Your Comments, Criticisms and Contributions - October 2003
Do you homebrew? If so, how critical are you of your craft? I am still in trial and error stage of this, and I haven't had much luck.
- Emitt Kuyt
Actually, Emitt, I don't brew at all. I think I could probably do a decent job on a brew, but my philosophy is to let the experts do the work for me.
Hello Mr. Beaumont. I really enjoy your web-site!!! You tell it like it is. As a homebrewer I look at beer a lot differently than non-homebrewers. Yes, I do buy beer because I do run out of my own now and then. I like to try new beers from the microbreweries from Ontario, and I wish there were more from Canada available. But lately I have noticed a slight change at the beer store check-out. I can't believe my eyes when there is no Molson Canadian, Coors Light etc. being rolled to the check-out. Last week at 5 p.m., a busy time, there were 6 people buying beer and they all were buying non-Mol/Lab beer. Great!! Finally people were getting the hint that for just a buck or 2 more you can get much better beer. Hope it keeps up. Now if I can just get my brother to stop buying Budweiser!!!
- Chris Storey
Thanks for the note of optimism, Chris. Good to hear it.
A couple of months, quite possibly a year ago, I heard a great radio program about Belgian Beers. At the time, I thought: "Wow, I will have to try some."
However, last week while looking for a new brew to try at my local liquor store, I recalled the program. The reason for that recall is that my wife and I are headed to Belgium, specifically Brussels, for two nights in October (our first anniversary). and I am extremely excited about the prospect of trying some of the beers you mentioned on your program. Of course, I can't recall what and where they are. Would you be kind enough to help me out and maybe give me a list of places to hit?
- Craig A. Capello
First off, I'd suggest that you forget everything you know about beer and visit the Cantillon Brewery, where they craft outstanding lambics that have more in common with Champagne than they do ordinary beer. (See this feature for more on Cantillon and why you should visit there.) Brasserie Cantillon, 56 rue Gheudestraat, 1070 Brussels, p: 02/521.49.28
There are a number of cafes I'd suggest visiting in and nearby to Brussels, including the following:
In de Oude Smis van Mekingen
10 J.B. Cardijnstraat
Sint-Pieters-Leeuw
(no phone)
Bij Rie van Mollem
6 Dorp
Mollem
p: 02/460.45.54
La Fleur en Papier Dorée
55 rue des Alexiens/Cellebroersstraat
Brussels
p: 02/511.16.59
Le Cirio
18-20 rue de la Bourse
Brussels
p: 02/512.13.95
Estaminet Le Zageman (A paradise of lambics!)
116 rue de Laeken/Lakensestraat
Brussels
02/219.50.65
De Ultieme Hallucinatie
316 rue Royale/Koningsstraat
Brussels
p: 02/217.06.14
Cafe In de Rare Vos
22 Marktplaats
1703 Schepdaal
p: 02/569.20.86
Drie Fonteinen
3 Herman Teirlinckplein,
1650 Beersel
p: 02/331.06.52
f: 02/331.07.03
But for pure selection of Belgian beers, you can't beat the Bier Circus in Brussels, at 89 rue de l'Enseignement/Onderwijsstraat; p:02/218.00.34. Unfortunately, it is no longer open on the weekend.
You can also buy beer to bring home at De Bier Tempel, just off the Grand'Place at 56 Grasmarkt/Marche-aux-Herbes; p: 02/502.19.06.
We're very interested in your news, notes, comments and questions, so please feel free to contact SBWoB by clicking on the link below. Or you can add your comments when you sign up for the World of Beer Update, a mid-month e-mail newsletter that brings even more of the world of beer to your computer.
