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This thread is provided to discuss DrJohn's article Beer Destination - Bruges[/url:168ax5fo].

I'd also heartily recommend ’t Brugs Beertje. A group of four of us went to Bruges in... Actually I can't remember! I think it was about 4-5 years ago. Anyway, we planned it as a beer trip, just four lads (including n1mbus/Kieron), and as I had done my research ’t Brugs Beertje was on the list as well as Café Vlissinghe, reputedly the oldest bar in Bruges (since 1515!). One of the things we said we'd try to do was to never drink the same beer twice and, I'm almost embaresed to admit, we made out tasting notes (small slips of paper with headings for appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel etc) to force us to think about the beers we were trying and for a bit of fun.

When we found ’t Brugs Beertje on our first night we were herded to a table at the back and given a menu that was a bit like a scrap book. It was great, and the range of beers was excellent. We were served by the owner (Daisy?) who disappeared to the cellar after each order and appeared as if by magic with the beer and the correct glass. I can't remember how many we had, but the tasting notes certainly got more verbose as the night went on. We also ordered some snacks; salami, cheese, pickeled onons and really hot mustard, which she didn't charge us for at the end of the night. I'm convinced she thought we were professional beer tasters or working for a magazine or something <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> We went in there a couple more times and she was always very welcoming. I'd love to go back!

We thought that Bruges was a good place for couples as it was fairly quiet in the evenings. I think it was spring when we were there, and as DrJohn describes, it was packed with tourists during the day. It is definitely picturesque with some lovely architecture, and I think a kind of sad past as it was a thriving trade town till it got cut off from the sea, and essentially became a back water. But maybe it remained unchanged for years because of that, and that's what lends it such charm.

Brugge is a beautiful town. Beautiful buildings, nice people, good food, good beer.

It is a really relaxed place, so if you are into just wandering through the, substantially pedestrianised, cobblestone streets and finding interesting places for a relaxed bite to eat and a drink, this city is for you.

The places listed are top notch beer bars, but note that you can't actually find a café without a beer menu. Sit down anywhere that serves coffee and you will be able to get a decent beer.

I was in Brugge a few years ago. ’t Brugs Beertje has a great relaxed atmosphere and I've never been anywhere with such an impressive beer list.

Another highlight for me was visiting the Straffe Hendrik brewery which is a small traditional brewery in the town - I can't remember the street its on but you can look it up. You can go on a tour which is guided by one of the brewers who are of course very knowledgable. They had an old piece of equipment for rapidly cooling the wort after the boil which was a big copper sheet that the hot wort flowed out over - it was huge. They don't use it any more though I suppose for sanitation reasons. Was interesting though.

We should organise a weekend away; all in the interests of research, of course.