Hi all,
I'm still thinking about what I can do to keep the forum going.
Making a new forum is quite complicated and asks for alot of time .... and still will cost at least 80 euro per year for a very basic hosting. You won't find cheaper I'm afraid.
Suddenly I was thinking that actually Facebook could give the ultimate solution.
I could install a "private" Facebook group with the name: "Belgian Beer Board Extended"
Will include at least 4 people, but Tony, Daniele, etc.. sure are welcome too.
I can make you all moderators.
That'll be less intimidated, compared to the 30.000 BBB Facebook group, which is open to all public.
You know, the idea of the BBB website has always been to go big and open to everyone.
A "private" Facebook group can also grow, but not everyone can read if not being member.
Also, that small private FB BBB group will give much more details and much more stories, footages, etc....
Not simple pictures of let's say a Chimay blue with a short phrase.
Actually, exactly the same like we've done before on the BBB forum.

It's just an idea folks

And..... totally free too 

And .... most important! That we don'l lose each other, and stay connected. That's my biggest concern right now.

Cheers,
Filip

Hi John,
What a great gesture wanting to pay         
But, that's the last thing I want to see happen.
There is otoh one thing I can do!
First: Looking for a very cheap provider.
Second: Installing only the forum. So, no main page anymore.
I can try to download a back-up of the forum, and afterwards re-load the database inside the new location.
For example: https://www.theory7.net/webhosting/  ==>> going for the mini
That really is affordable 
Cheers and many thanks John 
Filip

Hi,
Today I got my renewal notification from Siteground

pay by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

431.67 Euro 

Even that amount of the cheapest plan is really too expensive.
The end of the BBB comes nearer and nearer 
You know, I'm still struggling with that idea though, but the decision has been made 

Cheers,
Filip

Quote from: Viv on October 07, 2026, 03:12:03 PMAt least your tests have now shown what the problem is so it could be relatively
straightforward to resolve, maybe with just some diet changes to start.

Yes Viv, things will evolve to the better for sure.
Jay, remember that also sunlight is the key for Vitamine D production!!
Holiday periods in sunny countries can have massive positive outcomes for you too         
As for Katrien, she needs to be in the plaster for at least 6 weeks by now.
She is at home now, and I have time to take care of here because I am retired.
Cheers and all the best and much prosperity to everyone.
Filip

Wauw Jay, what a frightening experience you both had !!!
It seems we all need a guardian angel at some points in our life.
As for us, we definitely need one too.
Katrien broke her ankle last Sunday evening in combination with a badly twisted ankle.
That needed a 45 minutes operation to fix the fracture. Happened yesterday and everything went fine !!!! The giuardian angle, you know.
Anyway, not such a happy experiences. She needs a plaster for at least 6 weeks now.
We will survive this for sure...
When I have time I put your story on the main page.
CHeers,
Filip

THANKS Jay for all the beautiful reports, and the hard work that's been put in for making them !!!
It sure revives all the good things we experienced that wonderful long weekend, and will be remembered for the rest of my life  This is priceless 
Already waiting for the next one !!
Cheers mate
Filip

Hi Jay,
Thanks for sharing those memorable moments.
It was a true pleasure taking you to Saint-Bernardus and café Helleketel.
Next time is already a surety Jay !!!
CHEERS
Filip

Great start Jay !!!!
Seldom seen the Garre glasses filled so rich
Looking forward to see the next reports. Don't put too much pictures of me please. It's always a surprise to see myself suddenly appearing
Cheers,
Filip

Quote from: Jay on September 27, 2026, 10:21:42 PMSo its positive thoughts from now on and very much looking after myself         

That's the great spirit Jay !!!!
It's not the big C , so this is some amazing good news after all.
When I met you a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that you were much more slim since I met you. You looked abit fragile too.... but after all, you looked so healthy 
But still, be careful with having a diet. Vitamins are essential, and many people take their diet too serious. After all, your body still needs to live from your food.
Healthy food and moderation are two keywords to take damn serious.
Concerning me: I weigh too much and my sugar levels need caution. Not that I am diabetic, but it is close.
This means: less sugar, less starch, less fat, more moving, more fruit, more vegetables, no exaggerations, but also less alcohol I'm afraid to say.
We become older and older, so our body needs to be cared about more than ever. Actually, with my age of 64 I really feel that I get old (actually, I am old). I get tired more quickly, have less energy, and am sooner to feel lazy.
But inevitable, we need to go some time, the best ofcourse late, fast, and painless. But I don't want to become 100 years either.
So, my advice is to be active, live healthy, moderation, take more time for your health, and above all: LIVE HAPPY !!!!!
Anyway, Katrien and I are so happy for you that the test results aren't that bad at all and like John says, can be easily corrected.         
CHEERS !!!!
Filip

Hi Jay,
That worked fine!!!
Member now
see you tomorrow
Cheers,
Filip

Hi,
Thanks a million my friends to accept the end of the BBB as a website.
It is one of the toughest decisions in my life.
I'm still quite busy with moderating the BBB Facebook group, and I also do the "Brugge ~ Vroeger en Nu" Facebookgroup as moderator, where I do massive AI reproductions of the rich history of my beloved Bruges. Another passion I have.

I always thought that with becoming retired that I would have much more time for even doing more to the BBB website, but how wrong I was. Actually, with becoming older, the drive disappears and also the strength and dedication to actually going further and further. But at this moment, I feel that I was forcing myself to put new info on the website. Even on the BBB Facebook group, I'm not that busy anymore. The excitement isn't there anymore. VERY strange really.
I will also discontinu the FlckR picture site. That's also an €80.00 per year. I have downloaded all the pictures as zip-files to my safe computer space. They sure are not lost for ever.

I think a Whatsapp group is a great idea. I'm all in for that idea. 

See you VERY soon Jay !!

Cheers,
Filip

Quote from: Jay on August 25, 2026, 10:52:28 PMThis isn't the end it's just evolving, we're all still here we're just a click away

Thanks for the very kind words Jay 
Like you say, it's an evolving thing and certainly not the end.
The Facebook group still runs and that's already a good sign.
Although I'm a bit worried about Facebook handling alcoholic drinks.
It seems FB becomes strickter and strickter concerning alcohol.
It actually could be that in the near future FB groups with alcoholic drinks could face difficult times.
BAB has had some major problems with their facebook page. A lot of messages were deleted by FB.
They needed to become an 18+ page     
The world sure hasn't become easier lately 
Cheers, and see you SOON !!!
Filip

Hi folks,
It took me a while to finally decide to end with the BBB website.
That's already my second decision. But this time it is for real.
The www.belgianbeerboard.com will expire on Nov 7, 2026
The renewal will cost me about €400 every 2 years, and I think this is really too much money for what the website actually represents.
No big deal friends, as I will continu with the BBB Facebook group that has nearly 30.000 members.
There is much more traffic there, and above all, it doesn't cost me any Euro at all.
It was really fun running this website, but I'm getting older and the drive isn't there anymore like it was for decades.
Hope you all understand my decision.
I want to MASSIVELY thanks with full of my heart everyone over here (Jay, John and Viv) for having participated for such a long time. Amazing really             
CHEERS and I'll see you on Facebook for sure.
Filip

Hi Jay,
Excellent planning !!
About the beerswap.
At this point I'm not sure if that will happen again.
I'm still waiting for Rudy to have more news.
Also, I'm not so much involved in that great event. I only do the picture report and also the event publish on Facebook.
I'll keep informed when more info arises.
See ye soon mate 
Cheers,
Filip

Quote from: Viv on August 02, 2026, 06:19:17 PMPeak "craft beer" has long since passed taking casualties including
quality Belgian brewers with it.

Yes Viv, that's really too bad.
At this point it's only waiting for the next quality brewery to be shut down.... sadly not the way round.
I also have the bad feeling that alcohol will be at some point being banned in the near future.
There's too much non-alcoholic beers being produced lately, and there are massive attempts these days to abuse alcoholic beverages.
I sincerely hope this will not be the end of beers with alcohol. I really fear for that.... 
Cheers,
Filip