[Trappist]

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

[Jay]

Hi Filip,

It's a sad day in the wonderful history of the Belgian Beer Board BUT I totally understand and respect your decision to close the website and concentrate on the FB page - it's number of users, activity and like you say ZERO costs.

I can only feel immense gratitude for all the special memories that are a direct result of this site but firstly it's about the friends I have made, though I haven't met everyone in person I still class you as true friends whom I'll always be in contact with over on Facebook - John and Viv, thanks for all the great chats we've had over the years, your friendship is something I hold dear 👏🏻

Also without it there would have been no vintage beer tasting and talking about tastings the epic bottle shares at Rudys (would I even known the legend that is Rudy) a friendship (now along with Marina) that I have here to thank for.

Tony, Jeremy, Danielle, Lee, Scott...again friends that were formed through the BBB 👏🏻

The biggest thank you goes to yourself Filip (and Katrien of course) you made all the above possible and for that I'll be eternally grateful.
The countless meetings we've had over the years, the bars we've visited, the days out to the furthest rural corners of Belgium visiting breweries and bars known only to locals AND that is set to continue in just three weeks time 

This isn't the end it's just evolving, we're all still here we're just a click away


Cheers for everything
Jay 

[Trappist]

This 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

[Viv]

Hey guys,

I suppose its not really out of the blue as you can tell by the number
of postings that the four of us ( Filip, Jay, John and myself ) are currently
making.

For my part I have really enjoyed the searching and tasting of nearly 2,000
Belgian beers, carried out over the last 26 years.

We have all played a great part in the journey shared on this website, each
one of bringing something different. Filip's research and updates of local
breweries and beers, new releases, etc. And obviously facilitating this
website! Jay's tastings and travels seeking out not only Belgian beer but
local beer too. John's american input, research and viewpoint from across
the pond. My tastings ( you guys have done this too ).

I have become less interested in chasing down and finding new brews as well as
sourcing them, especially after Covid and Brexit which provided restrictions
and added tax import duties. I rarely drink alcohol these days as the joy of
doing so has naturally been lowered.

The four of us created a bond and friendship far beyond what would seem possible
by online media alone ( apart from Filip and Jay who did meet up and fairly
regularly). I for one will miss this but as you say there's the FB site. Although
I tend to stay well away from FB, TikTok and Instagram.

Maybe we should start a Whatsapp group for the four of us to keep that intimate
shared bond we have enjoyed.

Wouldn't it be just great to actually one day meet up and have a beer or two
in Belgium???!!!

I will add further thoughts as they come to me! Lots more could be added yet!

So, it's a big CHEERS guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Viv

   

   

[Jay]

Hi Viv,

That's a really nice message there mate, like you say the 4 of us have most definitely cemented a Belgian Beer Board bond that surpasses most online friendships and that needs celebrating

The WhatsApp idea is a fantastic one and a great way for us all to keep in touch, share messages and beer reviews (keep them coming mate) and hopefully one day we'll get to share a beer together 

Next week is the Bruges Beer Festival and so it's a meet up with Filip and Katrien also Rudy and Marina and also the many friends we've made over the years (no doubt we'll bump into my other woman Daisy  ) and it also be great to see Dries at my No1 bar Beertje

You can expect a full report and I'm going to make it my best one yet

Cheers maties
Jay 

[John B]

My apologies Filip, Jay and Viv for such a delay in replying to your posts, but things have been so busy lately for me in work and in life itself that I've even had a hard time checking in here at my long time favorite website of all which I used to do daily (often multiple times) for years without fail.

Filip, while I will dearly miss checking in here I completely understand your decision. Certainly this is a small community here at the Belgian Beer Board, one that allows a much more personal touch and feeling that neither Facebook nor any other mass media social website can give.

Yet I understand the time and money you've put into this labor of love on the Belgian Beer Board is hard to justify when there are only a few people participating. Just days ago I told myself that I need to post more here, show more of my beery adventures and the type of reports and tastings that you, Jay and Viv have wonderfully captured and shared here. I'll always treasure those posts immensely.

Words cannot tell you what the Belgian Beer Board has meant to my over the years. I've shared some parts of my life at times where I've never shared it anywhere else online. All because of the true, deep friendship, trust and understanding that I feel here. There have been things I never would have shared on a mass media site, things you've been so kind to respond to in a thoughtful and caring way that helped me through some crazy times I wouldn't wish on anyone. Thankfully my life is in a much better place now, and it's in part because of the strength and faith that I've gained right here.

If you'd all be willing Filip, Jay, Viv and anyone else here who would like to join I'd like to perhaps propose that maybe we can all work out a day or evening (I know we're not all in the same time zone, especially me, lol) sometime before the Belgian beer Board's final shutdown where we can share a final few Belgian beers together here at the same time. Have a last chat at this amazing place we've called home over the years. Anyone up for that?

Finally, a deep thank you to Filip for all the time and effort you've put into making the Belgian Beer Board what it is and always has been, and to Jay and Viv and the other folks who have contributed over the years. I've been so lucky to have met a few of you, and would still dearly love to meet with those of whom I haven't and meet again with those I have.

But for now, it soon will be last call at the Belgian Beer Board. I'm thankful that even though it's elsewhere we'll still have a place to call home.

With a heartfelt Cheers to you! - John     

   

[Trappist]

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

[Jay]

The WhatsApp idea is a fantastic one and a great way for us all to keep in touch, share messages and beer reviews (keep them coming mate)

I hope you don't mind Filip but that's exactly what I've done, there's now a Belgian Beer Board WhatsApp message (if one is already in place I can easily delete it) or if you want to make an official one then that's no problem

https://chat.whatsapp.com/GOk9a2tMNNeEKNTHk7md1y?s=cl&p=i&mlu=0&ilr=4

Hopefully the link works or I can invite individually if necessary 

Cheers Jay 

[Trappist]

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

[Trappist]

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

[John B]

Completely understandable Filip. You've put your heart and soul and MANY hours of labor into this website for a long time. If I thought your decision was just about the money aspect of it then I'd certainly offer to pay for the next year's expenses right now. That's how much (and a lot more) the Belgian Beer Board has meant to me over the years. But I feel it's more than that...

If you have a change of heart and decide to keep the Belgian Beer Board alive then I will happily send you a donation to help keep it going, but under one condition ... If it is no longer what you feel is worth the time and effort to you to continue then please end the Belgian Beer Board, as much as that pains me to say.

I still feel that even though we are a very small group here that the beautiful reports (wish I could think of a better word because to me they are so much more than just a "report") that you and Jay especially have shared and the wonderful tasting impressions that Viv has shared will never be the same posted on a FB page as they have been posted here. They just can't be replicated properly on FB.

I've always been more of a "Quality over quantity" kind of guy, and to me it doesn't get any better than the content posted here, but yes, I am sure more people see it when posted on that big social media website.

Well, that's about all I have to say right now. I can't thank you enough Filip for all the moments that I've spent here which have meant so much to me. That also goes to you Jay and Viv and though the years Daniele and Tony and others who have contributed to the Belgian beer Board.

I know life moves on, and as the great George Harrison once said All Things Must Pass. If the Belgian Beer Board passes on then I'm so grateful for the time I was privileged to have spent here and the memories which will live on with me forever.

Cheers! - John       

[Trappist]

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

[Trappist]

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

[John B]

Sounds like a great idea Filip! It gives the best of both worlds, doesn't cost anything, and is a lot less time consuming for you to take care of. I'm looking forward to hearing your decision on this.

Cheers! - John 

[Viv]

Hi guys,

I'm more than happy to chip in financially if necessary too.

But I think the smaller FB page might be the solution. Although I
have no idea what that will look like.

Having not had any alcohol for over 3 months, I rekindled my
enthusiasm a few weeks ago and as such am tasting a few beers a week
although most have been German both new and old so far. If you think
Belgian beers are difficult to source you should try sourcing Germans
especially away from the main breweries that dominate, ie Spaten,
Paulaner, Erdinger, and Ayinger to name but a few! Many breweries
have up to 20 different brews many of which are seasonal and locally
distributed only. I remember when I spent a lot of time in Germany
almost 50 years ago most supermarkets and shops only sold their local
brews! Imagine walking down very long aisles with thousands of bottles
but only maybe 5 different brews!  ( Jay, imagine your sweetshop beershop
with only 5 different Belgians beers, and nothing else either! )

Anyway, let's keep looking at the options available.

Cheers!



Viv