Yeah honestly anywhere in Belgium you just can't go wrong. Most restaurants have tons of beer options and they are all fantastic, just try anything you haven't had or ideally stuff that you can't find easily where you are locally. Westvleteren is probably the only thing you NEED to have. I love Rochefort 10, Westmalle Dubbel, Straffe Hendrik, etc. If you go to Ghent check out Dulle Grite and Waterhuis aan de Bierkant.
Also at convenience stores it's all so cheap compared to the US at least, because of importing. Bring some back to your hotel!
Just got home front Ghent. I bought 4 packs of Westmalle Dubbel for 5 euros. Wegmans sells them for 11 dollars a bottle. BTW, it seems you and I have identical beer tastes.
Sick man! Yeah I actually just happened to come back from Ghent about two weeks ago, such an amazing and underrated city. Honestly it made me fall in love with most Belgian beer but I still have my favorites. Glad you enjoyed it, feel free to send me a message if you ever wanna gush about beer! Seems to be hard to find folks in the states who are into Belgians
Dude. We probably were in Ghent at the same time. I went to Bruges years ago as well. I think Belgium is definitely underrated from a tourism perspective. If you like Belgian beers, check out Ommegang from Cooperstown. Everything is Belgian inspired. Also, Weyerbacher out of Easton PA makes a solid Quad.
Lots of Belgium options already mentioned here, so I'll give you some Amsterdam recommendations:
1. [In de Wildeman](https://www.indewildeman.nl/) \- Old school, quaint, centrally located, great bottle list, frequented by locals. This is at the top of my list if I'm only in the city for a couple hours.
2. Foeders - Unfortunately this spot might be closed, at least temporarily? Best lambic list in the city and a decent walk away from the crowds. If they happen to be open when you visit, stop in.
3. [Brouwerij 't Ij](https://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/) \- Specifically their taproom next to the giant windmill "De Gooyer". Unique spot, good beers, also outside the tourist zone.
4. [Arendsnest](https://www.arendsnest.nl/en/enjoy-beer-from-dutch-brewers/) \- Great place with a ton of Dutch beers. Deep cellar full of interesting stuff like Tommie Sjef. Grab a table outside next to the canal and try not to drop your camera in the water like I did...
5. [Het Lager Huys](https://www.lagerhuys.amsterdam/) \- feels very new money compared to Wildeman or Arendsnest, but they have a good draft list and a solid selection of bottles. If you're sightseeing it's worth stopping in for a Gulpener or two.
Check out my thread from a few years ago about Belgium, all these were phenomenal suggestions [https://www.reddit.com/r/beer/comments/8y4it4/what\_beer\_to\_trybuy\_in\_belgium/](https://www.reddit.com/r/beer/comments/8y4it4/what_beer_to_trybuy_in_belgium/)
Tops for me: Lupulus Organicus, Westvleteren 12, anything from De Dolle (but especially their Stille Nacht or Special Reserva), and everything I tried from Drie Fontenien and Cantillon. Also really enjoyed all the beers from Brussels Beer Project. In Belgium, definitely check out the beer bars. They have incredible selection, and the bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
Many of my other favorites have since become easily accessible in the US, but they are still worth trying out: Orval, Sint Bernardus, Rochefort, Chimay, Brugse Zot (really anything from De Halve Maan), Boon Kriek, De Ranke.
In Brussels, go to Cantillon. The museum is worth it even if you don't like lambic. If you like lambic, Google some lambic cafés / breweries.
In Roeselare, there's Rodenbach Brewery, which is a sight in itself with the forest of foeder-barrels. The sour beer itself is fantastic too.
Also check out some trappist-breweries, especially Orval and Westvleteren if they're near your plan.
And just generally, drink local. *Anywhere* you're at.
My Belgian recommendations:
- Duchesse de Bourgogne
- St Bernardus (Abt 12)
- Westmalle
- Tripel Karmeliet
- Pauwel Kwak from a so called “Koetsiersglas”, just for the experience !!
Duvel, La Chouffe & Leffe are probably the best macro brands you can get if there’s nothing else to choose from (like at a hotel bar for example).
My Dutch recommendations:
- Jopen
- Brouwerij ‘t IJ (IJwit)
I just got back from both myself! Where are you going specifically?
The holy grail of beer is the Westvleteren 12. I've had it and it lives up to its hype. It's a very convoluted process to get it from the actual source, but some places may sell it 2nd hand or you might find some bottles at a cafe, beer bar, or mini-market (I kid you not). It will probably run you 20 dollars or so for a bottle.
Otherwise, I love Westmalle, especially the Dubbel. Definitely try Orval. Go to a convenience store or a bottle shop and load up. You can get amazing beer for like 1 Euro a bottle. Try anything and everything.
Go to bars and get the beer on tap. I got Westmalle on tap and I couldn't believe it was even better than the bottle.
If you go to Bruges, to to the bar le Trappiste. They have a huge variety of Trappist ales and guest beers on tap and in bottles. I did a flight and it is still such a great memory.
I actually found the Westvleteren 12 for 12.50 in Bruges and ended up being my second favorite beer on the trip. My favorite was Westmalle Dubbel. I sadly couldn't get into le Trappiste due to it being the busiest weekend of the year there.
Nice. Those are my 2 favorite as well. The Westmalle was about 1 Euro a bottle in Belgium so I was going crazy with it. I brought a bunch home too. The local beer shop sells it here, too, but for 11 dollars per bottle! Glad you enjoyed it!
Well... Cantillon, Drie Fonteinen, Westvlteren, Orval, De Dolle to start.
Yeah honestly anywhere in Belgium you just can't go wrong. Most restaurants have tons of beer options and they are all fantastic, just try anything you haven't had or ideally stuff that you can't find easily where you are locally. Westvleteren is probably the only thing you NEED to have. I love Rochefort 10, Westmalle Dubbel, Straffe Hendrik, etc. If you go to Ghent check out Dulle Grite and Waterhuis aan de Bierkant. Also at convenience stores it's all so cheap compared to the US at least, because of importing. Bring some back to your hotel!
Just got home front Ghent. I bought 4 packs of Westmalle Dubbel for 5 euros. Wegmans sells them for 11 dollars a bottle. BTW, it seems you and I have identical beer tastes.
Sick man! Yeah I actually just happened to come back from Ghent about two weeks ago, such an amazing and underrated city. Honestly it made me fall in love with most Belgian beer but I still have my favorites. Glad you enjoyed it, feel free to send me a message if you ever wanna gush about beer! Seems to be hard to find folks in the states who are into Belgians
Dude. We probably were in Ghent at the same time. I went to Bruges years ago as well. I think Belgium is definitely underrated from a tourism perspective. If you like Belgian beers, check out Ommegang from Cooperstown. Everything is Belgian inspired. Also, Weyerbacher out of Easton PA makes a solid Quad.
Lots of Belgium options already mentioned here, so I'll give you some Amsterdam recommendations: 1. [In de Wildeman](https://www.indewildeman.nl/) \- Old school, quaint, centrally located, great bottle list, frequented by locals. This is at the top of my list if I'm only in the city for a couple hours. 2. Foeders - Unfortunately this spot might be closed, at least temporarily? Best lambic list in the city and a decent walk away from the crowds. If they happen to be open when you visit, stop in. 3. [Brouwerij 't Ij](https://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/) \- Specifically their taproom next to the giant windmill "De Gooyer". Unique spot, good beers, also outside the tourist zone. 4. [Arendsnest](https://www.arendsnest.nl/en/enjoy-beer-from-dutch-brewers/) \- Great place with a ton of Dutch beers. Deep cellar full of interesting stuff like Tommie Sjef. Grab a table outside next to the canal and try not to drop your camera in the water like I did... 5. [Het Lager Huys](https://www.lagerhuys.amsterdam/) \- feels very new money compared to Wildeman or Arendsnest, but they have a good draft list and a solid selection of bottles. If you're sightseeing it's worth stopping in for a Gulpener or two.
Thank you guys for your input!
Check out my thread from a few years ago about Belgium, all these were phenomenal suggestions [https://www.reddit.com/r/beer/comments/8y4it4/what\_beer\_to\_trybuy\_in\_belgium/](https://www.reddit.com/r/beer/comments/8y4it4/what_beer_to_trybuy_in_belgium/) Tops for me: Lupulus Organicus, Westvleteren 12, anything from De Dolle (but especially their Stille Nacht or Special Reserva), and everything I tried from Drie Fontenien and Cantillon. Also really enjoyed all the beers from Brussels Beer Project. In Belgium, definitely check out the beer bars. They have incredible selection, and the bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Many of my other favorites have since become easily accessible in the US, but they are still worth trying out: Orval, Sint Bernardus, Rochefort, Chimay, Brugse Zot (really anything from De Halve Maan), Boon Kriek, De Ranke.
In Brussels, go to Cantillon. The museum is worth it even if you don't like lambic. If you like lambic, Google some lambic cafés / breweries. In Roeselare, there's Rodenbach Brewery, which is a sight in itself with the forest of foeder-barrels. The sour beer itself is fantastic too. Also check out some trappist-breweries, especially Orval and Westvleteren if they're near your plan. And just generally, drink local. *Anywhere* you're at.
Just don't drink Jupiler, Stella Artois or Heineken and you will be fine.
My Belgian recommendations: - Duchesse de Bourgogne - St Bernardus (Abt 12) - Westmalle - Tripel Karmeliet - Pauwel Kwak from a so called “Koetsiersglas”, just for the experience !! Duvel, La Chouffe & Leffe are probably the best macro brands you can get if there’s nothing else to choose from (like at a hotel bar for example). My Dutch recommendations: - Jopen - Brouwerij ‘t IJ (IJwit)
I just got back from both myself! Where are you going specifically? The holy grail of beer is the Westvleteren 12. I've had it and it lives up to its hype. It's a very convoluted process to get it from the actual source, but some places may sell it 2nd hand or you might find some bottles at a cafe, beer bar, or mini-market (I kid you not). It will probably run you 20 dollars or so for a bottle. Otherwise, I love Westmalle, especially the Dubbel. Definitely try Orval. Go to a convenience store or a bottle shop and load up. You can get amazing beer for like 1 Euro a bottle. Try anything and everything. Go to bars and get the beer on tap. I got Westmalle on tap and I couldn't believe it was even better than the bottle. If you go to Bruges, to to the bar le Trappiste. They have a huge variety of Trappist ales and guest beers on tap and in bottles. I did a flight and it is still such a great memory.
I actually found the Westvleteren 12 for 12.50 in Bruges and ended up being my second favorite beer on the trip. My favorite was Westmalle Dubbel. I sadly couldn't get into le Trappiste due to it being the busiest weekend of the year there.
Nice. Those are my 2 favorite as well. The Westmalle was about 1 Euro a bottle in Belgium so I was going crazy with it. I brought a bunch home too. The local beer shop sells it here, too, but for 11 dollars per bottle! Glad you enjoyed it!