Cantillon Brewery/Museum

September 21, 2008
Yes, it’s a must. When I go again, I’ll hand around trying more of their beers if I can, and buy all of them to take out. You can’t find a lot of this stuff otherwise, and if you do you’ll pay more even in Brussels. Visited in Sept. 2005.

September 5, 2008
What can say about that fantastic experience, what about all those funky casks, the legendary fermentation vessel, the kindness of the Van Roy family? Unforgettable.

September 3, 2008
Visited here late July 2008. We actually arrived on a Saturday morning before the brewery was open. The tour (self conducted) is fab, probably about as traditional or as authentic as you’re likely to get, and much like De Dolle in that respect. Jean Paul showed us the Fume Foune casks (spelt wrong I expect) and removed the slot of wood on the top of the cask so we could marvel at the fermentation going on and the huge amount of apricots sat in that lambic. I had an amusing conversation with Jean Paul whereupon I wanted to try the Faro which I notice was there for tasting on the blackboard, he woud’nt let me have one and insisted that I try his other Lambics, I obviously hadn’t made it clear to him that I wanted to try the Faro as it apopears difficult to get anywhere else, and besides Jean Paul just spoke of the superiority of the other products. Managed to get a bottle of the Lou Pepe Geuze despite it not offially being on sale, I cheekily eariwgged another conversation whereupon another Brit had come to get just that beer. This is truly a great brewery and wonderful experience.

July 7, 2008
I think this is a must if you are Brussels, even if you are not fond of Lambics (although that is crazy talk). The walk through tour is great - you get a booklet/guide, get to go at your own pace through most of the brewery and get a nice sample to quench your thirst after the walking - and the staff are all friendly and kind. Although they only have one brand its a good one and this is the cheapest place to buy it - plus they frequently have their more difficult bottles in stock. Walking out it makes you wish that there were more family run hand-crafted breweries around - Cantillon has an old soul and that is something that is missing in many beer places.

June 5, 2008
Back to an earlier day. They do have electricity, but the human effort seems quite intense. Amazing that the ale is available so widely, when the brewery seems so small. Walking in made me think about how long they must have been operating in their caves. It’s not far from Midi/Zuid, so it’s a must walk if you get off there.

May 19, 2008
A place to be. It’s a living museum where you can learning how the naturals beer are made. They are the survivor off the browery industrial crisis.

May 18, 2008
Old old brewery in a tiny little dark colored building. It was a blast to see where this beer comes from, they definitely do it from the old methods. Cool to see and walk through. Not much for tasting, and not much available here in bottles though so don’t hold out hopes for any old gems... oh and you will definitely see this is a major tourist point.

May 17, 2008
Awesome. The self-guided tour was of great interest, especially the barrel store and fermenting vessels. The building was atmospheric to walk around, with its dark corners, cobwebs and mustiness. Had an interesting chat with Jean-Pierre Van Roy and his wife over a few beers - they gave me a faro on the house. One of the great beer destinations.

May 15, 2008
I can’t really describe how great this place was. It was everything I imagined.. down to the cats. I did the self-guided tour, took some wonderful pictures, oogled the hundreds of bottles & barrels. Ran into some people from somewhere in the states & had a few beers with them. Go here.

May 13, 2008
What more could you ask for. This place is pure magic. Ugly outside, the second you step inside its like paradise. Barrels *everywhere*, old bottles along the walls. I saw Jean giving a tour, unfortunately in Flemish, so we couldn’t really join in. I shook his hand later, though :) Sampling the stuff fresh from bottles is great, too. Unfortunately they had nothing rare when we were there.