Hellekapelle

One of the things we like to do (well, Rick mostly) when we have a free weekend is to visit different specialty beer bars and/or breweries throughout Belgium. We normally use the beer guide book that I wrote about awhile ago to make our selections. Many of the places we visit are in small towns in the middle of nowhere. We have found, however, that some of the most uninteresting places can have really interesting beer bars. Some of the bars are quirky, some are located in beautiful, old buildings, and some just have great beer lists.

I would put Hellekapelle in the "quirky" if not "bizarre" category. The name means "Chapel of Hell" and it refers to a time when the church saw cafes as covens of debauchery and drunkeness. We took our friends Clive and Maria along with us. They've accompanied us on a few beer bar excursions in the past and they keep coming back for more! Unfortunately, this one was closed when we got there. It was difficult to tell whether it was closed for good, for the summer, or just for the day. Our curiosity was piqued and we drove a long way so we decided to trespass. The bar was located in an old chapel that was next to what looked like a farmhouse. We opened the gate and walked around the property until we saw the entrance. All we had to do was push open the door and we were in! The property didn't look abandoned, but we didn't see anybody there. The decor in this place alone was worth the drive. Although, I think all of us agreed that it was a shame that we couldn't stay for a beer.

Summer BBQ 2008

Chatelain Market

Here are some pictures from my favorite market in Brussels. It happens on Wednesdays from around 2:00pm to around 7:30pm. Ali and I go there almost every Wednesday to buy our produce, olives, cheese, and sometimes bread. Several of the vendors have gotten to know us and are very nice about letting us taste before we buy. In fact, one of the first French phrases Ali learned soon after she arrived in Brussels was "pouvons-nous goûter s'il vous plaît?" -- can we please taste?

As the evening approaches and people get off work, Place Chatelain is transformed into a place to meet for happy hour. The serious shoppers go home and the market stalls that sell beer and wine become packed with people. On nice evenings, the party extends to all of the bar and restaurant terraces on the Place as well as into the streets.

I am a serious shopper so I often go early. On a few occasions, however, I have stayed to have a drink. Unfortunately, Rick's work schedule has only permitted him to go to this market once.

Emilie and Ali

My Favorite Produce Vendor

My Favorite Olive Vendor

My favorite cheese vendor

Obviously, not one of my favorite vendors

Happy Hour Has Begun

Wine and Cheese Party

The "Wine & Cheese Club" is a group of friends who get together every couple of months to socialize and try new wines and cheeses. It began with a few women, including myself, who are abnormally passionate about cheese and who want to try as many different kinds as possible before leaving Brussels. This is a daunting task even for us as Brussels is a cheese-lovers paradise. The sheer amount of French and Belgian cheeses one can indulge in is awesome! Not to mention cheeses from other countries like the Netherlands and Germany. As you can see, this task keeps us very busy.

Of course, you can't have cheese without wine so each person brings a bottle of wine and some cheese to share. The host usually provides a few other snacks, such as olives (that's a whole different topic in and of itself) that go well with cheese. However, these snacks should not outshine the main star of the show---CHEESE :-)

Here are a few pictures from a gathering that I had in May.

There are 2 cheese boards full of cheese and I had not even put all of the cheese out yet!

Stephanie and Elitza (Founders and Executive Directors of the Wine & Cheese Club)

Me and Ali (Co-Directors of the Wine & Cheese Club)

Ena (our neighbor, Ivana's daughter), Emilie, and Maria

Christinia and Ivana