Beer in Bruges

Planning a trip to Belgium in September and top of my agenda is consuming a diverse array of quality Belgian brews.

My question is, is Bruges as good a place as any to do this? It%26#39;s not just about interesting beers, interesting places in which to drink is just as important. Does Bruges provide this? Is there another city you feel provides a more interesting experience?

My concern is I tend to be slightly turned off by overly tourist areas. However good the beer is I feel my experience would be ruined if there was an element of fakeness, would this be a massive concern in Bruges.

Cheers guys.

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Not sure I fully follow your question, but if you are worried about enjoying yourself in a touristy place, why not go to Antwerp or Leuven or any number of other places?

Just as attractive, but without the busloads of day-trippers.

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Don%26#39;t worry about fakeness, although a v.popular tourist destination the majority of bars have a very authentic feel, and inded, are authentic.

There are many great bars in Bruges which I%26#39;m sure will get your seal of approval after you visit.

Many have been recomended on these forums many times, check out Cambrinus, Dd Garre, The half Maan Brewery.

Most of the bars on the main square charge through tho nose, the exception being Craenenberg, a great bar popular with tourists and locals.

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Forgot to mention.

If authentic is your thing make sure you give the Irish bar a wide berth, I%26#39;ve no idea why anyone would visit Bruge and then eat or drink in a plastic Irish bar..steer clear.

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These are my favourite bars in Bruges - they are popular but I wouldn%26#39;t say touristy

Brug%26#39;s Beertje (Bar), Kemelstraat 5 - 300 types of beer, busy, fun mixture of locals and visitors

De Kuppe, 19 Kuipersstraat - Leffe and Hoegaarden on tap plus 100 or so other beers - sometimes have music in the evening - good solid bar/pub atmosphere!

De Garre, De Garre 1 (down a little alley between off Breidelstraat near the Markt) - a little difficult to find but well worth it. A fantastic bar with an excellent choice of beers, including their own on tap, and good service. Also do a great plate of cheese and mustard!

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I can highly recommend the book %26quot;Around Bruges in 80 beers%26quot;. It has proved invaluable to us and there is a new version just out.

Piglet:-)

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Cheers guys, I%26#39;ll look into the places mentioned.

So is Bruges a good place for beer then? For example, if someone was coming to the UK and wanted to drink quality beer, I%26#39;d recommend against certain cities. Is there a similar situation in Belgium?

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Not as far as I know. I don%26#39;t see the dead hand of monopolistic breweries preventing locals ales from thriving. And its not as if there are huge transportation distances for the beer....

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A friend based a two week beer trip out of Brugges and we joined her thewre for a couple of nights. I second Piglet-get the %26quot;Around Bruges in 80 Beers%26quot; book and also consult Tim Webb%26#39;s newest guide. Two of the top 5 beer bars in the world are in Brugges. It was great!

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Most of the tourist go and the evenings are wonderful. Lots off good pubs and bars.

You%26#39;ll have a great time. Beer, beer, beer everywhere.

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Beer, beer, beer everywhere sounds perfect.

Cheers all.