France has wine, Belgium has beer. Since the Middle Ages, Belgium has been perfecting the art of brewing and has developed literally thousands of different varieties and styles; such as Dubbel, Tripel, Lambic, Kreik, Trappist (and the list goes on). In the 1800’s, much of the water in Brussels was polluted, so beer, containing alcohol, which preserved the liquid and killed the bacteria, was a welcomed substitute.
Since then, beer has become a vital part of their culture and even religion. Several Belgian monasteries continue to produce beer to finance their churches and charities. But don’t envision men in robes with bald patches stirring cauldrons of wort. Even though the operations continue on holy grounds, it is done with state of the art equipment and staff who are not members of the cloth.
Of all the beer styles produced in Belgium, there is no better place to drink it than at the source. But, since that would take you all over the country, your second best bet is in Brussels. Although their two national languages are French and Dutch, many of the locals speak English. The beer bars are more like cafés, where you can get something to eat while you drink (the food in Belgium is fantastic as well). Many of the restaurants offer a house beer, as well as other Belgian options.
With many Belgian beers claiming the title of “best beer in the world”, Brussels is a great place to go hunting for it!
See Zane Lamprey visit to Brussels on Three Sheets
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Ugh. Brussels? That’s disappointing. Zane said in his defense of the list that this list was about Cities, not countries. Brussels has 2 breweries. Also the whole blurb about Brussels is actually about Belgium, not Brussels specifically. Sure you can get hundreds of Belgian beers in Brussels, but there are hundreds of Belgian beers available here in Portland, and a couple of decent beer stores here with 1400+ beers available. I’ll take Munich for #1, I’ve sunk a few das boots there, but Brussels. Ugh.
I went to Brussels for a week and have to say that I agree with Zane. Brussels is one of the best Cities for Beer.
John Lovegrove has probably never been to Brussels. What an American Idiot by saying that he can Belgian beers in Portland. I am sure that he can get German beers or what ever beers he wants. I can get Portland beers anywhere. i can tell you for Certain that the Belgian Beers are much more fresher and getting a Belgian Beer on Draught is like nothing else..If you go to Brussels try only Belgian Beers. You will certainly do a disservice if you get anything but a True Belgian Beer.
UGH…. john REALLY ??
John sounds like one of these new-school craft beer people who think the US makes the best beer in the world. Anyone who has been around the beer scene for longer than a few years and has a refined pallet through lots of tasting knows that Belgium makes the best beer in the world. AND, Brussels is indeed the best place to go for it unless you want to travel around to each abbey for yourself.
I also guess it’s fair that Germany got the top spot considering Oktoberfest but very few people enjoy lagers on the whole. They are watery and lack much taste. The BEER in Germany doesn’t come close to standing up to Belgium but the events in Germany do because Belgium has nothing like Oktoberfest.