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Discover your trail on this theme
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 As an ambassador for Belgium, that king of pleasure – chocolate – appears adorned in all its glory in the shop windows of the craftsmen of chocolate-making. Lined up like trophies, the famous ‘pralines’ (individual filled chocolates) can be found in every display window, whether in the form of ‘Manons’, with ‘ganache’ (chocolate cream), praline, marzipan or nougatine filling, or even raised to new heights with pieces of walnut or filled with hazelnuts.
Master chocolate-makers have also ventured into more exotic ranges, deliciously combining the flavours of different teas, cardamom, ginger, violet or jasmine with the chocolate. These little delicacies are there to be enjoyed as a subtle pleasure and choosing one of them in a little box is always tantamount to one of the nicest moments of gustatory anticipation there is.
Other craftsmen of confectionery, for their part, prepare cakes, truffles and ‘mendiants’ (almonds, dried figs, hazelnuts and raisins) for exquisite sensations. Is it even necessary to remind people that some of them have won the title of world champion and that others are the official purveyors to the royal court?
Finally, to just melt with pleasure, go to the area around the Grand-Place and try ‘spéculoos’, traditional, light, crispy biscuits, there.
On this gourmet trail, real connoisseurs will also be able to take a break or two wherever our famous beer is to be found. Brown, blond, special or fruity, it’s everywhere and, like chocolate, is prepared and enjoyed with great expertise.
Happy Tasting!
Practical information
Museum to visit
Museum of Cocoa and Chocolaterue de la Tête d’Or 9-11 – 1000 Tel.: +32 (0)2 514 20 48 www.mucc.be |
Breweries to visit
Cantillon -Brussels Museum of Gueuze
 Rue Gheude, 56 1070 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)2 521.49.28 www.cantillon.be Welcome to this family brasserie-brewery, the only one of its kind in Brussels, a living museum of Gueuze, Kriek, and many other spontaneously-fermented beers produced on site. Here, nothing’s changed for centuries: the welcome is hearty and the brewing trade is in full swing! Tours, tastings of the firm’s own Gueuze-Lambic and organisation of public beer-making demonstrations. |
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The Brewers of Brussels’ Grand-Place
Rue de la Colline, 24 1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)2 511 20 20 www.brasseurs-brouwers.be
On the Grand-Place, in a famous 17th-century baroque house, this tiny brasserie-brewery serves its 6 beers brewed on site: blond, amber-coloured, Kriek, Triple, white or brown, to be enjoyed in small glasses or in a ‘giraffe’ (tall glass) (2.5 l)! Guided tour on request. |
| Belgian Brewers’ Museum - Maison des Brasseurs
Grand’ Place, 10 1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)2 511 49 87 www.beerparadise.be
On the most beautiful town square in the world, the “high-technology” production of today’s beer, in sound and pictures, since the 18th century. Tasting of a “surprise” Belgian beer in the prestigious setting of the Maison des Brasseurs (Brewers’ House), which dates from 1695. |
Schaerbeek Museum of Beer
Avenue. Louis Bertrand, 33-35 1030 Brussels Tel.: +32 (2) 215 01 78 http://users.skynet.be/museedelabiere
Go back in time to the 19th century and discover all the secrets involved in making Belgian beers! Don’t miss: a surprising collection of 1000 bottles, 800 glasses and period signs and posters. Exclusive tasting of the “schaerbeekoise”, an abbey beer brewed exclusively for the museum. |
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