Went over yesterday and filled up the boot with a load.
Started of in the French hypermarket Auchan - you can buy 500ml cans of German lager for 35c - and to think that the British government think increasing the price of booze here will reduce binge drinking
Then went on to a beer shop called Cuveliers in Poperinge just over the Belgian border, this place is absolutely fucking awesome. Its a farm shop, but instead of selling the usual bollocks like eggs, honey etc one of the outbuildings has been converted into a beer paradise selling 300 or so different bottles. You can pick up some weird and wonderful Belgian beers for 1-1.5 euros each! I now have a shed full and will be tucking in over the coming weeks
Went on to Ypres and managed a couple of litres of the local lager and half a roast chicken and chips for about 10 pounds
Then visited the first world war memorial in the town - did you know that at eight o clock every night they play the last post as a tribut to the war heroes and have done since the 1920's - what a lovely tribute. Makes you think when you look up at the 50k names on the walls and see soldiers with your surname - brings it home.
On the route back we stopped at Westvleteren. This place is one of the few remaining Trappist breweries in the World. The beer the monks brew is not available to buy commercially - only at the monastery. It just so happens that the beers are also considered the best in the World. So how could I resist the monasterys own cafe selling these beers - and there are only three types - tried all of them - and they are something else.
Was funny to see a group of cyclists, looking like they were lost on the Tour de France arriving for a few of these 12% beers - should think the ride home was interesting
The funniest thing about the monastery is that if you want to buy this beer by the crate you have to jump through hoops. Firstly you have to phone the monastery during a two hour period once a week, usually a Monday. Then you have to give the monks your details, car reg etc and they tell you when you can come and collect it. You are only allowed one crate of 24 per month and you have to promise the monks that you will not sell it on
Its amazing really in this day and age that this still happens, the monks resist going commercial and making a fortune and sell only enough to keep the monastery intact. Suppose this is what adds to the mystery and you feel there is something amazing about getting your hands on this beer.Anway, well worth a visit for anyone who lives a reasonable distance from the channel - its a long day but you can pick up some beers that would set you back 4 pounds or so each in Bierodrome on Upper Street for much less.
Even better day when you get back to the UK and here about our second half turnaround - well done boys
Cheers
