BELGIUM

[EDIT: Eijsden, January 15]
During the period of government insecurity in Belgium, when it took rather a long time to come up with a new government, The Economist on December 17 devoted two full pages to the country.

It is noted first and foremost that the quality of the beer brewed in Belgium is regarded as the best in the world and the great abbey beers from Westvleteren were mentioned. However, in passing over the beer issue, which clearly one should read for oneself, it mentioned lots of other things too. It mentioned Spa, where the water comes from and where a lot of other things started up too. It did not mention Jenever, that splendid variety of gin, that can be found in Belgium, and to which Hasselt devotes a seasonal festival every year.

I, myself, was particularly concerned, while traveling recently, not to be able to find good quality Belgian Jenever in the duty-free shops of airports as important as New York and Paris. And one wonders, if this should not be given some serious thought. Rademacher’s Classico and Lambertus from Raeren would grace the international scene.

In connection with beer, Jupille, a big production center for InBev was mentioned in the article too. One recalls that Charlemagne, who gave birth to the idea of Europe, is believed to have been born in Herstal but he also went to live in his father's villa in Jupille when he was about seven.

SW