No. 7 isn’t big enough

I'd suggest you try the dubbels which are darker beers. Ones you might like; La Trappe, Gouden Carolus (classic), the brewery is in Mechelen, they do a blonde as well which is pleasant. The Grimbergen dubbel is pretty good, and they do a quadrupel as well (which will get you slaughtered pretty quick!). Kasteel Dunker is pretty good too, though the rouge is even nicer. That has a cherry liquer mixed in it and its seriously drinkable. I think there was a Delirium one that was a dubbel as well.... maybe called Nocturnum? Not the Tremens, not a fan of that. Westmalle is pretty decent too.

Theres a bar called Moeder Lambic that's got some of the newer brewers, fantastic sharing boards there as well. Its quite a way out of the centre, but its worth going to. The staff are really helpful and happy to guide based on your taste and what you might prefer. If on draft they'll let you try. And the other place that's worth venturing too is St Gery. Theres a lovely old market building in the middle of a square that's been converted in recent years and a really nice bar on the corner overlooking it.

If you wanted to try some of the blondes, the one I really like is Tripel Karmeliet. Quite a sweet caramel sort of flavour. And Omer is a pretty good one too.

My favourite bar in Brussels is Mort Subite. Its proper old school with waiters that have been there their whole careers and the service is wonderfully schleppy. They do a great framboise there (the kriek is pretty good too, though I prefer Timmermans or Bacchus), and I think have other breweries beers too.

Not sure if you've ever had Gueuze? Its an old fashioned lambic sour that ferments from the regions open air yeasts. Its an acquired taste but if you're up for it, Cantillon or Mort Subite are the ones to try.

Aside from beer, Petit Sablon is fantastic on a Sunday morning with the antique markets, and the best steak frites and carbonnades (beef stew) are up there too, Café Des Artistes I think its called. Doesn't look much at all, a red interior with a little outdoor bit and loads of pictures of actors.

There are also lovely chocolatiers up there, though many have opened up 2nd and 3rd ones around grand place, and in recent years, in the long royal galleries.

Grand place is great, especially at night, but don't drink round there. The bars and cafes are nice but you'll pay over the odds.

And I think I mentioned before, you can easily jump on a train and be in Ghent, Mechelen, Bruges or Leuven (has an amazing town hall building, and claims to have the worlds longest bar... a little square that is full of bars) in 20-30 minutes.

Happy to help if you need any guidance, been there about a dozen times and absolutely love the place. Happy drinking!

 

What we need is a real Cider pub & you all know it

 

Thanks for taking the time to post this. I'm going to see if I can find the dubbels you have recommended in this country.

I'm going to be there for the Grand Depart of the Tour so to some extent where I am will be dictated by that. Stage 2 is a short time trial starting at the Palais Royale and finishing at the Atomium so I will be in those areas at some point. I'd imagine there will be plenty of beer tents and stalls set up too.

If it's ok with you I will come back to you closer to the time or once we have more of a definite itinerary. Looking forward to seeing the city as much as the cycling.

Never heard of Gueuze but I am intrigued so will give it a try.

Cliched question but what do you think to the Manneken Pis? My mate says it's underwhelming.

 

If the tea and pop brigade got chucked out of redfearns that would be a start

 

Now here is a man who knows his ales! I have many happy memories of quaffing La Trappe in Gilbie's (a niche bistro/wine bar) in Hereford with my sister and brother in law. My ongoing legacy from those times is a penchant for Leffe, which you may think too sanitised and mass-produced these days!

 

You're welcome, and yes, give me a nudge when you've firmed up plans. You can definitely get them online, the missus loved the Kasteel Rouge (never tried it until august when we tried it in Utrecht) and found it online and I've had a few Belgian beer selections, think it was beerhawk. If you happen to be in Sheffield, Head of Steam has a good selection, near the crucible and Lyceum.

I've been to Atomium once, quite an interesting building and glad I went in it once, and just next to it was something like an EU little miniature city thing. Can't remember what it was called but that was a decent hour or so being out that way.

I'd definitely try a Gueuze before you go. I love sours, but if you're not tuned into it, its cheaper to waste a bottle bought online than when in a Brussels bar. or... maybe an even better idea, look for one in a Carrefour Express at the midi train station in Brussels (or as you wander), their beer in supermarkets is crazy cheap!

As for Mannekin Pis. Lets just say in approx. 10 visits we sought it out once.... then quickly forgot about it. Suppose if youre nearby its worth going to simply marvel at how many people are taking pictures of a small urinating cherub, sometimes dressed in really cheap naff clothing! And think there is a big tintin mural round there which is more impressive. Prefer the urinating dog in the St Gery district personally!

 

What Ciders are served in Redfearns ?

 

I never got a taste for Leffe to be honest. But then I tried it when I first came to London about 20 years ago and I'd certainly not got my beer tastebuds at that point! I do like Leffe Ruby though which was an Antwerp discovery. A lot of the old brewers have sadly been hoovered up by the bigger companies, I know Leffe and Jupiler are now in the InBev stable.

 

Like the Head of Steam - hoping to go back once the Satdi train strikes are over!

I'm both intrigued and unconvinced by Geueze bit will give it a try. We've got three full days so hopefully plenty of time to see other stuff apart from the cycling.

My mate (who I am going with) has seen the Mannekin Pis and pretty much agrees with your assessment.

 

I first tried gueuze at the cantillon brewery that's in Brussels about 10 mins from gare du nord. It's a bit of a shock at first. But since then I've really got a taste for sours, loads of 'goses' at the minute which are a version of the gueuze.

Have you tried kriek? That's generally a gueuze base but with fruit (cherry), though some versions are more balanced than sour

 

Not a fan of fruit flavoured beers to be honest. If I go for a flavoured beer I'd go for coffee, liquorice or chocolate in that order. I'll have to ask the barman for a gueuze suitable for someone who doesn't think he will like gueuzes!

Actually, I have just done a bit of reading on goses - are witte beers goses or are goses witte beers? Or neither? I'm confused.

 

There are tonnes of fruit beers in Belgium. Be rude not to try one or ten!!!

Have you tried milk stouts? Just getting into them and had a really nice one from wiper and true at the weekend.

The goses I've had so far have generally been new uk breweries, and are salty fusions.

Wits are more wheat based or unfiltered that I'm aware, though I've no idea how they differ on the brewing side. A couple on here have far better knowledge than me and good to tap into, think merde tete was one.

I generally sample diverse and wide selections... For the greater good and for informational reference, of course!

 

Love milk stout. Although I can only manage one or two with it being so rich. Seems to be hard to find though. To be fair the Guinness one is pretty decent. In fact, for mass produced stuff, all of their bottles are pretty decent. The porter and West Indian porter are spot on too. There's better out there but as a fall back option they're pretty decent.

 

Stricter on licensing. Banning 241. Crack down on underage drinking.

That kind of thing.

 

https://www.beerhawk.co.uk/wiper-and-true-milk-shake

Try that one. And yes, even down here it's pretty hard to find. Think its a pretty acquired taste and the lactose puts some people off, so as a result they don't produce that much. Was also a good one in Southampton, and old wool storehouse converted into a brewpub, Dancing Man it was called. Just looked it up and the Milk Stout was called Bovine Intervention. Good from memory, and an interesting brewery that hasn't made it up to London as yet.

 

Forget what beer yer like - this thread is about the No 7 not being big enough and so we need more pubs in Barnsley that are like it.

 

Nice one - I will give that a try and let you know my thoughts

 

00Bar sells Grimbergen in 2/3 pint measures - very nice! Anyone tried Schlenkerla smoked beers?

 

Christ don’t even get me started on this

Craft ale in 2/3rds of a pint pot at a full pints price. And no one grumbles a jot! Put 2/3rds in a normal pot there would be uproar.

Yes I’m a heathen

 

Quality over quantity. Great value when you consider the flavour and percentages. 2/3 at 7,8 even 11% is much better value than 4% for a pint? No?