Which was just reward after I turned a 20 minute walk to our hostel into an hour long walk as the directions I'd written disintegrated in the pouring rain.
Following our pastry fill we picked up a few take-aways from a very good bottle shop, L'abbaye des Saveurs, which stocks an impressive collection of local brews. The Vielle Brune in particular was exceptionally "drinkable" - a lovely amount of tartness to it.
And that night we hit up La Capsule for more local brews, the Black Kaou 't from Brasserie du Caou being a wonderfully satisfying night cap. The cosyness of the bar and its diverse clientele meant a few hours passed by very quickly.
The next morning we were off again on the hunt for more pastries. We splurged on the two creations below from Patrick Hermand that actually blew our minds - this is baking perfection embodied.
On the way back to our hostel we dropped into La Petite Cour for the meal of our trip so far. Half a dozen creamy, garlic escargot with a bloody great steak tatar paired with some French wine - mind blowingly good. The best steak tatar we've ever had. Our French experience was complete.
To celebrate we headed to Hop's Cafe and Nix proceeded to get herself extremely merry on 8.5% Delirium Rouges. My ears were well and truly chewed by time we got home.
I also had the beer highlight of my beer life - De Dolle's Still Nacht. I've waited a long time to have this and it surpassed all expectations. So much figs, prunes and stonefruits. The perfect winter beer. I just hope that's not the last one that I have.
So, Lille was great but the following day, the best so far!
The Barrie-ometer of Feel - exceptionally "drinkable"
Pug Sightings -
The Beers
Brasserie Thiriez Vielle Brune
La Charlotte Ambrée
LaBelle Série Noire, Super Power
Mascott Ambrée
La Chope Belgian Style Ale
Chimay Rouge
Cagliari Bon Secours Myrtille
Brasserie du Caou Black Kaou 't
Brewdog Punk IPA
Delirium Rouge
Akio T Préambule
Les 3 Four quels Lupulus
De Dolle Still Nacht
