Belgium Honeymoon

[Wilson]

Well, I'm tying the knot and taking the little lady to Belgium on our honeymoon. :D We'll be staying in Brussels and Bruges. Any places not to be missed beer, or other, wise? I bet for a kid from the deep south it'll pretty much all be awesome.

Specifically, whats the best way to get to the Westvleteren Brewery, St. Sixtus Abbey, besides drive? I really just want to see the outside of it and hang out in the pub, I hear is accross the street from it. I dont think any public transport goes there. Maybe go to Ypres and rent a bicycle?

Any and all tips will be appreciated!!

[thebeergeek]

't Bruges Beertje is a must in Bruges.

Cycling to Westvleteren is an option. The area is a mecca for cyclists.

Pick up the Good Beer Guide to Belgium.

[East Coaster]

http://belgianstyle.com/mmguide/
Has some good information. there is a nice little article in Beers of the world.
and suggests the following for
West flanders (bruges)
cafe 't kroegske has 450 beers available and a brewery has a good tasting room called brouwerij Alvinne. Den Proefzolder is a recomended bottle shop.

[corkybstewart]

Congrats for the wedding. And assuming she's into beer that sounds like a great honeymoon choice.
We ate at Erasmus in Brugges mostly due to the recommendation in the Good Beer Guide to Belgium. I would never do that again. The food was barely mediocre and they didn't have a lot of the beers on their beer menu. The waiter who started out with us was very knowledgeable, competent and friendly, but after our first beer he disappeared and a brand new guy who didn't know shit from shinola took over.
If you can find it Tom's Diner is an excellent restaurant, maybe one of the best I've ever eaten at. Great food and service, but for Belgium a limited beer list.
Tour the Haalf Maan brewery in the morning and take a canal tour after lunch, both great ways to spend a day.
Above all relax and just enjoy yourselves. Don't make it a quest to try every single "want" on your list. You can always plan another trip later, and the second trip is much easier since you'll have a much better feel for what's doable, what's worth seeing, and especially what to avoid.

[HogieWan]

Above all relax and just enjoy yourselves. Don't make it a quest to try every single "want" on your list.


agreed - it's your honeymoon. Make sure you relax and try not to shove too much in (that goes for activities and beer, I meant nothing else by it when I first typed it)

[Wilson]

Thanks guys. Good advice all around. That's one reason we are staying 10 days. I want to have time to do nothing and not feel quilty as well as a few days for shoving things in, like Hogie said, for activities and beer. :D

Yeah, she likes good beer. I figured if she could put up with my brewing and dragging her to all sorts of out of the way beer places, and other reasons of course, she is worth keeping, and my, err OUR, reward: Belgium.

[chazwicke]

Congrats for the wedding. I' and a beer writer buddy are actually headed to the same towns in early Sept. for a beer fest and then on to Munich. We'll be in Belgium 9/4 - 9/8 or 9 and then on to Germany. Do I hear Delirium Tremons? I've also decided to head back to London in early August for the GBBF. Anyone else going?

[Wilson]

What a great time! Brussels was Ok, but Brugge was outstanding! Glad I got to spend a week there. I hit up all the usual beer joints, Brugs Beertje being our favorite, great bar tenders! Den Dyver was a super beer/food restaurant, really enjoyed it!

Almost have the little lady talked into moving to Brugge; if only I could find a job there! Maybe I can train to be the next great road cyclist. Thanks for all the tips, and I highly recommend it!! :)

[chazwicke]

Congrats again. I'm much looking forward to going back in Sept.

[HogieWan]

glad you enjoyed yourself. Congratulations