Thursday 4th March to Monday 8th March 2010.
Beer tasting of Belgoo beers at 't Koelschip beer shop in Ostend
Day 1 | Thursday 4th March
We make our way by coach via Colchester, Chelmsford and some Kent pick ups, to Folkstone for the Eurotunnel crossing. Arrive in Watou in time for a beer cuisine lunch at the top flight Hommelhof Restaurant. We then make the small journey to Sint Bernardus brewery for a special visit and tasting* in the brand new tasting room, guided by genial host Marco, where all our travellers receive a beery gift pack*. Fully refreshed, we head to Ostend, check in for one night at Hotel Marion** famous for its Botteltje bar which stocks over 300 beers. Just time for a quick turnaround, we then take the bracing walk to near the Casino, and the newly opened beer shop ‘t Koelschip. Here we have a tasting of three Belgoo beers* accompanied by tapas (Arboo beer with rabbit, Luppo beer sith sea bass and Magus with mussels).
Maenhout Brewery tour hosted by Thijs Maenhout.
Day 2 | Friday 5th March
First call of the day is to the just opened Maenhout Brewery* in Meulebeke. The brewery received its licence in February 2010 and we are the first tour to visit. We will get to taste their Koeketiene Beer. We then make our way to the ever-experimental Pre-ZBF festival organized bythe excellent Alvinne brewery, which takes place at the atmospheric Kasteel der Lakebosschen, south of Bruges. This year it features some of Europe's most creative and innovative brewers, including BrewDog, Thornbridge, Struise Brewers, De Molen and Urthel. In the late afternoon we drive to Aalst for a three night stay at the fabulous four star luxury Hotel Keizershof ****. After a short stop for food, we take the coach for an evening visit to our second festival. This is the biennial Night of the Great Thirst, a lambic-feast in the wilds of Eizeringen. We then make our way back on the short journey to Aalst for a beer or two, armed with Podge's Bar Guide to Aalst.
Pre-ZBF festival 2010 at Kasteel Lakebosschen.
Day 3 | Saturday 6th March
Following a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, we make the first call of the day to Brussels for the Cantillon Brewery Public Brewing Day* where we will have a guided tour of the brewery followed by a taste of one of their beers. We then head to the small hillside town of Overijse, and pay a visit to the excellent Cafe Focus for a meal and some beers chosen from their superb and extensive menu. In the late afternoon we drive south into the countryside to Baisy-Thy and to the Brasserie du Brabant for a look round Frederick's tiny farmhouse brewery, followed by a taste of several of his beers, including a honey beer. We round off the day with a drive back to the southern outskirts of Brussels, and a quick stop at the brewpub Impremerie in Uccle.
Brewery visit at Brabant brewery.
Day 4 | Sunday 7th March
Sunday morning observances are taken at the peaceful D'Oude Brouwerij cafe at Affigem Abbey, where the outstandingly hoppy Affligem Paters Vat is available. We then travel to the magnificent annaul national Zythos Beer Festival which takes place in the centre of St Niklaas. This special festival features 60 brewers and over 200 beers served from beer stalls manned by the brewers themselves.
Zythos Beer Festival St Niklaas 2010.
Day 5| Monday 7th March
We begin the day by travelling to Zedelgem for an opportunity to buy beer to take home from Rotsaert Beer Warehouse. We then drive to Boezinge for our first ever visit and tour at the family owned and historic Leroy Brewery, led by Philip Leroy himself. We will also have a tasting* of some of their beers at De Zege, one of the brewery taps. We have our final beer and meal in Veurne before catching the Eurotunnel home.
Philip Leroy hosting a tour of the Leroy Brewery, Boezinge.
We use a luxury coach throughout the Tour. Included in the price are coach travel from Colchester or Chelmsford, still and sparkling water available on the coach, hotel breakfasts plus all items marked with an asterisk above. Arrangements can be made for different joining points on the way from Colchester to Dover or even on the other side of the channel. Personal insurance is not included but is strongly advised, as is carrying the European Health Insurance Card available online, by phone or via the Post Office. The price of this five day tour was £385 per person based on sharing a twin or double room. There is a single supplement of £112 if you want your own room. All above times are local and approximate. Food, drink, passport and insurance costs are your responsibility.
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