14th. Bruges Beer Fest

[Trappist]

Hi,
The new dates have been released!
9 and 10 April 2022 !
Published overe here : https://www.hln.be/brugge/aftellen-naar-14de-bierfestival-kan-beginnen-de-nieuwe-locatie-en-een-nieuwe-datum-geven-ons-vleugels~ac7f8e61/
Note that BAB choose De Bierboom as location for making this public. nice gesture 
The beer swap will take place the day before on Friday evening, as usual.



It sure will be a great weekend, but I fear that Jay and Linda will not be able to come over  
Cheers,
Filip

[John B]

The new dates seem to be a welcome change. Much easier to enjoy your beers outside in April than in February. I see they have a VIP Package now for 150 Euros that is "a bit more exclusive", although they don't say what you get for your money. For that price it had better be pretty damn good, like maybe a bottle or two of special beer not available elsewhere, early entry into the festival, a shirt, commemorative glass, some tokens to get you started, maybe discounts at local bars ...that sort of thing. It will be interesting to see how many people sign up for that VIP package.

Cheers! - John

[Trappist]

I see they have a VIP Package now for 150 Euros that is "a bit more exclusive", although they don't say what you get for your money.

Yes John, that's something I saw too, but what a price: € 150 !!
I also wonder what that VIP package will contain. It sure needs to be from an excellent contents. Makes me all that more curious, but future will tell 
Anyway, the bbf takes place during Easter vacation and is held the week before Easter.
That's after all a perfect time, and it will be warmer springtime already, knowing the fest will also take place outside. Not bad really.
Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

.....but I fear that Jay and Linda will not be able to come over  
Cheers,
Filip

I'm afraid it's looking that way Filip, we both had to book time off work in anticipation of the festival going ahead in February.
Up until a few weeks back we were still unsure if the Copenhagen beer festival would go ahead and completely in the dark about the Bruges one (with no mention anywhere) so made the decision to at least guarantee a break at the beginning of February, so Hotel and flights booked and paid for.

This will be the first festival we'll miss since attending BBF No2 and to miss out on seeing friends and joining in the activities will be very sad BUT I'm sure we'll both have a great time (especially seeing as Covid put pay to our 2021 visit) and fingers crossed we still get to meet up with both yourself and Katrien     

Cheers and hopefully see you in February
Jay and Linda.

[Jay]

Hi everyone,

A bit of good news, Linda has managed to swap our flights to Bruges from February to April so we WILL be attending the Beer Festival and the beer swap at Ruby's

It's great news that we'll be able to meet up with so many friends from across America and Europe and of course your good self Filip and Katrien.

After missing out in 2021 and all we've been through with lockdown and travel bans this will be quite the emotional get together.

Cheers
Jay 

[John B]

That's great to hear Jay, enjoy! I look forward to seeing and hearing about your long awaited visit back to one of your favorite places on earth.

Cheers! - John

[Trappist]

Wow Jay,
That's some fantastic news mate!
And now.... hoping  that the virus will go to hell 
HIGHLY looking forward to your visit in April!
CHEERS
Filip

[Trappist]

Hi,
For your info.
Here are all the previous Bruges Beer Fest Picture reports!

1st. Bruges Beer Fest 2007

2nd. Bruges Beer Fest 2008

3th. Bruges Beer Fest 2009

4th. Bruges Beer Fest 2010

5th. Bruges Beer Fest 2012

6th. Bruges Beer Fest 2013

7th. Bruges Beer Fest 2014

8th. Bruges Beer Fest 2015

9th. Bruges Beer Fest 2016

10th. Bruges Beer Fest 2017

11th. Bruges Beer Fest 2018

12th. Bruges Beer Fest 2019

13th. Bruges Beer Fest 2020

Up to the next 14th. edition 

Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

Hi everyone (and especially Filip)

A bit of bad news, but I'm afraid we won't be attending the 14th Bruges Beer Festival (or visiting Bruges)

As you may know I work for Sainsbury's (in the cafe) and a couple of weeks back we got the news that they would be closing close on 200 of their in store cafes and that ours would be one of them.
I didn't want to post anything until it was official and today I received my official redundancy notification, we close on the 23rd April and I will be redundant.

They are trying everything to find us new positions elsewhere in store but the wheels are in motion and we have to accept the inevitable job losses.

Travel wise we have (had) Bruges in April and Copenhagen in May booked, Copenhagen is fully paid for but Bruges we have only paid for the flights.
We have done the maths and it's a sad factor but we cannot fund both trips, as Copenhagen is all paid for (flights, hotel, festival tickets) it seems only right that this is the one we visit.

I'm (rather we) are heartbroken at this news and you know that the decision to cancel wasn't taken lightly.

Hopefully something will come along in the next 5 weeks 

Cheers
Jay 

[John B]

Oh no, I'm very sorry to hear that Jay. Please keep your head up mate. You've got the skills and experience to be able to find good employment elsewhere. I'm sure something will come your way soon. Please let us know how it all turns out. 

Best wishes to you! - John 

[Trappist]

Jay,
This is such a horrible news!! Has Linda also lost her job ?
It is like John says, you've got the skills and experience to be able to find a new job 
Attending the BBF is not a must ofcourse, knowing in what trouble you both are now.
We just wish (and pray) that a new and better job are a reality in the VERY near future 
STAY STRONG MATE 
All the best !!!!!!!!
Filip

[Viv]

Hey Jay!

Sorry to hear the news, but as the other guys have said, something good, and even better,
will turn up soon; meantime you've just got to hang in there and be strong mate.

Life is all ups and downs and it's how we handle these challenges that we learn to get through them.

I'm sure that you have a huge stash of lovely beers from Belgium and elsewhere to focus on,
and to look forward to enjoying...!

Cheers!


Viv 

[Jay]

Thanks guys 👍🏻

First off Linda still has her job so that's a relief.

I still have 5 weeks of employment left, so hopefully something will appear on the horizon soon, I will of course keep you all informed.

Cheers
Jay 

[Trappist]

First off Linda still has her job so that's a relief.

Wow Jay, what a relief this is!!
5 weeks is long! You'll find a new job Jay. That's what my sixth sense is telling me 
BTW Jay, I'm still thinking about what happened to Vitalli in Ukraine. It is such a drama that he lost his meadery with that bombardment. What a tragedy...pfffff...
Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

BTW Jay, I'm still thinking about what happened to Vitalli in Ukraine. It is such a drama that he lost his meadery with that bombardment. What a tragedy...pfffff...
Cheers,
Filip[/color]

Such sad pictures posted by our friend Vitalli, his Berryland Meadery completely obliterated by a bomb. I wish him much strength and send him nothing but love during these most difficult of times.



The horror that's happening in the Ukraine is so completely heartbreaking, Kyiv was our last holiday as a family (just before Covid kicked off) and to see it being blown apart is truly devastating.

Cheers
Jay 🇺🇦