Sponsored: Tour was provided by The Brussels Journey free of charge. The opinions expressed herein are 100% mine alone and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of The Brussels Journey.
Update 2020: The Brussels Journey is now Hungry Mary Food Tours
Read Part II Here
When I started planning my trip to Brussels, I knew I wanted to go on some sort of tour. I usually lean towards food type tours because I absolutely love to eat on vacations and trips. When I was researching and came across the beer and chocolate tour with The Brussels Journey, I had a feeling it was the perfect tour for myself, my mom and brother. We all love chocolate, who doesn’t, and I knew the beer would be right up my brother’s alley. Me personally, before this trip, would never have referred to myself as a beer fan. I like some beers and I do like to try craft beers but normally there are very few beers I actually like. However, when in the land of chocolate and beer you have to indulge in both!
Our tour guides were really amazing and friendly. They were so laid back and fun to hang out with. We started the tour by meeting up in front of Chocopolis very close to the Grand Place. The three of us were part of a group of about 16 or so people from all over. Some from the states, Sweden, France, Mexico, Belgium and a few other places so it was a nice mix in our group, and it was nice getting to chat and getting to know everyone.
Chocopolis was our first stop of the tour and it really is a cute place! On one side of the shop is the kitchen and chocolate making production. It’s only separated by a glass wall so we could see everything going on. It kind of reminded me of the original Willy Wonka movie.
Here we got to try some dark chocolate which is always my favorite and chocolate with chili. Now normally, chocolate with chili is never something I like and I’m really not into our current trend of Mexican hot chocolate either with the spices added in BUT this chili chocolate was so good!
The chili wasn’t overpowering like most and I could still taste the sweetness of the chocolate. Our guides were so accommodating and if someone really didn’t want to try the chili one, they picked another chocolate to try out.
Next up was Frederic Blondeel, another local chocolatier shop. Here we were able to try out an actual cocoa bean and learn about the bean to chocolate making process. The cocoa bean wasn’t my favorite thing but it was interesting to try. Making chocolates really is like an art form!
We also tried a champagne-filled praline that was amazing! If you’re a champagne fan, I highly suggest the champagne pralines from here. The green tea chocolate was pretty delicious too if green tea is your thing.
After our stop at Frederic Blondeel, we were off to Pierre Marcolini. This is your higher end type chocolate shop. Walking into it was more like walking into a jewelry store which I loved!
The Madagascar chocolate was so rich and delicious, and I suggest trying the earl grey tea chocolate if you’re an earl grey tea fan.
Of all the specialty type flavors, I tried on this tour the earl grey was my favorite but then again I am an earl grey tea and London Fog latte fan.
Last but totally not least was Meert, a French chocolatier in Brussels. Stepping into this shop was like stepping into Paris. The walls were lined with chocolate and teas, and they had a little cafe seating area in the back of the shop.
Here I was able to try a coconut chocolate and pistachio, two of my favorite flavors. They were delicious and I’m actually a little bummed I didn’t get to make it back here to buy some chocolates.
We went back to
Chocopolis the next day to buy some boxes of chocolates for ourselves as gifts. I bought myself a box of 32 and I’m wishing I would have bought a bigger box! Each night since I’ve been back I’ve sat down with some tea and had a chocolate or two. I’ll be super sad once the box is done but hey I guess I’ll just have to visit Brussels again sometime soon so I can indulge in chocolate.
The Brussels Journey’s tour is a great way to try so many different chocolates before committing to buying from just one place. It’s a fun tour to indulge on and not feel guilty. We got to eat tons of chocolate, walk around, take in the sights, and learn about their history. After going on this tour I can say I’ll probably never buy Godiva or Lindt chocolates again. They’re just not the same, the ingredients aren’t the same and the chocolate making process is totally different. I’ve gotten a taste of amazing chocolate and now I can’t turn back!
This turned out to be a longer post than I thought it would be so I’m breaking it up into two parts. Next week I’ll share part two – all about the beers and bars we visited!
Beer lovers read part two
here
Drop your email to sign up for my list of favorite clean beauty products and exclusive content.
Disclosure: If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may earn an affiliate commission. It’s at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this blog.
Related
I love beer AND chocolate, so I would love this tour. If I am ever in that area, I will definitely be taking this tour.
Okay I’d never thought to sign up for a food tour but now I want to do this on my next big trip! One of my favorite things about visiting Italy was the food so I’d love to see what kinds of options for this they have there!
This sounds like a dream come true! Beer and chocolate? I need to go to Brussels immediately now.
WOW! What a beautiful place. I love dark beer so I would be in heaven. I also love trying new flavors so the chocolates would be fun. I wish I could have been there!
Ok, I knew Belgium was the land of chocolate but I guess I didn’t realize it was the land of beer as well. This looks like it was such a delicious tour and even though I am not much of a beer fan, some of them looked great!
As a huge fan of both chocolate and beer I would love this! Seems like an awesome tour — great pics!
I would absolutely love to visit Brussels. I’m not into beer but I could spend an entire vacation happily eating chocolate! How fun!
My kind of traveling! I love taking food and drink tours when we visit other countries great way to learn about their local specialities. I want to visit Brussels soon!
There’s nothing like chocolates in Belgium! I wouldn’t mind giving these a try! After all, who can resist chocolates!
Looks like from your beautiful photos you had a wonderful time!! You had me at chocolate!!
OMG that chocolate bar! Belgium just gets the best foods and drinks, right? Waffles, chocolate, fries, beer… I guess I need to start planning my trip back!
I am not a beer person myself but the chocolate looks amazing! I tend to love chocolate from other countries, here in the US it’s just not the same and sometimes not as great of quality!
OMG this looks like heaven! Your pictures are stunning!
Traveling and chocolate…two of my very favorite things! I would have absolutely loved this tour and I think the Madagascar chocolate would have been my favorite; however, your pictures are stunning and really, I haven’t ever met a chocolate I didn’t like. Great post!
Wow I’ve never heard of this, but it looks like such a fun experience! I mean who doesn’t love chocolate and traveling? Your pictures are so pretty as well, very lovely post!
Oh my goodness these chocolates look delicious! I definitely want to add this place to my bucket list for places to travel, looks so fun!
I would be in heaven with all that chocolate. We’ve been to Brugge but not Brussels. It’s on my to-go list now!
My mouth is watering just looking at your photos! I’ve had the combination of beer and chocolate before and it was delicious.
Wow this looks like an amazing tour! My mouth was watering just reading your post. Looks like a great time.
My dad has traveled a lot and he always says that Brussels is one of his favorite places. I really want to visit, this place looks amazing!!
What a fun place to stop for chocolates! All the chocolates looks amazingly delicious. Love the photos too.
This tour sounds like perfection! I can’t wait to go to Brussels one day. Looking forward to part two!
Wow, this tour looks amazing! I was only in Brussels for a layover when I visited Europe – oh, how I wish I would’ve had more time to experience their famous chocolate!
This sounds amazing! I’m definitely going to look into this place when I am in Brussels! I think I would die for the champagne chocolate!! 🥂
These photos are amazing. I travel quite a bit and I’ve decided starting 2018, wherever we go, we will taking cooking classes and some sort of food/wine tour. We love to eat on vaca as well!
I would eat the whole box! I’m all about the chocolate! The more the better! lol
You got me with champagne praline. I went to Bruges on my honeymoon. We drank lots of beer and ate lots of chocolate, but nothing like this. Sitting here eating peanut M&Ms, which now seem dull in comparison.
Beer and chocolate sounds so fun. I bet this was a great tour. The photos are beautiful!
The chocolate end of the tour does sound like it was such a lot of fun. I would have loved to have seen more of the beer samplings, but this does sound awesome.
I didn’t share any of the beer in this post. The post turned out to be longer than planned so I’ll be sharing the beer half next week!
I think green tea hot chocolate sounds delicious! The truffles look tasty and I would have loved to have tried the champagne-filled pralines. The chocolatiers there seem to really take pride in the presentation of their sweets.
Beer and chocolate is a deadly combination! These photos are amazing (You made me eat Belgium chocolates that my brother gifted it to me) and I am sure you must have had an amazing time. I am looking forward to reading your story on beer sampling too. 🙂
Ahhhhhh beer and chocolate!!! Two of my favorite things!!! Would love to visit Brussels one day!
Chocolates are heaven for my family lol. This is a very cool place for chocolates. Thanks for sharing us your tour experience.