Everyone has their own idea of paradise and for Five Points Bottle Shop owner Sachin Patel, a trip to 'beer paradise' was in order over the holidays. Traveling with local beer icon, Owen Ogletree and friends, the group set off on a 10 day whirlwind beer adventure in Belgium and Germany the day after Christmas.
One highlight of the trip was a magical stay at the beautiful bed and breakfast Het Pahillek where hosts Patrick and Hilde Gouwy-Hauspie welcomed the guests as part of the family. (Owen has stayed with them before and you can read about his 2005 trip at his Classic City Brew website). 
Behind the B&B there is also a walking path that leads to the Saint Sixtus Trappist Abbey that is the location of the Westvleteren brewery. This Trappist brewery currently brews 3 beers, in limited quantity and are only sold at the brewery itself or at the abbey-owned cafe across the street. All buyers must agree to not resell the beer. The bottles have no labels on them and have all the required information printed on the colored crown tops.There is too much to tell about every beer, every brewhouse and every new friend they encountered, so you will have to stop in at the store and ask Sachin all about it.
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