an old post from another site.
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 2012Beer Ranking
Westvleteren XII 1st
Rochefort Trappistes 10 5th
Westvleteren 8 8th
Top Beers - Popular - BeerAdvocateWestvleteren 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.
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.
Even the bike riders have to get in line.
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.
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.
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 BelgiumGet 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.
Not bad stuff
