Hector Bounces Back : Day -2 – Brussel

The Prologue

Hector Bounces Back, a title partly inspired by the fact that there was no Hector’s Horrible Holiday in 2013 and that a night in Soest (Moehnesee) was planned. Day 1 is officially on Friday, however Kenny and Hector knew Dr. Stan would be in Brussel en route. He doesn’t fly these days.

To enable Hector’s First ever Eurostar London-Brussel Experience, Two nights in Brussel were conceived, and a night in Crawley to facilitate catching a morning train from St. Pancras. Kenny was on an overnight bus, Dr. Stan a morning train from Glasgow. He would arrive in Brussel later.

The Ibis St Catherine proved to have the best deal on single rooms, a hotel Dr. Stan claimed one could see from Toone, a favourite Watering Hole. How he thought this remained a mystery as Kenny and Hector checked in just after 14.00.

The First Bier of the Trip was destined to be at Cantillon, the Geuze. This is a Lambic, brewed with Yeast provided by prevailing winds. As Sour as Bier can be a long time favourite. It is years since I was here, on Hector’s Hollandisch Hootenany it was a National Holiday the day we spent in Brussel. It could be as far back as The Bon Accord Trip. Cantillon opens on workdays only and closes at 17.00. At €7.00 per 0.75l this is the most affordable place on Earth to drink Cantillon Bier. Why do The Majority of Brewers charge street prices at their Taps? No messing.

With limited time, Kenny and Hector went on to share the Kriek. Again Sour, but with an infusion of Cherries. Cinnamon is what I get from this Bier. Truly wonderful stuff.

Part Museum, part Brewery, Cantillon do Tours. A group of American Weans were making far too much noise when they sat down after their tour. They hated the Bier, but drank it anyway. This reminds me of my Stagg Trip.

Dr. Stan had suggested he would meet us after 17.00, nearby Moeder Lambic was an obvious rendezvous point. The same group of Americans had arrived before us and were getting a somewhat dubious talk by a compatriot.

With Hunners of Biers to choose from on Draught, the choice is not simple. Moeder Fudder (sic) was on the Specials List. I was promised by the Doris that it would have American Hops. It did, what was expected and also relieved me of a ridiculous sum of cash. Cantillon Framboise completed the very short session here. Lots of Bier, not necessarily in the Style desired or a price a sensible person would pay.

Dr. Stan was in Belgium but not at Moeder Lambic. We moved to a new Rendezvous Point, a Pub I was taken to on The Bon Accord Trip adjacent to the Manneken Pis. I remembered the Locus not the name.

Poechenellekelder

Hector found himself alone. Kenny was off to charge his phone, still no Dr. Stan. A little Rodenbach would pass the time. Dark with a distinctive almost Tangy/Fruity Flavour, this surprisingly always goes down well. Hopus was a safe follow up, the clue is in the name. By this time we were Three.

Dr. Stan admitted to going to The Wrong Ibis, the Central, which can be seen from Toone.

Kenny and Hector interrupted the session for a Kebab next door. Kebabs are way better in Europe, better Bread, Better Meat. Here the Service was poor, The Chap thought we were spying on him when I took photos. The place had video surveillance, so who was spying on who?

Taras Boulba – Brasserie de la Senne, brought the visit to Poechenellekelder to a close. Dr. Stan had some Cheese, covered in Celery Salt. I had forgotten just how wonderful this is. Kenny was taken aback thinking it was Pepper. The combination of Salt and Celery took him by surprise. He had Naked Cheese.

Toone

We had to wander through The Grand Place just to feel like Tourists do. George Square it ain’t.

Toone lies just off the Grand Place, Kwak awaits. Dr. Stan and Hector have put a few Kwaks away on these premises dating back to 2003. Draught of course, and still served in the Round Bottomed Glass, hence the Wooden Frame, this Bier is so far away from my norm. Dark, Stronger than should be comfortable we were set for a Final Session. Mein Host announced that he was closing at 22.00. On a Wednesday, in the height of Summer? They had just had their Rest Day. They don’t need the money.

We couldn’t go to bed yet

Out the back of Toone lies Delirium Tremens. It was Mobbed, full of Weans, and Too Noisy. Something more Sedate please.

A walk through the arcade took us to Morte Subite. How much better this, and everywhere else for that matter, is with the Ban on Smoking. Kenny tells me the Greeks have voted to bring smoking back. If so, next February’s Trip to Athens may be the last.

The Kriek here is not as Sour as Cantillon, only One Other Kriek is, and that’s tomorrow’s treat. How we ever bought the Vases of this in 2003, who knows?

We had to buy our own Cheese. Kenny sampled some more Celery Salt.

Maybe he’s starting to get the hang of it…

The Nightcap

Chouffe Houblon is what we hoped to have on Draught at Delirium Tremens. Dr. Stan had a Voucher for his Complimentary Ibis Drink, Chouffe Houblon was available in bottles. And so this Delightfully Dry, Hoppy Bier brought Day -2 to a close.

Tomorrow Brugge.

 

The Breweries, and Brasseries visited today:

Brasserie Cantillon – 56 Rue Gheude, Brussel

Moeder Lambic  –  8 Place de Fontainas

Le Poechenellekelder – Rue du Chêne, 5, 1000 Brussel

Toone  –  Impasse Schuddeveld and the Impasse Sainte Pétronille

Morte Subite  –  7 Rue Montagne

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