It is sometimes hard to explain to people what we get out of living in another country. If you had asked us two years ago, what European country we would most like to live in, I don't think Belgium would have made the top 5, maybe not the top ten. For us, Belgium seems to be a good starter country for an expat experience. It is quite cosmopolitan, so language is less of an issue than in some countries. The people are genuinely friendly and accomodating. And there is the food and beer that I speak about frequently. So when we have vistors, as we do now with my in-laws in town, it can be difficult to relate what this experience is like. I think however, it is as much about experiencing the differences. Moving to another country removes the ability to rely upon routine. It forces you to not be in your comfort zone, to try new things and to push your boundaries. Unlike a vacation visit, there is no safety net of a plane ticket home. In this experience we have to make this home. We have to create new routines that align more readily with our new environment. These are not better routines, they are different. I think what we get out of this most is expanding our experiences and our ability to deal with the differences that they present.
Enough deep thoughts, this is a beer blog after all. Tonight's trial is the Jessenhofke Bruin. After the excellent experience with this beer's sibling, She who must be obeyed purchased the Bruin so I could give it a go. I was very much looking forward to it after the blonde but as so often happens, the sibling does not live up to the level of its predecessor. This Bruin is heavy on the caramel and malt without much hop to balance the beer. It has a very pronounced grain flavor, almost as though there were some unfermented wort mixed in with the beer. It is interesting but not inspiring. Three Drunk Monks.
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