Only had a few days in Brussels/Bruges but I really liked:
- Cantillon
- Moeder Lambic
- Bierbrasserie Cambrinus in Bruges
- Herberg Vlissinghe in Bruges - Not a million beers but had a good selection, very good food and was just a cool atmosphere.
Easy to get between Brussels and Bruges, just a 1 hr train ride. We stayed in Brussels at the Ibis right by Grand Place, close to the Centraal train station and close to pretty much everything. Nothing fancy about the place but was a great location, well run and newer. Felt like the Ikea of hotels.
To do over I'd have stayed in Bruges and visited Brussels or with more time done a few days in Bruges and a day in Brussels. I just liked the feel of Bruges a bit more, easy to get off the beaten path and find some cool stuff. Sure it can be like that in Brussels too but it was a lot more 'big city' with most places packed with people.
If you happen to be in photography one of my favorite things on the trip was a photo tour in Bruges.
http://www.phototourbrugge.com/ Only 1 guy does the tour and Andy was terrific. Was very fun seeing the 'off the main path' stuff with him. He also had tons of great recommendations, like Herberg Vlissinghe, that I'd have certainly have missed. I was there in March which is certainly off peak and on a Monday so it was just me, my wife and him walking around the town.