Brussels
 

Beer Mania (new since our last visit) Located just SW of the outer ring in the Ixelles neighboorhood. Nice selection with the bonus ability to taste beers on premises in cafe area at rear of store.  Cheese and sausage plates also available. Owner was a bit taciturn and wanted us to get our nose out of our Tim Webb book... but he warmed up a little...
Tasting Notes:
Mea Culpa
t'Spinnekopte We had been very impressed during our visit in 2003 to this biercuisine eatery.  This time the food seemed a little tired (Lapin ala geuze and Coquilles St Jacques), and the beer list was severely limited.  In place they are offering a beer brewed by the owner (Betchard, at right).  It was an okay blonde.  We also tried Mortal beers for the first time.  Especially the Black was very nice -- with some roasty qualities rarely found in  Belgian.
Delerium Also new since our last visit.  We got lost finding it but well worth the odyssey.  Excellent and extensive beer list, but don't go on Thursday nights when they have live "gigs".  Its crowded and there is a surcharge on all beers! We returned on Sunday night for a second round.  Nice selection of cheeses as well.		Tasting notes: Mortal Beers: a nice new brewery for us.  A bit uneven but we especially liked their dark beers: Black and Christmas. St. Christophe was an absolutely lovely beer.  Strong, sweet but also with some depth. Kapittel Prior was also strong and dark (and would have probably been more impressive before the St. Christophe.) Still very good. And we got to introduce Forinash to a hoppy Choufe Houblon!
Following the "bat-signal" on the side of the Sheraton Hotel to the North, we found our way from Delerium to the THON, which we had booked at a special online 60E per night rate. This is what happens when you check in at 2am.  SUITE! Note: Chris checking Tour de France results. Thomas checking late night schwarma stand purchase results.
	(And this is only ONE of the bathrooms!)

On to Mechelen