8th Feb 08

What:
Belgian Beer Café Brussels

When:
Daily, 11.30am-late

Where:
70 Mary St (cnr Mary and Edward St), city

Contact:
3221 0199

For many years now the relevance of Belgium as a country has been rightly questioned. What does this place really offer to the world at large other than a special type of beer?

Since the days of the Roman Empire, mysterious Belgian brews have been keeping the world running. The Gauls and Romans both drank this mysterious Belgian brew. The process was simple: take a bunch of 11th Century Monks with a penchant for wine making, submerged them in the boredom that is Christianity and this plucky combination will produce you some of the first Belgian beers. And the rest is history as they say.

The City of Brisbane - out of respect for these suffering Monks - decided to build a temple of sorts to recognise the suffering they experienced. Well actually The Belgian Beer Café Brussels just moved into a historic building on the corner of Mary and Edward streets - one of the last that Sir Joh failed to demolish due to his superstitions regarding the magical powers of the Belgium people. (We can't substantiate Sir Joh's regard for Belgian people but we can guarantee the building was not demolished).

So the actual story of The Belgian Beer Café Brussels getting to its current location might not be as exciting a story. But what is exciting is their dedication to introducing Australians to the European beverage. And they are doing it all without the influence of Christianity or the country of Belgium.

By Malcolm George

Venue: Bar

Meal: All day