B is for Belgium (+ Brussels)

It was kind of a last-minute decision to make a detour to Brussels during our vacation to France. And boy-howdy! Am I glad we did!

Cheers from high atop Brussels at The BeerLab!

Belgian style beers have been my favorite, with a witbiers topping my list of "go-to" brews, as there's something super satisfying about an unfiltered, hazy wheat with a touch of bright fruit side flavors - especially of the orange or pineapple variety. That hint of clove is nice too. I tried many several styles of Belgian beers while in Brussels and did not taste anything shy of stellar in every sip. I even sampled some darker varieties to round out my flavor experience.

Our first stop after waffles (and a crazy bi-annual parade of the arts), was Delirium Village just a few blocks from the historical Grand Place. The village is a variety of different Delirium drinking establishments along a back alley. Each has a different vibe, but with the same tap list. We decided on The Tap Room.

Sarah's Delirium Floris Framboise,

I opted for the Blanche des Neiges witbier and Sarah jumped at their Floris Framboise. My Blanche des Neiges (5% ABV) ticked off all the wit boxes with citrus notes and wheat. A little more bitter than I usually prefer for a witbier or expected from a low 12 IBU, but enjoyable. Sarah's Floris Framboise had all the characteristics of any lambic with a sweet raspberry kick and zestiness she adores. A wee bit sweet for day-drinking for me, but it'd make an awesome accompaniment to a dark chocolatey dessert.

Blanche de Namur, with a view.

After Delirium, Sarah and I visited The BeerLab rooftop sky bar atop Belgian Beer World and I'm not sure what was cooler, the view or the beers. With over 150 Belgian brews on tap to choose from, it was a tad daunting while ordering amongst a huge throng of like-minded beer loving tourists and the slight language issue between myself and the keeper of the bar at my (long) line.

While Sarah secured us a seat, I procured our beverages and opted for a Leffe Blonde for m'lady and a Blanche de Namur for myself. However, once Sarah sampled the Blanche de Namur, she gave me her blonde in a swap I did not wholeheartedly agree too.

Leffe Blonde is an abbey-style ale with a deep golden hue. It's 6.6% ABV with a touch of vanilla that masks a slight bitterness (20 IBU). I much preferred Brasserie Du Bocq's Blanche de Namur witbier. A little creamy, it stressed those traditional wit flavors of wheat, coriander, and some orange peel bitterness while offering a restrained 4.5% ABV and modest 11 IBU. Needless to say, my second pint was a Blanche de Namur. That was some wonderful sipping overlooking Brussels on a super sunny and overly warm European afternoon.

Leffe Brune, an Abbey Dubbel.

Dinner was next, so we wandered back down into the shady streets of Brussels in search of a bonafide Belgian meal. Based on ChatGPT's recommendation for an economical "locals-choice" establishment we headed to 9 et Voisins a few blocks from The BeerLab. And it did not disappoint!

9 et Voisins's arbonnade w/ chimay.

I ordered the carbonnade with chimay (Flemish stew and mashed potatoes) and asked our server what beer paired well with the beefy dish. Without hesitation he recommended a Leffe Brune as that is the beer the chef uses in making the stew. "Would I steer you wrong?" he kidded in a droll French accent, rolling his eyes. He did not. Sarah transitioned over to wine at this point, so no second beer to sample (sad emoji).

Leffe Brune, an Abbey Dubbel style beer, has a rich, dark-roasted malty flavor with sweet wisps of fruit. A little bitter (28 IBU), its subtle caramel flavor works well in balancing the two tasting profiles. At 6.5% ABV (and an afternoon of sipping our way across Brussels), one was enough as we still had one more brewery to visit before bedtime.

BBP's Lazy Panda

Easily walkable from our hotel was Brussels Beer Project (BBP), so other than crossing two major thoroughfares and double tram tracks, getting "home" safe and sound should be a breeze. Sarah tapped out of drinking at BBP, full from eating and drinking our all dang day. I opted for BBP's Lazy Panda (a Regenerative Belgian Blond with 17 IBU and 4.9% ABV) that drank quite crispy with a very negligible bitterness. Smooth and easy to drink, Lazy Panda was quite the thirst-quencher after an overly warm day of sight-seeing around the beer centric "Capital of Europe."