SH9-10 sep26 23/9/08 16:41 Page 56
knowledge beer
ttglive.com
Belgium
Top of the hops
If there’s one thing Belgium is more famous for than
chocolate, it’s beer. David Sandhu sinks a few pints in
Medieval Bruges, the capital of West Flanders
D
uring lunch in the heart more than enough steps to work
of Bruges, our waiter up a thirst as you’re shown the
joked: “Belgium beer way traditional brewing methods
is about to conquer the evolved over the years – every-
world.” And, to prove it, he thing you ever wanted to know
showed us a well-thumbed copy about malt and hops (but were
of The Economist with an article about afraid to ask). And, finally, you’re
InBev of Belgium bidding rewarded with a roof-top panorama
$46 billion for Budweiser. over Bruges’s quaintly historic town
But, following a remarkably quick centre.
early-morning journey (two hours 20 De Halve Maan has a long and proud
minutes) on Eurostar, we were far less history in Belgium beer-making. A brewery
interested in global corporate takeovers has been on this site since 1564, until
than a few decent pints at the De Halve Leon Maes took over in 1856 and set
Maan (The Half Moon) – Bruges’s about creating a “modern” brewery.
famous brewery and museum (left). The beer soon evolved from a
The daily guided tours here involve sourish brew with limited durability
UMEA
*
RIGA
BRUSSELS,
YOUR GATEWAY TO EUROPE
BASEL
SNBGEN09576_ADV2_143x230_QE 1 23-09-2008 17:11:34 Travel_Trade_Gazette_wake_up_230_143.ps 1 6.8.2008 9:24:50 Uhr
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