Our day was hosted by the Musketeers Brewery, home of the Troubadour beers. We had a boat trip up the Scheide River while we learned about the history of Antwerp and of their brewery. They started brewing beer in 2000 as a hobby amongst 4 friends. As their beer became more popular (selling it under the table in many local bars), they set up a brewery and entered the Belgium beer business as a full time job. We sampled several of their beers such at the Blonde, Obscura, Speciale, and Magma which is a Triple IPA which was wonderfully balanced between fruitiness and bitterness.

From the morning cruise we had a medieval style lunch (ribs, sausage bread and rice pudding) in a dimly lit medieval dungeon that was used as a storage bunker during the wars. Following this was a guided walking tour of Antwerp with stops for some famous local food (chocolates, cookies and headcheese). This city is full of history at every turn you make. Medieval forts and churches, statues dot the city. The architecture is incredibly beautiful and no pictures can truly convey the scale and magnificence of it all.

Next we had a few glasses of Troubadour beers in the Old Arsenal, a favorite local pub. This pub was closed but they opened it just for our group. There we were able to sample more Troubadour beers with cheese and pate as a snack.

Later we went for a fantastic dinner of chicken stew, white asparagus, mashed potatoes topped with sausage and thick cut bacon, and of course frittes. Our host said to us, "if you do not go home 10 pounds heavier, I have failed you." This was all washed down with Troubadour Imperial Stout, this is a great beer with strong coffee notes and great finish. Then we broke into song when the breweries own troubadour entered and sang the praises of Belgium beer.

Our hosts from Troubadour were great. Being a new brewery is hip and cool in America, but in Belgium three guys are making beers that go against hundreds of years of tradition (when have you ever seen a Belgium black IPA?). It is their passion for good beers that has kept them going. The one thing that keeps coming back to me here is the passion and love that the locals here have for beer, culture and food. Tomorrow we head to Ghent with a stop at the Bavik Brewery on the way.

Beer Consultant Evan Kaye and Chris Brower