug Porter (cask) 4.5%
  • RCH Pitchfork (cask) 4.3%
  • Rochfort 6 (btl)
  • Rodenbach (btl)
  • Rodenbach Grand Cru (btl) 6%
  • Rodenbach Vintage (btl)
  • Roman Black Hole Lager (btl)
  • Roman Mater Wit (tap)
  • Rosemary Hefe-Weizen (tap)
  • Rulles Estivale (tap) 5.2%
  • Rulles Tripel (tap) 8.4%
  • Rychtar Natur (tap)
  • Saison 1900 (tap)
  • Saison de Dottiginies (tap)
  • Salm-Brau Bohemian Mix (tap)
  • Salm-Brau Helles (tap)
  • Salm-Brau Pils (tap)
  • Salm-Brau Weizen (tap)
  • Schelde Golden Raand (tap)
  • Schelde Oester Stoute (tap)
  • Scheldebrouweri Wildebok (tap)
  • Schlossbrauerei MacQueen´s Nessie Whisky Malt Red Beer (btl)
  • Schlosser Altbier (tap)
  • Schofferhofer Weizen (tap)
  • Schremser Roggen Bio Bier (btl) 5.2%
  • Schultheiss Berliner Weiss (tap)
  • Schwaben Bräu das Schwarze (tap)
  • Sezoens Quatro (btl)
  • Sharp's Cornish Coaster (cask) 3.6%
  • Sharp's Doom Bar Bitter (cask) 4%
  • Sion Kolsch (tap)
  • Smisje Dubbel (btl)
  • Sommerset Ale (cask) 4.1%
  • Sophie's Bräuhaus Schwarzbier (tap)
  • Spaten Oktoberfest (tap)
  • Spezial Rauchbier (tap)
  • Spezial Ungespundetes (cask)
  • Spire 80/ (cask) 4.3%
  • St, Georgen Gold Maerzen (btl)
  • St. Austell Admiral's Ale (btl cond) 5%
  • St. Austell Tribute Ale (cask)
  • St. Bernardus 12 (tap)
  • St. Bernardus Tripel (btl) 7.5%
  • St. Feuillieu Tripel (tap)
  • St. Feullien Triple (btl)
  • St. Georgen Kellerbier (tap)
  • St. Georgen Pilsner (btl)
  • Stonehenge Danish Dynamite (cask) 5%
  • Stouterik (btl)
  • Straffe Hendrik Tripel (btl)
  • Stroud Brewing Budding Pale Ale (cask) 4.5%
  • Stuttgart Hofbrau Keller Pils (tap)
  • Super des Fagnes Griotte (tap) raspberry
  • Tambor 10° Pilsner (tap)
  • Tambor 11° Pilsner (tap)
  • Tambor 11° Unfiltered Pilsner (tap)
  • Tambor 12° Pilsner (tap)
  • Tambor 13° Dark Lager (tap)
  • Taras Boulba Extra Hoppy Ale (tap)
  • Tauton Dry Cider (cask)
  • Thatcher's Dry Cider (cask)
  • Thomas Guest Puddlers (cask) 4.1%
  • Timmermans Bourgogne des Flanders (tap)
  • Timmermans Gueuze (tap)
  • Timmermans Lambic Doux (tap)
  • Tirolier Bier Maerzen (btl)
  • Toccalmatto Skizoid (tap) 6.2%
  • Toccalmatto Stary Dog Bitter (tap) 4.2%
  • Trappist Westvleteren 12 (btl) 10%
  • Trappledouser (cask) 4.7%
  • Triple FFF Brewery Moondance (cask) 4.2%
  • Trummer Pils (btl)
  • Tucher Frankisch Dunkel (tap)
  • U Medvidku Rouge Lager (tap)
  • U Medvidku X33 (tap)
  • U Richarda Pale Lager (tap)
  • U Richarda Weizen Lager (tap)
  • U Sladka Pasak Special (tap)
  • U Sladka Pasak Svetly (tap)
  • U Valsu Pale Lager (tap)
  • Urthel (btl)
  • Vedett Extra White (tap)
  • Velkopopovicky Kozel Dark (btl) 3.9%
  • Velkopopovicky Kozel Dark (tap)
  • Verhaeghe Duchesse de Bourgogne (tap)
  • Verhaeghe Echt Kriekenbier (tap)
  • Vestingguilde Blonde (tap)
  • Vicaris Generale (btl)
  • Vichtenaar Oud Bruin (btl) 5.15
  • Vieil Orval (btl)
  • Weihenstephan Weizen (tap)
  • Weihenstephan Weizen Dunkel (btl)
  • Weihenstephaner Korbinian Bock (tap) 7.4%
  • Westmalle Dubbel (tap)
  • Wickwar Autumnal (cask) 4%
  • Wieckse Witte (tap/btl)
  • Wieden Brau Dunkles (tap)
  • Wieden Brau Maerzen (tap)
  • Wieden Brau Pils (tap)
  • Witcap Stimulo (btl) 6%
  • Wittinger Pils (tap)
  • Wolf Howler (cask) 4.2%
  • Young's Bitter (cask)
  • Zillertal Gouder Bock 2010 (btl)
  • Zillertal Märzen (btl)
  • Zillertal Pils (btl)
  • Zillertal Schwarzes (btl)
  • Zillertal Weissebier Dunkel (btl)
  • Zinnebir (tap) 6%
  • Zipfer Märzen (btl)
  • Zipfer Pils (btl)
  • Zwickl Spezial (tap)

BEST BEER BARS

  • Amsterdam: Brouwerij 't IJ, Funenkade 7, www.brouwerijhetij.nl
  • Amsterdam: Brouwerij Prael & Taproom, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 15, www.deprael.nl
  • Amsterdam: Cafe Brecht, Weteringschans 157
  • Amsterdam: Het Elfde Gebod, Zeedig
  • Amsterdam: In de Wildeman, Kolksteeg 3
  • Amsterdam: The Old Nickel, Nieuwe Brugsteeg 11, www.oldnickel.com
  • Bamberg: Brauerei Greifenkläu, Laurenzistrasse 36, www.greifenklau.de
  • Bamberg: Brauerei Spezial, Konigstrasse 22
  • Bamberg: Fässla Brauerei, Obere Konigstrasse 19, www.faessla.de
  • Bamberg: Klosterbräu Brauerei, Obere Muhlbrucke 1-3 www.klosterbraeu.de
  • Bamberg: Restaurant Alt-Ringlein, Dominikanestrasse 9
  • Bamberg: Zum Kachelofen, Obere Sandstrasse
  • Bamberg: Zum Sternla, Lange Strasse 46
  • Bath: The Bell, 103 Wolcott Street
  • Bath: The Old Green Tree, 12 Green Street
  • Bath: The Raven, 6 Queen Street
  • Berlin: Alt Berliner Weissbier Struben, Rathaus Strasse, 21
  • Berlin: Lemke's Brauhaus, Dircksenstrasse, 143
  • Berlin: Sophien Eck, Eck Grosse Hamburger Strasse, 37
  • Berlin: Stangdige Vertretung, Schiffbauerdamm 8
  • Bristol: Bridge Inn, 16 Passage Street
  • Bristol: Cornubia, 142, Temple Street
  • Bristol: Hope and Anchor, 38 Jacobs Wells Road
  • Bristol: King's Head, 60 Victoria Street
  • Bristol: Port of Call, York Street, Clifton
  • Bristol: Portcullis, 3 Wellington Terrace, Sion Hill, Clifton
  • Bristol: Seven Stars, 1 Thomas Lane, Redcliffe
  • Bristol: Vittoria, 57 Whiteladies Rd., Clifton
  • Brno: Na Bozence, Bozeny Nemcove 18
  • Brno: Pivinice Pegas, Jakubska 4
  • Brussels: A La Becasse, alley off rue Tabora
  • Brussels: Au Bon Vieux Temps, Impasse St. Nicolas, off of Rue Marché Aux Herbes
  • Brussels: Blanche ou Tonneau au Brasseur, rue de Brasseurs et rue des Chapeliers
  • Brussels: Delirium Cafe, Impasse de la Fidelite, 4A
  • Brussels: La Bier Circus, rue l'Enseignement 57
  • Brussels: La Mort Subite, rue Montagne aux Herbes Potageres 7
  • Brussels: La Porte Noire, rue des Alexiens 67
  • Brussels: Moeder Lambic Fontainas, 8 - 10 Place Fontainas, www.moederlambic.eu
  • Brussels: Poechenellekelder, rue du Chene 5
  • Edinburgh: Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant, 3 Rose Street
  • Edinburgh: Blue Blazer, 2 Spittal Street
  • Edinburgh: Bow Bar, 80 West Bow
  • Edinburgh: Conan Doyle, Queen Street
  • Edinburgh: Guilford Arms, West Registar Street
  • Edinburgh: Halfway House, 24 Fleshmarket Close
  • Edinburgh: Oxford Bar, 8 Young Street
  • Edinburgh: The Tass, 1 Jefferey
  • Innsbruck: Elferhaus, Herzog-Friedrich Str. 11
  • Innsbruck: Restaurant Krahvogel, Anichstrasse 12 www.krahvogel.at
  • Maastricht: Cafe 't Pothuisker, Het Bat 1, www.pothuiske.nl
  • Maastricht: Cafe de la Bourse, Markt 37
  • Maastricht: Falstaff, Sint Maartenspoort 13
  • Manchester: Corbiere's, Half Moon Alley
  • Manchester: Old Wellington Inn, 4 Cathedral Gates
  • Manchester: The Circus Tavern, 86 Portland Str.
  • Manchester: The Grey Horse, 80 Portland Str.
  • Manchester: The Old Monkey, 90 Porland Str.
  • Munich: Ayingers Speis und Trank, Am Platz 1A
  • Munich: Der Pschorr, Viktualienmarkt 15
  • Naarden-Bussum: Cafe Demmers, Martkstraat 52 www.vestinggilde.nl
  • Plzen: U Sladka, Poděbradova 12
  • Plzen: Zach's Pub, Palackeho nam. 2
  • Prague: Minipivovar U Medvídků, Na Perštýně 7
  • Prague: U Fleků, Kremencova 11
  • Prague: Zlý Časy, Čestmírova 5
  • Stuttgart: Sophie's Bräuhaus, Marienstrasse 28
  • Stuutgart: Brauerei Gaststätte Dinkelacker, Tubingerstrasse 48
  • Vienna: Bieramt, Am Heumarkt, 3
  • Vienna: Cafe Drechsler, Linke Wienzeile 22, Girardigasse 1 www.cafedrechsler.at
  • Vienna: Salm-Brau Kloster Brauerei, Rennweg, 8
  • Vienna: Siebenstern Brau, Siebensterngasse, 19
  • Vienna: Stehbeisl, Windmuhlgasse, 6
  • Vienna: Wieden Brau, Waaggasse, 5

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