Grand Place/Grote Markt and Booze

Belgium is a beer country. There are at least 750 different Belgian beers. The Belgians take their beer seriously. An amber brew served in a glass chalice is not unusual here; it's the way its supposed to be served. Each beer, from each brewery (or brasserie) has it's own glass. Even the Religious here are known for their beers. Seven Trappist monasteries (6 in Belgium and one in the Netherlands) produce beer and the quality is under strict control.

The first weekend of September, for the past 11 years at least, is the time for a huge Beer Weekend at Grand Place/Grote Markt in Brussels. Grand Place is, more or less, at the center of the old city of Brussels. The Hotel de Ville (City Hall) is located there as well as the Maison des Brasseurs (Brewers' House). It's as European as you can get.

There were 30 stalls for brewers and I don't know how many different types of beers, all served in their own glasses. I went over this afternoon (Sunday, 4 September), bought six crown corks for 6 euros and went on in. I'm not sure why a Dixieland Band was there, but there was a Dixieland Band doing its thing. Lots of people from different parts of the world, even America...and I wanted to yell at this one American woman (nah, girl, she was a girl) who, while trying to move through the mass of people, was asking in the most obnoxious valley-girl shrill "excuse me." I was offended for my people.

Anyway, I enjoyed two beers. (Yeah, I should have had more, but I'm here for 8 months, I'll get to more I promise.) An Orval (a Trappist beer, amber in color, and served in a chalice shaped glass) and a Blance de Bruxelles (a basic pilsner, I presume). I liked the Orval better, it was also more expensive.

Now, I know what you're asking (or maybe, or maybe just if you've been to the Brew Pub and/or City Steam) did I take a glass? Well, I considered it, but didn't. Good thing, because on the way out your bag was checked. Unlike in the US, though, they didn't look in my bag. The guy at the gate kind of did the high school male physical check of the bag. I was waiting for him to ask me to cough....

Anyway, after paying .30 euro to pee (some payed the attendant after they used the loo, I decided to pay as I went in) it was back home for a strong cup of tea. Those beers were strong and, sadly, not a frites (fries) shop in sight. The fries here are excellent. They double fry them so the outside is crispy and the inside is soft. I haven't tried straight mayo (MG, remember when I made fun of you for eating fries with mayo....) but I love the andalouse sauce. (A "spicy thousand island" I was told.)

Tomorrow begins my first full week here. I'll go to apply for my residency permit in the morning...that should be interesting. Then some other odds and ends. Tuesday marks my first day at the archive.