Off to Europe!
Short post today, as the wife and I are off to Europe for the next couple weeks. We’re going to Amsterdam, Brussels, Ghent, Brugges, Cologne, and Dusseldorf, and would love to see if any of you guys have any beer-related advice (breweries, bars, or beers to try).
We’ve already checked out the European Beer Guide (great reference), as well as looked into going to Westvleteren (too far), but I was wondering if anyone had personal recommendations from their experiences.
Anyway, that’s all for now. I’m sure I’ll have some pictures and stories in a couple weeks when we get home.
Enjoy
Staminee De Garde is an absolute must!! A bit hard to find , as it sits in a tiny Allee in Brügge.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1235/
Also Brugs Beertje. Great locals place. Sit at the bar and talk to the lady owner. She is super knowledgeable about all beers Belgian. Have a great trip.
Paffgen in Cologne and Zum Schlussel in Dusseldorf for the best Kolsch and Altbier respectively. Eat the 'Himmel un Ad' at Paffgen.
Shame you aren't coming to Blighty, Scott. I would have loved to have introduced you to some fine Yorkshire cask ales. Still, heading to Germany & Belgium, you will be in beer Nirvana. Have a great time and thanks for the great blog.
For a variation of the "classic" Düsseldorf Alt try Brauerei Kürzer – the newest addition to the Alt Breweries here in Düsseldorf and slightly sweeter/maltier than Uerige. Also if you are looking for a tour of the Düsseldorf breweries let me know – happy to be your guide.
Like Richie said, Päffgen ist the Kölsch here in town. Also check out Mühlen Kölsch, it's up there with Päff and they have their seasonal wheat beer on tap right now at the brewpub. As for craft beer, check out Braustelle, a small independent brewpub which has different beers on tap (usually a Kölsch, a brown and a wheat) . Right now they also have a dark, roasty barrel-aged Maibock on tap plus more varieties in bottles.
As for Alt, I'm going with Uerige. More bitterness than the rest of the bunch, really tasty stuff. And they have a pretty nice spot in old town, their brewpub is down at the Rhine.
I was in Brussels for 3 days in late March with the girlfriend,
I recommend Cantillon for obvious reasons
Moeder lambic is a great place for lunch and has a great beer list (ask for the cellar list and get the meat and cheese plate it was probably the best of our European trip), we spent an entire afternoon in the Grand Market which is nice for people watching and dinner
Delirium Tremens (go down stairs and gaze through the phone book sized beer list its awesome and mostly Belgian)
Across from the Mannekin Pis is Poechenelle Kelder which has a great beer list and good food. Drink Orval it is such a different experience fresh.
Kind of off the beaten path but Beer Mania is a nice bottle shop where we picked up Westvleteren XII and VIII there as well as a ton of others to drink in our hotel and bring back to the states.
I remember you had a post where you said you didnt particularly like the esters and phenols Belgian yeast strains put off and they used to be hit and miss for me too. I cant recommend enough that you just immerse yourself in their beer, I find myself craving those flavors from time to time now.
Be safe and have a great time, Cheers!
Check out Brouwerij 't IJ in Amsterdam. An awesome place with great beers.
Make reservations at Den Dyver in Bruges, if you haven't already. Amazing beer-pairing dinner.
Scott,
Hope you're still brewing! noticed your temp monitor has been going extremely high!.
-Matt
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Yeah, me too, Scott; you got a fan base out here waiting for some new brewing wisdom man! Hope you had a great time in Europa.
Hey buddy…hope vacation was good! Any brewing updates…or is it to hot to brew right now? Middle of winter here in New Zealand!
Okay… You've been gone long enough, time for a new post. :oP
Agreed. Hope all is well.
Miss your posts. I hope all is well.
OK, 4-months is long enough!
Hope to hear from you soon! I have learned a lot from your blog and can't wait to see what you're brewing next.
I love what you guys are up to. Great work and beer industry coverage! Keep up the great effort guys I’ve you guys to my personal blogroll. Kudos from Beer and Body. Lose the Belly, NOT the Beer!
Hope all is well Scott.
Hope your trip went well and you are good. We'd all love to see more blog posts – you're my favorite beer blog on the net!
Please, don't stop! We miss you!!!