15.00 at Brasserie Cantillon, that was the arrangement with Dr. Stan. The 10.58 Eurostar from St. Pancras arrived at Brussel Zuid at 14.05, on schedule. This gave sufficient time to negotiate the indifferent check-in at Hotel Aviation and mop the brow. To say it was unseasonally warm would be an understatement. 32ºC in mid-September is not the norm.
Hotel Aviation only has one redeeming feature, its proximity to the station, the competitive price for a single room, and its proximity to Cantillon. That’s three redeeming features, it is not air conditioned, but is remarkably quiet.
It was exactly 15.00 when Hector turned the handle at Brasserie Cantillon, if one didn’t know one would assume it was closed, the exterior belies what lies within. No Dr. Stan, just an American couple drinking what looked like the Peach. It was Kriek for Hector, as Sour as Bier can be. €9.00 for the bottle is an absolute giveaway compared to what is charged in Brussel’s Bars. Don’t even think about ordering this at home.
We close at 16.00on a Wednesday – Doris advised me as she presented the bottle in its basket, one glass accompanying. Dr. Stan did not arrive until 15.40, there was till time for a bottle of Geuze with two tumblers. Dr. Stan finished the Kriek. One could spend the day here, a wee lie down might be required afterwards. Cantillon Kriek, only surpassed by Hanssens, but the latter only blend I am told, they do not brew.
By 16.05 Mein Host was getting restless. We finished as fast as we could and were escorted off the premises. Tuesday’s Brew had to be dealt with making them extremely busy on a Wednesday, hence the early closing. Do they actually open on a Wednesday in winter?
Hector was last out of Cantillon at 16.10. This makes a change from 04.10.
Moeder Lambic was the next venue. The 46 Bier taps make this a must. Dr. Stan declared we would have the 3.5% mouthwash to get us started. Band of Brothers (Brasserie de la Senne, Belgium) was hoppy but lacked the body. Still, given the heat a good start to the next part of the day. L’amer des Moeder’s (Jandrail Janrenouille, Belgium) is brewed for the Pub. At 6.0% this was more like, truly Dry and Hoppy, what would be considered to be a good Session Bier in Glasgow.
Instinct took us through the Grand Place, past Toone and through the alleys to Delirium Tremens. How quiet it was this Wednesday evening compared to summer and weekend visits. A Pint of a 9.0% Bier may sound like madness, but not where Chouffe Houblon is concerned. This is one of the true Modern Classics, as the name translates, full of Hops, sheer joy. Absolutely no sweetness here. Of course we had another.
Sat at the same table as last November, we were amused by the adjacent photo booth, as were the few who actually put money in. The nearest facilities were downstairs, the Bar here was stowed. I’ll need to establish what the attraction is some time. We could have stayed, but Dr. Stan and Hector had a Brussel Ritual to complete, Draught Kwak (Brouwerij Bosteels, Buggenhout, Belgium) at Toone. 8.4% is nothing.
Entering from the wrong side, two Chaps were in the lane. I heard one say something about a Bar and a Puppet Theatre before they turned back. Oh no you don’t. And so we were joined by Dave and Jorg, an Englishman and a German. Jorg was not drinking, Dave joined the Ritual. The Cheese smothered with Celery Salt was not forthcoming, they had none. We let our displeasure be known. How could this be?
Adjacent to the Manneken Pis is Le Poechenellekelder, Jorg and Dave were still in tow. Never mind the Bier, let’s get the Cheese. The Chap brought the Celery Salt Seller too, what a mistake to make. Methinks I was a bit carried away, the Celery Salt was everywhere, overkill.
Jorg bade us farewell, Dave accompanied us back to Moeder Lambic where it had to be more L’amer des Moeder’s. It was soon time for Dr. Stan to take his leave, Dave was up for more.
The nightcap was another Kriek. The 7.0% Kriek de Ranke (de Ranke, Belgium) was vom Fass and suitably Sour, Superb. It was after midnight, somehow sense prevailed, or was the Pub closing? The outside seating was stacked up beside us, we took the hint.
Back to Hotel Aviation and a good sleep, the wide open windows did help to cool the room. Altbier tomorrow.
The Brewery and Bars visited today:
Brasserie Cantillon – 56 Rue Gheude, Brussel
Moeder Lambic – 8 Place de Fontainas, Brussel
Cafe Delirium – Impasse de la Fidélité 4A
Toone – Impasse Schuddeveld and the Impasse Sainte Pétronille, Brussel
Le Poechenellekelder – Rue du Chêne, 5, 1000 Brussel