BARS AND CAFES AN INTRODUCTION

BEER. Go on admit it! The real reason you go to Belgium is for the beer and you will not be disappointed the range is stunning. There are types of beer you never knew existed, from the Lambics of Brussels area to the red beers of West Flanders, wheat beers, Abbey and Trappist beers, fruit beers, Doubles, triples, blondes and browns the list is endless, try as many as you can. Here are a few of my favourites from around the area, Gentse Triple 8%, Rorenbach Grand Cru 6.5%, Brigant 9%, Jan Van Gent 5.5%. Most bars/cafes have a beer list of at least 10 and some of 100+ yes thats right 100+. Quite a few beers are now been sold on draught as we would call it, look out for Van "T" Vat on the menu or blackboard, they are also a little cheaper  but the quality can some times vary.

 

TYPICAL BREW PUB THIS ONE IS IN THE GROTE MARKT IN THE CENTRE OF BRUSSELS AND THE BREW KETTLES ARE A FEATURE OF THE BAR 

 

 

 

 

ETIQUETTE 

You may wonder what this is all about but there is quite a difference between walking into a British pub and a Belgian bar. When entering a Belgian bar do not go up to the bar and wait to be served just find a table and sit down, study the menu and decide what you are going to drink and wait for someone to come to your table and take your order, you will be served at your table, you maybe asked to pay straight away or if you look like a decent sort of person you may pay when you leave (or have had enough). Language is a very touchy subject in Belgium both Flemish (a version of Dutch) and French are spoken, Gent is in the Flemish region so French is out but all is not lost because most people speak very good English. Good drinking.