polkacat

The more, the merrier!

ETA: Happy Friday, folks - the full brewery list is now available on Facebook. You have 7 weeks to dream of Belgian beers and plot your strategy. Note that new this year, some beers will be two, rather than one, tokens.

toomanybooks

I am finding some incredible hotel deals for BRU on Hotwire. 4-star under $50.

For this month, so presumably higher in April, but might be worth a look if you have reserved for more.

ANC RED-EYE

I'm trying to figure out my itinerary to visit several of the area trappist breweries around this time. Does anyone have advice? I'm finding that some are set up for visitors with tasting rooms and/or restaurants, and others seem to not be so open to visitors. Specifically Brouwerij Abdij Maria Toevlucht:

So, it seems a visit to the Abbey shop may be as good as it gets there. Let me know if anyone has advice specifically about visiting trappist breweries - which to focus on, etc. Eventually, I'd like to visit them all to whatever degree possible - one down, ten to go!

polkacat

The Trappist breweries - and in fact, many Belgian breweries - can be tough to visit due to very restrictive open days/hours, tours only for large groups, no tasting room, etc.

Westvleteren may be the easiest to get to, with great rain service to nearby Poperinge. There's no official tasting room but the cafe In de Vrede serves all the beers on tap. Check days and hours before going. Hit nearby St. Bernardus while you're there.

Rochefort, Orval and Chimay are tough to get to without a car. Chimay has a big restaurant/tasting room, Rochefort has no tasting room but you can get the beer in town, Orval has a gift shop with a visitor and tasting center down the road.

I haven't been to Westmalle or Achel, so can't advise.

PM me if you have more questions, happy to answer!!!

toomanybooks

polkacat mentioned St. Bernardus. Not a monastery, but great beer, nice tour. If you can plan it, there is an excellent B&B immediately next door. Terrific, and part of the deal there is unlimited St. Bernardus beer from the fridge. Some good restaurants not terribly far. They have bikes you can borrow. KMA26 and I stayed there a few years ago.

polkacat

Hello all, I'm trying to get a sense of interest in meeting up for pre-dinner drinks and/or a group dinner on Friday, April 21st. My thinking at this point would be to meet for a beer around 6:30 pm and then have dinner around 7:30 pm.

If you are planning to be in Brussels on that Friday, please take this super-quick survey by March 29th to give me an idea of how many are interested. And feel free to leave comments in the survey if you have other thoughts on the times.

Thanks!

ANC RED-EYE

Thanks for these answers and recommendations. We are most likely renting a car, which from the sounds of things is the recommendation. I am hoping we can visit each of the trappist breweries to whatever degree possible. Thanks again!

island82

Anyone taking trains from AMS or AMS Centraal?

polkacat

See all the beers at http://www.zbf.be/bieren/bierlijst/.

CDKing

Im still in shock on how many WOW!!!!

ANC RED-EYE

Can anyone recommend which area in Brussels would be best to look for a hotel for a first time visitor? Thanks!

arollins

Any place close to Grand Place (city center) is good, which is also close to the central train station. Numerous metro stops, lots of restaurants, bars, all within walking distance along with several sightseeing areas. Hotels could be pricey, but there are deals, Accor hotels had a 4th night free. Another option is by midi south station, but the area does not have much sightseeing, and is a bit industrial, however, it's close to Cantillon and Moede Lambic (spelling), where some of us will be at. This area tends to be the cheapest one. Another good area is by the EU parliaments, hotels are cheap on weekends, several bars and restaurants in the area as well. We are staying here, the Radisson Red.

Both midi south/zud and EU parliament area are within 20-30 minute walking to city center, or just 1-2 metro stops. Metros are very efficient and punctual, they run every 3-5 minutes, much sporadic at nightime. I think cost was 1.60 EUR one way. Normally I stay at the Radisson Blue by the Grand Place, and it's very convenient. I've also stayed at the Sheraton Aloft by Schuman station, used to get deals at 49EUR, that was a good one as well. This time we are trying the Radisson Red, I'm hearding a group of 3 couples, myself/spouse included, we opted to use metro.

iris30

I'm booked at the Marriott Renaissance Brussels Friday through Monday. KMA26 is booked there also. They still have 69EUR rates for Friday and Saturday. Sunday is a bit higher. Seems it's (basically) next door to the Radisson RED.

krazykanuck

I'm debating if I want to Hilton hop and do 2 nights at the Hilton Brussels City, and 1 night at the Grand Hilton in the middle (so I net 3 stay credits).

Currently booked at a flexible rate at the HGI but it definitely seems a bit off the beaten path.

polkacat

The HGI is a little off the beaten path. I'd also note that I think that location is uphill from Midi and the city center (as is the EU area), so for those who prefer walking to transit, it's good to know.