Visiting Mons, the 2015 capital of culture, we stopped for a closer look at the Grand Place. Choosing La Maison des Brasseurs was a pure coincidence. Out of a dozen restaurants and cafes around the area, a feeling led us inside.
It's a beer shop specialized in drinks and specialty beers. The main sponsor is Maredsous, a beer produced by the monks with a selection of blond, dark and triple, their 10% beer. They also have the Trappists beer which I ordered to taste.
On the menu there was a selection of chips and sandwiches as well as omelets and cold cut platters.
Service is awful. One single waiter, smelly and looking dirty, far from being welcoming, doesn't smile, is in a continuous hurry, breathes like a machine and wants to finish things as quick as possible. Wine cups are filled with water, cleaned seconds earlier and not dried... I saw all of this while we waited to be served.
The Chimay beer by the Trappist fathers is not to be missed. Red 7% or Blue 9%, the beer is rich and aromatic with a fruity freshness and an interesting bitter after note. Pure barley malt, the beer is a connoisseur's ultimate pleasure.
Don't ask about cleanliness. Water is thrown on the floor, tables are cleaned by throwing the crumbs on the floor... It's a local coffee shop after all, so the comments are there so you know what to expect.
Croque Monsieur and Croque Madame. A fulfilling sandwich for only 5€. A pain de campagne filled win ham and cheese, toasted like you do it at home with one difference - the Croque Madame is covered with two sunny side up eggs. The plate looks delicious. Homey food, a crunchy and chewy bread with melted cheese and warmed ham with a load of eggs on top. I was so hungry I finished my plate entirely. I'm not saying it's quality food.
I craved some fries but they only had bags of Lay's chips 1,5€ each.
The place looks dirty and feels so as well. I've had much better street food, better service, better cleanliness and better food in other places.
Out of all the restaurants in the grand place, La Maison des Brasseurs is not the one I recommend.
