Buying Belgian Ale in Belgium

someanonbloke

Hi, later in May I'm going for a few days to Belgium. I want to bring back a few crates of Belgian ale at the end of the trip before I get back on the ferry at Calais. Has anyone got any good tips on how to do this? I read that there are Carrefours in Belgium and so I'm guessing they'll have the best prices, but are there other places/regions which have more variety? Thanks in advance.

benjus

The big brands should be available everywhere (Orval is my favourite). Proxy Delhaize had good prices (better than Carrefour), although I didn't do much shopping around.

There are some touristy shops in places like Bruges with massive selections, although probably not cheap (can't remember tbh). If you're visiting any breweries you can of course buy there (I recommend Cantillon in Brussels).

Are you after anything specific?

totallybored

There is a huge Carrefour on the outskirts of Bruges and another next to the motorway as you go round Antwerp with big selections if that helps (Google Carrefour Planet bruges and I think the other one is in a place called Burcht - I prefer the Bruges one but the other is fine). Beware of the deposit on bottles if you're buying crates - I can't remember the name for it but from what I can work out the crates have bottles you're meant to take back. You can buy smaller packs of bottles that don't seem to have the deposit.

someanonbloke

I'm not after anything specific, just a variety and budget of course.

Thanks for responses.

Kernow666

carrefour for sure , in brussels there are a load of speciality shops but a lot more money ok if your after something in particular but if just a general selection then the supermarket is best

Parisien

Does anyone know which supermarket chain in Belgium carries Belgian Rochefort Trappiste beer, especially nearest the French border heading for Calais? Unless you can get it cheaper on the French side!

Thanks

P

dunx

The large, specialist beer-sellers (warehouse scale) have competitive prices and great ranges. They are very likely to stock the Rochefort beers. Those close to the Lille - Dunkerque motorway are:
Vanuxeem at Ploegsteert
http://www.vanuxeem.com/vanuxeem/en/6995-our-shops.html

Noel Cuvelier at Abele
Nevejan Drankcentrale at Krombeke
http://www.simpson.uk.com/beers/Belgium/BeerShops.htm

In Poperinge, Delhaize supermarket has a good range - I think Rochefort is amongst them. The supermarket is on Ieperseweg, the N308 running east from the centre.

Happy hunting / drinking.

Cheers,

Dunx

Parisien

Thanks for that Dunx, if only they listed prices to maximise my savings!


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Parisien

A link within a link ink from your post which lists a huge range and prices...Rochefort, just over 1/2 price what you can get them in UK, brill!


http://www.brasseriescaillet.be/


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dunx

Yep, pretty good prices. Remember that you will have to pay a deposit on each bottle and for the crate - which creates a good reason for going back again when you've drunk it all!

Comparitive prices from the Delhaize (online) site, for single bottles, excluding the deposit:
Rochefort 6 - €1.35
Rochefort 8 - €1.52
Rochefort 10 - €2.09
I'd guess the prices would be similar in their supermarkets

Good luck,

Dunx