Venuestar Review The biggest beer garden sesh in Melbourne, the Belgian Beer Cafe Bluestone brings a touch of Belgian pub life to Melbourne.
Belgian pub life, you say? Given that Belgium has the largest selection of beers in the world, a Belgian pub may easily have over one hundred bottled beers available. Belgian style dictates that each beer must be served in its own unique glass, and would you believe it, even the Aussie beers at the Belgian Beer Cafe Bluestone will come with their matching glasses - be that a Crown Lager through to a Cascade Light.
Bluestone's range is definitely numerous, including your Stella, Hoegaarden and Leffes, complete with the traditional glass washing process which sees your glass sprayed clean with water before being handed over.
Peruse the drinks card just for a moment and take a look at how pub culture differs around the world. Go on, be experimental and try some of the trappist monks' beers such as the Chimays, Orval and Rochefort. They are dark in colour, quite strong at around 8 to 11%, and you may well allow yourself half an hour to an hour per drink. The ladies might like to give Hoegaarden (pronounced 'who-gaarde') with a slice of lemon a shot, or the wonderful cherry flavoured Kriek.
Beer goes with food, and in that department we were pleased to discover staple Belgian meals and snacks such as mussels and chips with mayo being served. Dining service here is informal but pretty spot on, with waiting staff constantly dashing around offering you more pepper or mayo with your dish.
With all the beer serving ceremony, the bar can get pushy at peak times, which might frustrate some.
Our tip: Hoegaarden with a slice of lemon in it, or the Kwak beer with the secret stand - costs $50 deposit, but infinitely worth it to impress your mates with.
Outdoor Area / Beer Garden A large table and sprawling lawn area combined with outdoor bar make a fantastic spot to have a beer, especially so on a warm Friday, Saturday or Sunday. This beer garden can attract crowds of 2000 or more. Head over on a Sunday for a legendary sesh. Simon Woodhouse Second Opinion A theme restaurant with a difference, The Belgian Beer Cafe is on the ground floor of the imposing 19th century bluestone mansion that is home to the Victorian Institute for the Blind.
Dark wood panelling, period features, high-backed benches and various Flemish pieces set the tone for a real Belgian drinking experience.
But then there's the service - rinsing each glass, taking excess froth off with a spatula and giving the glass one final rinse - anyone would think the staff have been shipped over from Belgium to work here.
All this and the wide range on offer goes to show just how seriously the Belgians take their beer. Non beer drinkers should not be discouraged, as there is such variety that you might become a believer. Julie Whiting
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Readers' Reviews The range of beers is great - but you are looking at least a half an hour wait on your beer on a busy night. We ended up just drinking Stellas out of a bottle from the stand that only sold bottled beer. So much time is spent washing, spraying, wiping and dipping the glass that it can take ages get served!
Beer Lover, Brunswick, 11/03 Set in the grounds of the old blind institute, this is one of the most pleasurable experiences in Melbourne. Inside, the wonderful swirling decor is inviting and open. And the food is magnificent.
One of the highlights for me, apart from the seemingly endless array of Belgian and foreign beer options (some as potent as 9% and all very tasty), are the grounds; beautiful spacious grounds with towering trees makes for a perfect sunny afternoon and a perfect location for a moonlit evening. The swirling jazz and other pleasing music makes this an experience like stepping out of mainstream Melbourne and taking a holiday.
The perfect place for friends or lovers to go. A great place for an after work meal/nibble & conversation, and definitely worth the visit.
I give it four and a half stars, because to me the journey experienced was exceptional and could rival most Melbourne experiences.
Highly recommended. Andrei, Elsternwick, 03/03
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