Greetings from Belgium

The Burgomaster · August 14, 2007, 05:31:49 AM

I'll be working here in Belgium (land of great beer

and chocolate) for the next 2 weeks, so I won't be as active as usual in this forum (Internet access from the hotel is ridiculously expensive). However, I will be home before long (probably 20 pounds heavier). There are a few DVD stores in the area. I plan to check them out to see if I can find anything obscure to buy. (Maybe a Belgian zombie flick?????????????????)

dean · August 14, 2007, 05:46:52 AM

Don't die of consumption and hopefully work doesn't get in the way of some good eating, good movies and good fun!

Raffine · August 14, 2007, 07:05:22 AM

ENjoy your trip! If you're in Brussels don't miss the Mannikin Pis.

The Burgomaster · August 14, 2007, 07:29:24 AM

Raffine - Actually, I'm working in Gent (or Ghent, if you prefer). I will only be in Brussels the final night of the trip. But there is PLENTY to do in Gent.

trekgeezer · August 14, 2007, 07:40:33 AM

I was in Belgium once back in 1975. They had good food and beer back then too. Have a good time Burgo!

Dr. Whom · August 14, 2007, 12:19:43 PM

Quote from: The Burgomaster on August 14, 2007, 05:31:49 AM
There are a few DVD stores in the area. I plan to check them out to see if I can find anything obscure to buy. (Maybe a Belgian zombie flick?????????????????)

There actually is one: Rabid Grannies. It was made for Troma, so probably it is easier to get hold of over there than over here.

Ed, Ego and Superego · August 14, 2007, 12:39:43 PM

We used to drink a belgian beer called the Verboden Vruchte in my travellin' student days. (forbidden fruit). It was heady stuff. I'll take two!
-Ed

Torgo · August 14, 2007, 04:55:11 PM

Rabid Grannies is great in a really bad way.

The Burgomaster · August 14, 2007, 05:03:54 PM

I saw RABID GRANNIES on VHS in the U.S. many years ago. I think it is still available in the states on DVD.

Torgo · August 14, 2007, 10:28:29 PM

My mom actually went to Belgium earlier this year with her husband who was on a business trip. She had a blast and yes, she said that the beer was very good.

The Burgomaster · August 16, 2007, 03:20:19 AM

The alcohol content of the beer in Belgium is between 7 and 11% depending on which brand you get. That makes it about 2 to 3 times more potent than American beer. I went to one bar that serves a "yard" of beer in one of those long glasses. (This is my 3rd trip to Belgium and I go to that bar every time I come). When you order this "giant" beer, they make you take off one shoe and they put it in a basket and hoist it to the ceiling. When you finish the beer and give back the glass, they give you back your shoe. We also went to a bar that specializes in flavored gin. You can get a small shot for 2 Euros and a large shot for 3 Euros. They have a huge selection of flavors: vanilla, chocolate, banana, peach, cactus, apple . . . literally dozens of flavors. And they all go down smoooooooothe . . .

Trevor · August 16, 2007, 04:50:29 AM

Enjoy your trip, Burgo!

A friend of mine from Belgium and a regular on the IMDB told me about this Belgian beer called 'Jupiler' which he says is heaven to drink and that is the main reason the Belgians don't export it.

This same friend also told me that I should never drink Heineken beer as it is, according to him, 46% horse pee.

I have never recovered from that.

RCMerchant · August 16, 2007, 05:27:20 AM

If I went to Belguim...I would be dead in a week...or less! (but whatta way to go!)

Have a few for me!

The Burgomaster · August 16, 2007, 09:04:13 AM

Trevor: Jupiler is okay, but there are many Belgian beers that are better. My favorite is Westmalle Trippel. Some other good ones I have had here are Delirium Tremens (with the pink elephant on the bottle), Duvel, Kwak, Gulden Draaken, Leffe Blonde, Jan van Ghent (a local beer from Gent) . . . damn, so many beers, so little time . . .

Oldskool138 · August 16, 2007, 09:13:32 AM

Quote from: The Burgomaster on August 16, 2007, 09:04:13 AM
Trevor: Jupiler is okay, but there are many Belgian beers that are better. My favorite is Westmalle Trippel. Some other good ones I have had here are Delirium Tremens (with the pink elephant on the bottle), Duvel, Kwak, Gulden Draaken, Leffe Blonde, Jan van Ghent (a local beer from Gent) . . . damn, so many beers, so little time . . .

I had some Kwak for the first time when I was in Budapest a couple of years ago! Very, very tasty beer! I have a specialty liquor store in my area that carries it...but I haven't had it in a while. Maybe I'll pick some up this weekend.

You got to tip your cap to the Belgians. They know how to make a tasty beer.

CHEERS!