Belgian Beer Festival Report

Lads. I have just completed my mission to reconnoitre the Belgian beer festival, and assess it's feasibility as a future venue worthy of a visit from the infamous Bender Squad. I have broken down my findings into sections, and rate them as at the end as a pro, or a con.

Location- A one hour flight from Manchester, a five hour train ride from Leeds, or in the case of Volcanic ash, a seven hour drive, all of which are more than satisfactory. Never mind Brussles, the square it is held in just may be the loveliest of squares in Europe. The festival is sectioned off, but surrounding it are numerous bars with outdoor decking, which also gives you the feeling of being a part of it, even if you fail to gain entry. They also provide excellent drinking opportunities once the beer stops flowing at around 8pm. Off down the side alleys are still more ale dens, that also have special offers, and are a good price. Beware, unless you are Crespo or Shouty, of the one alley running off to the left. You know why... PRO



Beer- The festival itself boasts over 600 different brews, and the local bars are not far behind. Apart from the well known brands, there are cherry and raspberry flavours. Wheat beers served in a bewildering array of glasses, and one called Kwak, which is quaffed from vessel shaped not unlike a miniature yard of ale. And let's not forget those universal names served throughout the world. All available in ginormous 75cl glasses. Two extra large Leffes, and the world is a slightly fuzzier place, for sure. This my friends, is the true beer shangri-la, never mind Germany (Although the Oktoberfest is more fun.)..... PRO

Price- Getting there is cheap enough, I reckon on the train you could get a return ticket for not much more than £120 if you got in quick enough. Accommodation is the same as most places. You get what you pay for, and you can spend as much, or as little as you want. I figure you could get a double for around £80 each for three nights. The beer, as you might expect in the Euro zone, is not cheap. Nor is it ridiculously priced either. For an extra large Jupilier, it was €8, the equivalent of one and a third pints for £6.50. And this is at one of the places right on the Grand Place, so you would expect to pay a premium. Other places off the square were at least a Euro cheaper. The main fly in the ointment is the token scheme in the beer-fest. Beyond the barriers, the only currency accepted is tokens, and the queue to get them was horrendous. So bad that I didn't bother in the end up, as I'd rather spend more time drinking than lining up. Still, if you got there at opening time, 11am, or even earlier, and coughed up for enough tokens, it should see you through the day. It is however a definite CON if you are going solely for the festival. It is turned to a PRO however, by the fact that you don't really need to go in to it to enjoy the whole vibe. PRO

So there it is, a resounding PRO on all counts. Next year is all ready booked up at that time of year, but I would with out hesitation recommend the city of Brussels as a sure fire Bender destination.