Bruges & Christmas Beers

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Bruges & Christmas Beers

Bruges & Christmas Beers

2 - 4 December 2006

Arblaster & Clarke began escorting tours to taste the specialist beers of Belgium in 1988. We were, and remain, intrigued by the many idiosyncratic styles, including Kriek (cherry beer), lambic (wild fermentation) monastic Trappist ales, wheat beers traditional Flanders dark beers, experimental or celebration ‘one offs’ and seasonal beers, such as the Christmas beers we’ll taste.

We are based in the beautiful medieval city of Bruges famous for its Flemish architecture, cobbled streets and canals. There will be free time to explore, visit the Christmas Market and eat real Belgian chocolates. Our base is a very comfortable, canal-side hotel a short stroll to many good restaurants.

Our guide is Tim Webb, author of the The Good Beer Guide to Belgium, he will host a comparative tasting, (just like we do on our Champagne Weekends). We’ll also explore the beer cafés around Bruges, undoubtedly ending up at the famous pub 'Brugs Beertje'.

We’ll visit several artisan breweries including the Westvleteren Trappist’s café, De Dolle Brouwers (the Mad Brewers) and Liefmans in Oudenarde, famous for their Goudenband and rich dark Kriek. We finish the tour at the Hommelhof restaurant, where superb dishes are prepared often with beer to accompany the many beers on their list. Belgian beer is a rich subject and this tour is a great introduction to it.