In Bruges

Just learned of a new film coming out towards the end of the 40 day festivities next year. The trailer for "In Bruges" has a couple of good lines in it. Can't figure out what beer he's drinking at the bar about three quarters of the way through the clip, though.

What does Miss Belgium drink?

So, it has been revealed that Miss Belgium cannot speak Flemish. Obviously it's a sore point given what's going on here these days, but to my mind, it's not the key issue.

The point is, Alizee Poulicek is apparently half Czech -- so, Poulíčková, please! -- half Belgium, so the real question is, what kind of beer does she like? Pilsner or something top-fermented? The world demands an answer.

First purchases

I went down to BeerMania yesterday -- conveniently located between my office and the European Parliament, near which I enjoyed a fine Indian lunch buffet (including an Orval) -- and picked up some of the harder to find brews. I bought Babar the honey beer, for example, and a few others I don't see everywhere.

At 18 euros, the Deus Brut des Flandres is definitely the most expensive bottle of beer I've ever bought. Saving that for a special occasion.

The Final List of Beers

We finally have a final list of 40 beers and breweries. Had some good suggestions from the team -- and also some help from the readers of BeerAdvocate.com.

Here's the list... no more changes...

* 1 “Affligem Day”
* 2 Augustijn
* 3 “Abbaye d'Aulne Day”
* 4 Barbar (Honey Ale)
* 5 “Bosteels Brewery Day” (Kwak, Tripel karmeliet & Deus)
* 6 Brugge tripel
* 7 “Chimay Day”
* 8 La Chouffe
* 9 “Ciney Day”
* 10 “Corsendonk Day”
* 11 De verboden vrucht
* 12 “Delerium Day”
* 13 “Ename Day”
* 14 “Abbaye de Floreffe Day”
* 15 Florival blond
* 16 La Gauloise
* 17 Gentse tripel
* 18 Geuze: Special theme day
* 19 “Gordon Day”
* 20 “Grimbergen Day”
* 21 Gulden draak
* 22 “Hoegaarden Day”
* 23 “Kasteelbier Day”
* 24 “Leffe Day”
* 25 “Liefmans Day”
* 26 “Maredsous Day”
* 27 Oerbier
* 28 Orval
* 29 “Palm Day”
* 30 Petrus gouden tripel
* 31 Piraat amber
* 32 “Rochefort Day”
* 33 “Rodenbach Day”
* 34 “St Bernardus Day”
* 35 “St Feuillen Day”
* 37 Trolleke
* 38 Vieux Temps
* 39 “Westmalle Day”
* 40 “Westvleteren Day”

Competition?

Notices have been posted all over our flat, and it looks like the 40b40 project is about to get some competition. The note reads:

For E’s Birthday

For my 9th birthday from the 20th of the 9th to the 29th of the 9th, I am going to try 9 different fizzy drinks! Please sponsor me! Minimum 0.25 euro, maximum 1,000,000 euro.