This morning we got up well rested. We had a nice little breakfast at the hotel, then headed out to get an early start. We were going to take the subway to the Brussels south station because it would have been too far to walk, but we didn't have enough Euros. And most of the machines now take those chip cards so we had to get cash out of the ATM. A word of advice to anyone traveling, get a credit card with a chip in it and learn the PIN number. Anyway, we made it to the train station and picked up our rental car. The crazy thing about renting a car in the a big city is that you really don't have a lot of time to figure out where you are. You just pull out of this underground garage and bam, you're in crazy traffic not knowing which direction you are going. I was frantically trying to get the GPS to work since it still thought we were in the US. We narrowly missed getting hit by a tram and people were honking at us to turn into the taxi lane. It was a bit stressful. But finally we got the address and we figured out where we were going. And after a bit, we made it to Lindemans brewery outside of Brussels. We were so excited!
Unfortunately, we had our time all wrong, because of the time change, and were there an hour early, lol. Luckily the tour guide came in early for us. Nestor, our tour guide, took us on a 3 hour tour (which was supposed to be just an hour, we thought), showing us every detail of the brewery, regaling us with anecdotes, and introducing us to the brewmaster, Peter.
Brewmaster Peter, our wonderful guide Nestor, and Scott
It was so cool to be the only ones there getting to see this very old brewery with their unique brewing methods. We even got to see a batch being brewed, and Peter pulled out the hydrometer to measure the gravity for us. We learned about how the beer is left out in the air to naturally cool and attract the yeast in the air overnight with the windows open, and that they can only brew October through May because the summer bacteria would kill the beer. We saw where they bottled everything and the warehouse where the bottles and kegs were waiting to be shipped all over the world. Then after, we had our own private tasting, he opened about 6 bottles that probably would have cost $50 in America. I have a new favorite, Faro. We aren't sure where to find it in America but we know it is distributed there. It is flavored with Belgian candy sugar. We bought 3 bottles, two Lindemans glasses, and some coasters for only 10 euros! What a steal! I still can't believe they make enough beer in that small place to serve the entire world's demand.
The boil kettle doing the sparge. It smelled so good.
The coolship where the filtered beer sits in the open overnight to attract those special natural air yeasts.
Beer waiting to ship locally and to America.
After the beer tour, we drove to Rochefort, but we got here too late to really do any sightseeing. The weather was extremely windy all day and rainy off and on. We think it is from the bad storm that has hit Great Britain in the south. Hopefully it won't mess up that leg of our trip.
Anyway, we walked around town a little and then had a fancy schmancy meal at the hotel dining room. It was a 4 course meal and I thought I was going to pop. I ate some things Scott never thought I would eat. When in Europe...
Our hotel is a quaint old building and we are in this tiny room with a view of the garden terrace. It has a lot of character, reminds me of a bed and breakfast in the country. There are stuffed bunnies and bears in the room, lol!
Our quaint little room with stuffed bunnies.
Everyone here speaks French, and only one lady speaks English, so she had to help us understand the items on the menu. She was very cute, excited to find out where we were from. She told us that everyone over here wants to go to New York or Miami, and maybe California. But she wants to go to Montana one day, she said crossing her fingers and hopeful. Too cute!
Tomorrow, we get up early and drive to another brewery and our next town where we will stay for 2 nights. Bon soir!
