Can't smoke..Next best thing??

fishingbouchman

New member
Smoker is cleaned and waiting for my return. Did all the best local and close by attractions/site seeing last time I was here (Netherlands). What to do now? I know...Beer.

Quick search on the net and find this...

top 50 beers in the world - ratebeer best 2012
Beer Ranking
Westvleteren XII 1st
Rochefort Trappistes 10 5th
Westvleteren 8 8th
Top Beers - Popular - BeerAdvocate
Westvleteren XII 2nd
Westvleteren 8 17th
Rochefort Trappistes 10 23rd

Looked up Westvleteren and find the abbey consists of some thirty Trappist monks (Abbey of Saint Sixtus). The only way to get this award winning beer is in person at the abbey and you have to make reservations…and how does one reserve beer?

1. Log onto their web page for an Up-to-date Information regarding when reservations will be accepted, for which beer (Only do blond, 8, or 12 and only what they have on hand for that date), and how much beer can be reserved at any one time. 2 cases is all you are allowed.
2. At the time indicated, call the Trapist using the beer phone number (that just sounds cool)
3. Then you can make an appointment (date and time) with the beer phone operator (sounds like a cool job), providing the license plate number of the car which will be used to pick up the order. The car used will not be able to pick up beer again for 6 months.
4. Sampler sets (one blond, one 8, and one 12) can be purchased without any reservations. Allowed to purchase two samplers (6 pack). No reservations needed. Available until sold out.

I have nothing going on and the sampler sounds good (reservation line was busy all day so no case for me). TomTom lead the way. Through some farm land on a small one lane road where my little European car can barely fit. TomTom, you sure this is the way as we just about get run over by a combine harvesting grain. Three hours after we left Eindhoven, from behind the grain and corn fields appears the abbey.
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We parked the car and walked up to the Monk selling beer. We only sell it by car. You need to get back in your car and get in line. OK.
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Even the bike riders have to get in line.
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Guess the monks have some renovations that they need to pay for. To make some extra cash they are going to release a 6 pack of the XII with two glasses in the states. But the special packs are available now at the abbey. So I picked up my 6 pack of the mix and the special pack.
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The Monk tells us not to let the beer get above 30 degrees. So I spent the next 15-20 minutes circling the parking lot looking for shade. Finally someone pulls out and I grab their spot. Across from the abbey was a café offering Westvleteren. Had me a glass of the XII.
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Pretty good stuff but the best in the world…. Held back from sampling the blond and 8 as I was driving and figured I would behave.

Came back to work and one of the guys was showing me a web site where the special pack was going for $300 bucks. Why did I only bring my small suitcase? Couple more 6 packs and I could get some serious BBQ goods.

Buy Online At Belgian Shop !- The Sint-Sixtus brewery beers shipped globally from Belgium

Get back to the apartment and the local grocery store has the Rochefort Trappistes 10 on the shelf. Picked up a bottle and it is in the fridge now waiting for me to return from work.

Still drooling as I look through all the your posts but at least I have a good beer in my hand.
 

SmokinSteiny

New member
I listened to a Podcast like a month ago on Trappist's beers, they where talking about the same place if I remember correctly pretty sure they even had the phone conversation recorded too. LOL Pretty cool to see you post about it. They brought up one that is available in the states called Chimay Chimay Grande Reserve (Belgium) 750ML - Liquorama They say it's pretty good stuff.....



OH, BTW, The Podcast that featured this was "99% Invisible" and it's episode 55 "The Best Beer in the World"
 
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muebe

New member
Man what a great experience! Fine beers are one of my guilty pleasures!

I buy Chimay from BevMo. This is my favorite beer.

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It is fantastic beer.

I also love Dogfish Head. The Midas Touch they make is made from the ingredients they analyzed from a bowl believed to have been used to drink beer. Some believe the Tomb belonged to King Midas because of all the gold found in it. Guys at Dogfish Head used the ingredients to brew a beer and came up with Midas Touch.

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Also have a bottle of Utopias on hand ;)

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fishingbouchman

New member
Last time I was in the Netherlands I was watching something about Dogfish Head. Been wanting to give them a try for sure.

Gave the Rochefort Trappistes 10 a try last night and this one is not my fav. might have been my mood or what I ate for dinner but I didn't like it. the 8 was pretty good though.
 

Tatonka3A2

New member
Nowadays there are many alternatives to smoking,electronic cigarette is the best one.The electronic cigarette consists of mainly three parts which includes a rechargeable battery, cartridges and an atomizer. Electronic cigarette generate smoke but it is artificial in nature.It is very less harmful.So i think this can be the next best thing if you can't smoke but want to.

AH spaul.... he was talking about smoking FOOD not cigarettes.....
 

muebe

New member
Spaul just happens to have a link at his post signature for electronic cigarettes....

Post smells like spam to me.
 

Swineisdevine

New member
Wow, I'm incredibly jealous at your trip over there. One of my bucket list items is a trip over to Belgium and hit all of the Trappist monasteries that brew...
 

scooter

Moderator
spam deleted and the spammers sent to the big cyber ashtray in cyberspace...
I think the title of the thread attracts them since they were selling electronic cigarettes for those who want to quit smoking.
 

TrickyDick

New member
For all the Belgian Trappist aficionados, chimay has an anniversary offering, with a black label, recently released, and their first new beer in something like 49 years. If I could only hunt some down.

TD
 

muebe

New member
For all the Belgian Trappist aficionados, chimay has an anniversary offering, with a black label, recently released, and their first new beer in something like 49 years. If I could only hunt some down.

TD

Gonna check for that one at BevMo ;)
 

fishingbouchman

New member
Have to look for it on my next trip to holland. Wonder how much beer I could bring back. Maybe make a list from you guys/ galls and could send some your way. The stuff you can't find here.
 
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