Magical Beer Mecca

For me to tell beer enthusiast to visit Belgium almost sounds redundant, if not ridiculous. Of course any suds sipper worth their salt would be interested in a visit to one of the great historical homes of beer. Of the important European brew countries, it could easily be argued that Belgium tops the list.
If we put aside the very real obstacles of a Belgium visit — such as cost, time off of work, etc., there are a number of stout reasons why the tiny western European country should be high on your list of destinations, for fans of the wondrous beverages and wanderlust travel alike. Belgium is an amazing place and there’s much more to the country than just their world-class beer.
For starters, Belgium is a beautiful country, cities and countryside alike. Unlike much of our own America, Belgium is old and majestic, presenting a true peek into the past. The Grand Place is by far the most overwhelmingly gorgeous and picturesque central square in the world. And while Belgium may be overlooked for it’s glamorous neighbors to the south, the industrious folks to the east or the indulgent lot to the north, the amazingly friendly people with an open and unique sense of humor should have this little country on top for travel.
From a historical perspective, few countries offer the wealth of possibilities of Belgium. An early arrival of the industrial revolution and several well-placed cities brought international importance to the country, while influences from the Netherlands, Germany, and France among others made Belgium a wholly distinctive land.
More importantly for Americans, the impressive connection between Belgium and the U.S. forged in World War II has a historical significance few other places can boast. While visiting over the holidays, as the entire country was draped in a winter wonderland not to be missed, a day trip to Vielsalm, a town near the Ardennes forest where Americans and Belgians fought the Nazi forces at the Battle of the Bulge, brought forth the full emotional force of the 70th anniversary of this historic battle. To see veterans of the war, to be welcomed as ‘liberators’ by the locals, and to even consider what happened decades ago, it’s a true mystery that more of us don’t visit this amazing land.
And I haven’t even really discussed the beer. Of course, it’s obvious that a trip to Belgium would not be complete without a discussion of beer, but you can’t even imagine how ubiquitous the drink really is in the country. Where you might need to visit a craft beer bar or restaurant to have a decent selection, here in Belgium, pages and pages of the best beers the country has to offer appear in nearly every spot.
Whether it’s drinking rare and heady sour ales at Moeder Lambic in Brussels, sipping a local tripel, of which you’re only allowed three, in the hidden upstairs of Staminee de Garre in Bruges (one of the worlds true gems of a tiny, throwback, dreamlike city), or sharing a 2005 magnum of Gouden Carolus Christmas with best beer friends in a bizarre ‘crazy grandma’s hoarder house’-like bar Kulminator in the fantastic city of Antwerp — these are all experiences that will never be forgotten. To sip the elusive and world’s best Westvleteren 12 Trappist Quadrupel, it could only be Belgium. A trip of a lifetime. A trip too few have undertaken. Highly recommended for beer but also for life, don’t overlook Belgium. Enjoy the brews … Cheers.
Gene’s Haufbrau has at more than 200 beers in bottles or on tap. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy. 225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob at publisher@westof.net.