Last Night in Belgium
Our last night in Belgium. Despite the rain it’s been another great day. Lots of nooks and crannies to explore in Brussels, and some good beers along the way. Tomorrow… read more.
Welcome to Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project. Pretty Things is an idea, not a brewery. We’d like a brewery, but they cost too much! We are a GIANT company of four people, based in Somerville MA. Twice a week (or so), we drive down to Westport MA and brew our beers at Buzzards Bay Brewery. We bring you beers that are truly of our own making: the recipes, brewing and labels are all done by us. We think that’s why Pretty Things is a little bit magical.
The other reason Pretty Things is a little bit magical, is because of Jack D’Or. Jack is the mournful grain of barley you can see to the left. He is the soul of beer, nature’s magician, creating sugar from starch and bringing together the Pretty Things to produce the substance we adore. One of the most joyful transformations in nature, better than any rabbit from a hat, beer is the result.
Take a look below for news and updates. We also brew historical beers: visit old beers.com for info on those. Cheers from the four of us!
The doors at Maison Des Brasseurs closed in our faces… See you next time!
It *was* closing, but really! Oh we’ll, see you next time brewer’s house.
Velootje! Gent
One of the great and crazy places in the world. Our favorite pub in fact. Last night did not disappoint. As its slowly swallowed by antiques and frankly junk, the… read more.
First visit to Toone in Brussels.
Back in Brussels. Been by A La Mort Subite and now Toone. Looks like there’s a puppet show in a few hours. In the meantime: Cantillon.
Back to Ghent for some beers and some wandering.
Drank Augustijn on draft at Het Waterhuis and wandered the streets eating ridiculous fried things from friteurs. And then came Velootje…!
Leaving Brugge – Ghent here we come.
We’ve had a great time at Hotel Aragon, The Trappiste, Beertje, De Garre, long walks lost… Pretty much a typical and perfect visit.
Van Steenberge today. Home of Gulden Draak.
Truly magical day at Van Steenburge. The brewery has been around since the late 1700′s and still family owned by the 7th generation today. We spent about 5 hours there… read more.
New bar in an 800 year old cellar.
Drinking a Troubadour Magna that tastes like hoppy America in an 800 year old cellar in Brugges. Just another mad beer experience in an ever changing beer culture.
Breaking News: Brugge Still Exists. It Wasn’t A Dream.
Brugge is just as beautiful as we left it. Lunch and a rest now, then we’re off to make the most of it. Yes, we hope to hit all of… read more.
Poperinge Hopmuseum!
It’s a pretty cool thing, a hop museum. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Great old films of the harvest and tools in an old hop storage building.
Another great day.
Okay, I’ll have one more Abt 12 back at the Brouwershuis. Tasting beers from WV and StB in one day is enlightening. That said none of us actually agree, just… read more.
Hommel Bier. At the source.
Strangely obsessed with cheap novelty items at Brouwerij Van Ecke in Watou. Home of Popperings Hommel Bier.
Beautiful pour of Westvleteren 12.
New glassware as well.
Jack makes the most of an opportunity.
Jack is having a Westvleteren. Dann wishes Jack would stop drinking all the beers.
In De Vrede. Starting with the Blond..
In De Vrede. Starting with the Blond..
Trench of Death
Spent the morning entrenched in WW1. Martha found graves from her grandfather’s King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 7th Battalion Rifle Brigade. Then we wandered the “Trench of Death” in Diksmuide.Enough. On… read more.
Brouwershuis in Watou
If you didn’t notice the tank farm, window design or huge stock of St. Bernardus beers in the parlor you’d think you were just staying in a really nice B&B…. read more.
Jack D’Or at De Dolle
Jack D’Or visiting his favorite, De Dolle brewers. Some people have it right. Jack is honored to visit them. Cheers!
De Dolle Brouwerij, Esen
Back at De Dolle. We got a rare tour from Kris and it feels like we never left, yet it’s been seven years since our last visit. Arabier tasting great.