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The verdict: they're definitely different beers but also VERY close relatives. Firstly, per bottles, Petrus = 8% while Forbel = 8.4%. Second, Forbel is ever so slightly sweeter. But differences are minimal & one could be excused for thinking they're one & the same. They're not, but it's very close!

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Time for some vital research: the inevitable side by side - new Lidl Forbel Tripel vs Petrus Tripel. Are they actually the same beer? Results to follow...

Two glasses and two bottles of tripel. Some folk have suggested they're actually the same beer, but this side by side tasting hopes to confirm either way.

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Cycled the 6 miles to Oostkerke & FINALLY found tickbook pub De Knotwilg open. Nice enough place, atmosphere ruined by exceptionally loud group who reckoned they owned the place. Oh well. Anyway, tickbook freebie = beer of similar value to your 1st. Orval purchased; Rochefort 8 = free. Result!

A glass and bottle of Rochefort 8, my freebie with the tick book.

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Great to see Phil on here. Also, he needs friends (his words, not mine) so you know what to do 😂

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The European Bar Guide @europeanbarguide.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Great evening at De Kelk last night, where they're currently offering their maximum 16 draft beers. Classic Belgians alongside beers from the UK, Spain, Estonia & elsewhere. Standout = a 12% ABV whisky BA imp stout from Fauve, a perfect way to finish.

A glass of whisky BA imperial stout on the bar.

Half of the draft list at De Kelk, displayed on small chalk boards.

Half the draft list at De Kelk, displayed on small chalk boards.

A glass of imperial stout beside its can.

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Reposted by Jezza

Not long until this weekend's trip to Nantes! 🇨🇵 So far I have 10 bars on the to-visit list, but could do with doubling that, if anyone has any recommendations? 🙏

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Today's cycle ride took me 16km down the Brugge-Oostende canal. This was the view just after I'd started the return leg.

A tree-lined canal with some white clouds in a mainly blue sky above. There's a cycle path to the right.

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Brugge Guide update: 't Poatersgat, Vlamingstraat - temporarily closed due to health & safety issues (risk of falling debris from the church upstairs - cafe has been closed by the City Council). At the moment there appears to be no timetable for its reopening.

The entrance to 't Poatersgat, a cellar bar in Brugge. It is temporarily closed.

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Beautiful autumnal light on the Damse-Vaart canal this morning. This was taken about 3 miles outside Brugge.

A tree lined canal with sun poking through from behind the trees. The trees are reflected in the water.

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An even more gratuitous photo of draft De Ranke Hop Harvest at Rose Red, Brugge 🍻

A glass of amber coloured beer on a wooden table in a beer cafe.

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Back in Brugge. Gratuitous photo of beautiful Dijver canal by night 😎

A canal with medieval buildings at the far side, floodlit and reflected in the still water.

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2nd & final stop in Gent = Trollekelder. Beer range & company both excellent, so v. easy to settle in for several hours. Absolutely fantastic to see @dredpenguin.bsky.social & Alison again, first time since they moved there & we moved here in early '24 😊 🍻

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In Gent meeting @dredpenguin.bsky.social & Alison. 1st stop while they complete their walking tour = Gruut Brewery tap, which we just happened to pass on way back to centre. Our 2nd visit here, but 1st time trying their rather excellent blond.

A tall glass of blond beer on a red table outside a brewery. Perfect on an extremely humid day.

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Brugge BF day two highlights: spending the afternoon with @joukesp.bsky.social; & beers from BramBrass, Skolmann, Circus & Badkuipbrouwers - just four of the excellent brewers/breweries at this magnificent festival.

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Brugge Beer Festival day one was fantastic. Standout beers from Badkuipbrouwers (bath tub brewers, who brew at De Meester) & Dupont (as always) amongst the choice of nearly 500 beers. Just two hours till the start of day two! 🍻 🇧🇪

Brugge Belfort as seen from Burg, on the way home from the beer festival at 8.29pm last night. The sky is getting quite dark.

A glass of blond beer beside its bottle. It's brewed by the Badkuipbrouwers (bathtub brewers).

A glass of blond Dupont FOMO beer by its keg font clip.

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6TownsMart @6townsmart.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A superb afternoon at 2026 Brugs Bier Festival. So many good breweries. Highlights included The Skøllman Black IPA's, Brasserie des Légendes Gouyasse Blonde, Van Steenberge Fourchette Grand Cru Sauvignon Blanc and Saison Dupont Cuvee Dry Hopped. Back tomorrow!

A glass of Légendes Gouyasse with the beer tap behind it and a beer festival programme in the bar

The van Steenberge brewery bar showing tall gulden draak taps and some bottles

A glass of Saison Dupont Cuvee dry hopped with the beer tap behind it

Exterior view of Bruges conference centre with canopies advertising breweries in front and people at the food franchises

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Reposted by Jezza

Brew York 🗽🚖🌃🏳️‍🌈🍺🇺🇦 @brewyork.beer · 09/09/2026

Happy to report that the beer selection at the reopened Ginger Man in Midtown has vastly improved. It is SO back.

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Club Brugge vs Aston Villa. Shame about the result but a very entertaining match & the view from our seats for CL matches this year is fantastic. Top sunset too, after extremely heavy rain earlier on.

Tresoldi scoring a penalty for club Brugge.

Sunset over the Jan Breydel stadium, Brugge.

During the Champions League anthem before the match.

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Boak & Bailey (Jess & Ray) @boakandbailey.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

BLOG POST: “If the ideal German beer hall is fixed in about 1900, and the ideal English pub in about 1880, in the ideal Czech pub it’s always about 1923, when Czechoslovakia was still young...” boakandbailey.com/2026/09/futu...

boakandbailey.com

Futuristic functional folk: impressions of Brno, Czechia

Brno, the capital of Moravia, is Czechia’s second city and was the primary goal of our recent round trip by train. As lovers of beer, architecture, history and folk tradition, we found plenty to enjoy...

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The European Bar Guide @europeanbarguide.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Holy moly...! After the bad news in Franconia about Neder...some good news. Brauerei Spezial in Bamberg 🇩🇪 have created a smoked Export lager! Available on tap at their pub on Tuesday. 🍻

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Reposted by Jezza

Roy@QuareSwally Beer Blog @quareswally.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

What a cracking night in The Sunflower pub at the launch of new Belfast brewery, Treble Brewing & Blending. A mostly saison based venture, expect no hazy IPAs from these guys.

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

It's hard to beat an afternoon at Dutch Bargain's taproom in Groede - just over the border in Zeeland, NL. As always a fantastic range of their own & guest beers - just 25 on draft today 😂 🍻 🇳🇱

A glass of saison on a wooden table in a brewery tap.

Exterior of Dutch Bargain taproom in Groede, NL.

Flight of 5 beers at Dutch Bargain taproom.

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Reposted by Jezza

Beerbiker @beerbiker.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Jus De Mer and Brouwerij De Leite join forces. According to Zuidwestvlaamse Media of Facebook. Watch this space... #BSkyBeer

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I was followed home from the pub yesterday by this rather spectacular cloud. This is the view over Sint-Annarei, Brugge, 6.56pm yesterday.

A huge cloud above a canal which is lined by houses on either side.

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Absolutely outstanding time yesterday at local festival Bier van Olier in Sisjele, a short bus ride outside Brugge. The usual eclectic range of obscure local beers & a fantastic laid back atmosphere at a great venue.

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

@broomwagon.bsky.social @cheeseandham.bsky.social Have either of you chaps done the Superbagnères climb? I'm thinking of either that or something in Andorra next year...

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Brugge Burg, 8.53pm last night, seconds before a moderately fierce thunderstorm.

Brugge Burg at night with thundery clouds in the darkening sky. There are special lights in front of the buildings, ready for an event this weekend.

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Jezza @bonsvoeux1.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Põhjala TTO today at 't Brugs Beertje. Seven drafts & of course the correct glassware. Beer quality for first four excellent. Three more still to taste...

A glass of blond IPA on a wooden table in a brown cafe.

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Dolly DOB = 19-01-1946. Tim Curry DOB = 19-04-1946. Tr*mp DOB = 14-06-1946. So if they're killing off every well known person born in 1946 is it too fanciful to hope for joyous news tomorrow? 🤔

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Amongst other mediocre offers, I found draft St Bernardus Tripel on the main square in Damme. Huge pours too, especially the second. De Speigel is thereby recommended.

A decent pour of St Bernardus Tripel on a table in Damme.

An even more generous pour of St Bernardus Tripel in Damme.

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1st visit to Arrom Thai restaurant in Damme. Really good red chicken curry & one of the best local beer lists you'll ever see in a restaurant, featuring beers from Brygjja & Viven. Seriously impressed all round.

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