Belgium 2014: This Time It’s Beersonal…

In the fall of 2012, I visited Belgium for the first time and had an amazing time exploring the country and its beer and food.  The people were gracious and welcoming.  Needless to say, I couldn’t wait for my next trip.  In one week, I return to Belgium!

While I was there in 2012, I visited several breweries and got to see several cities and towns:

• Brussels Calling: Half a Day Wasn’t Nearly Enough – A half-day tour of Brussels and its drinking establishments
• Gent (Ghent) – The Stairmaster of Belgium – A day touring Ghent
• The Boons of Lembeek: A Tour of Brouwerij Boon with Frank and Karel Boon – My tour of Boon Brewery
• Roeselare: A Short Walking Tour – Lunch and a Stroll Through Rodenbach’s Home City
• The Foeders of Roeselare: A Day with the Wooden Behemoths of Rodenbach – My tour of Rodenbach Brewery
• Brasserie de Brunehaut: A Day with Marc-Antoine De Mees – My trip to Brunehaut Brewery and Tournai

I’ve been planning the next trip for a while now, and it’s about time to put it into action.  Of course, I wanted to revisit a few of the places I saw the first time.  I’ll be stopping by to visit my friend Marc-Antoinec De Mees at his brewery, Brasserie de Brunehaut.  And since I’m in the neighborhood visiting other Lambic brewers and blenders, I’ll be visiting Brouwerij Boon to see how the expansion came out.

I also have a large list of appointments and invitations to some amazing breweries.  Over the last few weeks, I’ve been reviewing beer from some of the breweries I’ll be visiting:

• Brasserie du Bocq – Saison 1858
• Brasserie Caracole – Saxo
• Brouwerij Boon – Mariage Parfait 2008
• Gueuzerie Tilquin – Oude Gueuze 2011/2012
• Brasserie de la Senne – Brusseleir Zwët IPA

Besides these, I have a large list of other breweries I’ll be visiting, including:

• Brasserie Cantillon
• Brouwerij Hof ten Dormaal
• Oud Beersel
• 3 Fonteinen
• Sint Bernardus
• d’Achouffe

There are a few other, but I think I’ll keep them secret.  You’ll have to follow my adventures to enjoy the surprises.  I guarantee you’ll like them.  Lets just say they’re pretty fantastic and rare.  You can follow my adventures on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Untappd
• I’ll be using the hashtag #belitab2014 “Belgium I think about beer 2014.”

In addition to visiting breweries, I’ll get to hang out with Kevin of Belgian Beer Geek fame and Breandan and Elisa of Belgian Smaak for some international blogging cooperation.  This will be a touch diplomatic mission involving many beer & glass negotiations.

I’ll be detailing some amazing restaurants and bars as well as some nice hotels.  Belgium isn’t like the US.  You just can’t show up to a brewery and get a tour.  Most breweries don’t even offer tours or allow visitors.  I’ll be going where few people get to go.  You should definitely follow along and get your beer travel envy on.

Note: I’d like to extend a special thanks to all the breweries who have graciously extended invites as well as to Visit Flanders who graciously provided me with a train pass help me get around Belgium more easily!