@daveratkins.bsky.social
Loves great beer, food and travel. Hill walker & trekker. Frequently found in Belgium when not in great UK pubs.
On Sunday had great fun opening 3 old Belgian Christmas Beers I had acquired. They were 75, 49 & 29 years old. The biggest surprise was the 75 year old was very enjoyable, even had some carbonation. The small Kerstbier & magnum were sadly way past their best but were interesting.
December 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
On Sunday had great fun opening 3 old Belgian Christmas Beers I had acquired. They were 75, 49 & 29 years old. The biggest surprise was the 75 year old was very enjoyable, even had some carbonation. The small Kerstbier & magnum were sadly way past their best but were interesting.
By tradition my last beer on my Belgium trips is a Rochefort 10. But since Christmas is approaching I default to an excellent St. Bernadus Christmas. You also get a bonus Christmas Mannekin Pis photo.
December 4, 2025 at 8:14 PM
By tradition my last beer on my Belgium trips is a Rochefort 10. But since Christmas is approaching I default to an excellent St. Bernadus Christmas. You also get a bonus Christmas Mannekin Pis photo.
A beautiful morning here in Brussels and great meal and beer at Les Brigittines. Both the Razor Clams and the Pheasant were excellent as were the 2 Cantillon beers to accompany them.
December 4, 2025 at 1:08 PM
A beautiful morning here in Brussels and great meal and beer at Les Brigittines. Both the Razor Clams and the Pheasant were excellent as were the 2 Cantillon beers to accompany them.
As they have the best Christmas Beer list in town it was back to Poechenellekelder to end the night tonight.
December 3, 2025 at 9:37 PM
As they have the best Christmas Beer list in town it was back to Poechenellekelder to end the night tonight.
Excellent lunch of Scampi and Mussels at Nordzee then over the road for a superb draft Zinnebir in Billie Bar..
December 3, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Excellent lunch of Scampi and Mussels at Nordzee then over the road for a superb draft Zinnebir in Billie Bar..
Another great time at Poechenellekelder drinking Christmas beers, this time with my friends from home.
December 2, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Another great time at Poechenellekelder drinking Christmas beers, this time with my friends from home.
Back in a favourite bar. La Fleur en Papier Doré. Good to meet up with a friend from Stockport for a beer here.
December 1, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Back in a favourite bar. La Fleur en Papier Doré. Good to meet up with a friend from Stockport for a beer here.
Grand Place, Brussels looking great in Christmas celebrations tonight but can see why this years Manger scene is controversial.
December 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Grand Place, Brussels looking great in Christmas celebrations tonight but can see why this years Manger scene is controversial.
Always fun to read other people's views on favourite beer cities.
In Praise of the Beer Town — in my occasional blog for the folks at @geterbrewed.bsky.social I’ve written about what makes a great town beer scene, and for the haters I’ve included my own personal top 10.
www.geterbrewed.com/blog/2025/11...
www.geterbrewed.com/blog/2025/11...
UK Beer Scene - In Praise of the Beer Town - Get Er Brewed Blog
Part of the UK Beer Scene is what Matthew Curtis has dubbed "beer towns", which adds to his list of "the best beer cities in the UK".
www.geterbrewed.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Always fun to read other people's views on favourite beer cities.
More Christmas Beer fun in Poechenellekelder tonight.
November 30, 2025 at 9:15 PM
More Christmas Beer fun in Poechenellekelder tonight.
Another fantastic time at the exceptional Grote Dorst. Great lambic and service await you if you come here. Highly recommended.
November 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Another fantastic time at the exceptional Grote Dorst. Great lambic and service await you if you come here. Highly recommended.
Another enjoyable visit to the excellent 3 Fonteinen Restaurant-Café. Great food and beer as always. And another stamp in the Lambic passport.
November 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Another enjoyable visit to the excellent 3 Fonteinen Restaurant-Café. Great food and beer as always. And another stamp in the Lambic passport.
At Boerenerf. Another great visit to this fantastic blendery drinking their excellent beers.
November 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
At Boerenerf. Another great visit to this fantastic blendery drinking their excellent beers.
Another great night sampling Christmas Beers at Poechenellekelder.
November 27, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Another great night sampling Christmas Beers at Poechenellekelder.
Another excellent meal and beer pairing at Gebrande Winning today. Venison carpachio and 5 year old Orval, Wild Duck with 3F Cuvée La Baronne and cheese plate with De Dolle Stille Nacht 2016. Superb pairings.
November 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Another excellent meal and beer pairing at Gebrande Winning today. Venison carpachio and 5 year old Orval, Wild Duck with 3F Cuvée La Baronne and cheese plate with De Dolle Stille Nacht 2016. Superb pairings.
Now at Kulminator Antwerp. De Dolle Oerbier Reserva 2005 impressed. Stille Nacht Reserva 2010 was superb as was Stille Nacht 2008.
November 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Now at Kulminator Antwerp. De Dolle Oerbier Reserva 2005 impressed. Stille Nacht Reserva 2010 was superb as was Stille Nacht 2008.
Arriving in Antwerp Station always impresses.
November 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Arriving in Antwerp Station always impresses.
Excellent night at Brugs Beertje enjoying Christmas Beers together with @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Excellent night at Brugs Beertje enjoying Christmas Beers together with @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social
Essential research at Brugs Beertje. Comparing Stille Nacht 2025* & 2017***. Both great but very different. 2025 vibrant fresh honey sweet, hints of stone fruit, lovely bitter sweet finish. 2017 is less malty sweet, peach & apricot flavours more developed, more complex & mellow.
November 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Essential research at Brugs Beertje. Comparing Stille Nacht 2025* & 2017***. Both great but very different. 2025 vibrant fresh honey sweet, hints of stone fruit, lovely bitter sweet finish. 2017 is less malty sweet, peach & apricot flavours more developed, more complex & mellow.
At a very festive looking Cambrinus, Brugge enjoying their excellent Flemish Fish Stew and the scampi in garlic butter.
November 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
At a very festive looking Cambrinus, Brugge enjoying their excellent Flemish Fish Stew and the scampi in garlic butter.
An excellent De Dolle evening in Nüetnigenough tonight.
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
An excellent De Dolle evening in Nüetnigenough tonight.
It's been a good time at a very busy Grote Dorst today. Trying a variety of lambic beers as well as some vintage geuze and a rather rare Schaarbeekse Kriek produced in this local village of Eizeringen.
November 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
It's been a good time at a very busy Grote Dorst today. Trying a variety of lambic beers as well as some vintage geuze and a rather rare Schaarbeekse Kriek produced in this local village of Eizeringen.
Now comparing Hop Harvest 2025 from draft (L) and bottle (R) at the De Ranke Taproom. They are both fantastic but the bottle just has the extra fresh hop character.
November 22, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Now comparing Hop Harvest 2025 from draft (L) and bottle (R) at the De Ranke Taproom. They are both fantastic but the bottle just has the extra fresh hop character.
Great to be back at the De Ranke Taproom. Draft Père Noël with the snowy background seems appropriate for the first beer.
November 22, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Great to be back at the De Ranke Taproom. Draft Père Noël with the snowy background seems appropriate for the first beer.
This years De Ranke Hop Harvest 2025 with freshly picked hop cones is tasting superb.
November 21, 2025 at 5:53 PM
This years De Ranke Hop Harvest 2025 with freshly picked hop cones is tasting superb.