Thread: Shopping experience at the jenever museum

As most of you know, I usually drink Malt Whisky or Cognac when it comes to alcohol, but every now and again I enjoy a shot or 2 of our national strong liquor called 'Jenever'. It's a bit like Gin, except the juniper is not quite so pronounced, and the good stuff is actually matured on oak casks.

I usually buy my stuff at the nearby Jenever museum, which has a jenever shop / bar on the premises. The reason is simple. They have every true jenever that is produced in Belgium. I like to know what I buy, and often try a couple before I make my choice. Especially since I like the really strong stuff at 50ish %.

Last 2 times I was there, there was this woman behind the counter. She was polite, but not very enthusiastic and if I wanted to taste something, I had to actually pay. Still, I bought my stuff there because the really strong stuff is hard to find elsewhere.

This weekend, the weather was very nice, sunny, and we had to go to Hasselt (where the museum is) and I wanted to buy some jenever so we hopped in the museum shop. The museum itself (the building) is very old, and is a very beautiful place with cobblestone courtyard etc.

And for a change, the shop was manned not by the aforementioned woman, but by 2 elderly man. I could not help but notice that they were well groomed. They were very friendly. When I asked about the strong stuff, they made a couple of suggestions and immediately gave me a shot glass for tasting. I settled for a malted jenever which was 49%.

Only they found out that their last bottle had a broken seal, which sometimes happens if they can't find the bottle they use for tastings. The guy asked me if I would mind buying the bottle with the broken seal if they top it up with the content of the actual tasting bottle. Since I trust that place and I saw the bottles, I didn't mind. He topped it to the brim.

Then I also wanted to buy a bottle of St. Pol 54%. I wrote about that one sometime ago, It is one of my favorites. http://straightrazorpalace.com/finer...n-jenever.html

The had a look around, but they didn't have any more in stock. They guy told me that the production for that one had stopped. Sadly, jenever is losing popularity fast. The real stuff is not well liked by the younger generation anymore. Instead they drink the 'fruit jenever' which is only 20% alcohol, and contains lots of sugar. To be honest, I am the youngest jenever drinker I know of. And according to the guy behind the counter, I am somewhat of an exception. The guy literally said: 'every jenever drinker that dies of old age is one less, and there aren't any new ones'

This made me really sad. Jenever is truly an artisanal quality product, and I hope the tradition isn't lost.

Anyway, I was told that I wouldn't find it anymore. The guy must have sympathised with me because he proposed making one full bottle out of their 2 last tasting bottles, which I graciously accepted as well. He topped it to the brim, and then poured me a shot so that he could get the cork in.

But then it got even better. They couldn't find the price of that one anymore because they had no stock left. So they just took the price of a lesser strength St. Pol. Together with the other bottle, that came to 43.90 euros. So I take 2 20s out of my wallet and then started looking for the loose change. Before I can take it out, the guy simply takes my 20s and says 'That's ok, we'll just round it down. Have a nice day'.

I have to say that this really made my day. Not because of those couple of euros, but because these men were going out of their way to help me out. Their courtesy made it truly an enjoyable experience.

Thanks Bruno. Great story. Next time I go to Hasselt, I make sure to drop by that place. My knowledge about jenever stops at the Hertekamp and Old Smeets that I keep in my liquor stock. Not much of an aficionado I guess, but I really like tasting it every once in a while. Maybe in time, when the current Single Malt Whisky hype is over the top, there might be more attention for other great spirits such a Calvados and Jenever. Don't get me wrong: I love Single Malts, but there is a hype going on and it sucks up a lot of attention form the younger generation that's still prepared to explore the cultural heritage of high alcohol beverages (I admit that includes myself). I believe, that, if the old Jenever distilleries play their hand right, and avoid stepping into the trap of producing low quality, overly sweetened stuff for the masses, there's is still a bright future lying ahead for jenever.

Cheers for the treasures you managed to bring home,
Bart.

man.. Good Beer, Good Booze, and Good Hones.

Belgium sounds like a magical place.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

man.. Good Beer, Good Booze, and Good Hones.

Belgium sounds like a magical place.

That is why it does not exist... (please, I must beg you to keep this a secret. Don't share that link with anyone else)
Belgium Doesn't Exist!

Don't forget Belgian chocolate......

It is a nice museum, I visited it a couple of years ago.

I love Belgium so please keep it afloat!

Friends of ours though living in the Netherlands send their kids to Belgian schools as education there is much better.

hmm.. i'm planning a 2 week vacation to europe next year, starting in spain. Need to add belgium to the itinerary now....

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

hmm.. i'm planning a 2 week vacation to europe next year, starting in spain. Need to add belgium to the itinerary now....

Let me know if you need a place to stay, Ben.

I am dying to get to Belgium but I'm afraid if I go there I might not ever leave.

Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

I am dying to get to Belgium but I'm afraid if I go there I might not ever leave.

Ubi bene ibi patria.