[tonyp]

(Hasselt, BELGIUM) – It has been said about Belgian beers that there is a “beer for everyone.” If the popularity it has already found around the world is any indication, Belgian Beer Café is soon going to discover that everyone will be there for a beer when the unique Belgian bar / restaurant concept arrives on American shores.

[dbeechum]

http://www.maltosefalcons.com/blogs/drew-beechum/mass-market-belgian-beer-cafes-open-us

Yeah, I know.. too lazy to cut and paste all of it again.

[phillamb168]

"Dubai's Original"

 

[dbeechum]

Apparently they already have 60 international locations and given the amount of money flowing in and out of Dubai before the worldwide blah, it would be more surprising if they didnt' have a location there.

[phillamb168]

Apparently they already have 60 international locations and given the amount of money flowing in and out of Dubai before the worldwide blah, it would be more surprising if they didnt' have a location there.

Yeah, but Dubai is more McDonald's than McDonald's, if you know what I mean.

[EHall]

Sad part is, they will overcharge for the brews in these shops, especially here in the states... and quite frankly I don't drink these brands anymore... its not the same over here, the quality is lower, its not the same as it was living/getting it there. If one opens up here, I'll go check it out, but my expectations will be low.

[Thirsty_Monk]

60 looks great on spreadsheet.
looks like nice organic growth.

[theoman]

There's some discussion about it going on over here:
http://www.thirstypilgrim.com/2011/09/belgiums-worst-inquire-now-about.html

I tend to agree with what "Darin" had to say.

[phillamb168]

There's some discussion about it going on over here:
http://www.thirstypilgrim.com/2011/09/belgiums-worst-inquire-now-about.html

I tend to agree with what "Darin" had to say.

You always agree with that guy

[dbeechum]

Surprised to see the amount of vitrol on that page for Belgian beers from the author. Sure the "lambics" aren't really true lambics and some of the beers are sweeter than I'd find ideal, but yow.

[BrewingRover]

Surprised to see the amount of vitrol on that page for Belgian beers from the author. Sure the "lambics" aren't really true lambics and some of the beers are sweeter than I'd find ideal, but yow.

Yeah, he definitely didn't make me want to buy his book. I like Kwak, but I guess I've just been fooled by the cool glass.

I'd give the place a try. It may not be as great as a brasserie in Belgium, but it would be better than TGI Fridays

[jamminbrew]

Anything that gets "Joe Sixpack" to try something other that the bland BMC type beers, I'm all for. Granted, BMC is behind all this, but if it gets the average guy (gal) to break out of their comfort zone, expand his palate for something different, and experience what real beer can be like, then I hope it works. I will probably try it out, if they build one near me. I truly love Belgians beers. I hope they serve some of the "true" Belgians, some of the obscure and very tasty beers, not just the mass marketed/mass produced ones.

[theoman]

Surprised to see the amount of vitrol on that page for Belgian beers from the author. Sure the "lambics" aren't really true lambics and some of the beers are sweeter than I'd find ideal, but yow.

He is unusually harsh (he generally is better at playing slightly biased journalist), but I think I understand his frustration. There are some amazing beers and brewers in Belgium that will most likely be (and frequently are) overlooked and overshadowed by the mainstream crap that isn't the best representation of Belgian beer. I personally tend to lean toward what "Darin" said in the blog comments and what theantipunk said here. But, what good is having a blog if you can't rant once-in-a-while?

As an aside, if you ever find yourself in Brussels for a few days, Around Brussels in 80 Beers is an excellent guide (though, unfortunately, already slightly outdated).