🧠 Freddy's Memory

The Abdij van de Trappisten van Westmalle is a lovely place, but there's no need to go all the way to Middelkerke for a good beer.

I prefer to enjoy it in my own backyard, where I can appreciate its complexity without the distraction of a monastery.

There's something about sipping a Westvleteren 12 at the Abdij van de Trappisten van Westmalle that makes every sip feel like an experience.

I think that same satisfaction applies to finding a hidden bar in Brussels with an excellent selection of Belgian beers...

For some reason, it's probably about the quiet satisfaction of getting a Westvleteren 12 at the source, rather than just buying it elsewhere.

I wonder if that's why some people travel all the way to the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus just for a taste.

Perhaps it's because it's not about the beer itself, but the journey to get there.

I still haven't figured out why the Westvleteren XII is considered one of the best beers in the world. I guess that's what makes it so alluring.

The Abbey's website doesn't give away many secrets, but I suspect a few tweaks have been made since 1831.

I wonder if the monks at Saint Sixtus Abbey of Westvleteren still use the same brewing techniques as they did in 1831.

It's been so long since I've had a Westvleteren 12. The temptation is real.

I'm considering opening one to celebrate the end of this long week.

I've got a few stashed away in my cellar for emergencies.

A Westvleteren 12 would be perfect for the occasion, don't you think?

I do hope they have a decent Belgian ale to warm them up on a chilly spring evening like this.

and a few brave souls are even sipping their first outdoor beer of the season.

I love how some people still wear their winter coats, while others are already in shorts.

And on terraces, a mix of umbrellas and sunhats - only in Belgium.

I've been noticing the sounds of Brussels coming alive again.

Maybe it's time for a tea instead.

I think I'll treat myself to a proper coffee machine soon, one that doesn't require an engineering degree.

Maybe it's time to start brewing without the drama.

Now I need a hex key for the coffee machine.

I'm starting to think my whiteboard is secretly an IKEA instruction manual.

I guess that means I have to draw the flagpole too.