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Shiner beer
The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas has been making beer for over a century. But only in the last decade or two has it gained in popularity. Shiner’s beer (theri product name) is popular all over the US (except Hawaii) and several foreign countries. In fact, it now is the 5th largest brewery in the US.
Since we were parked nearby, we took a brewery tour, along with our friends Jack and Sylvia Napolis. It was an interesting tour, and capped off by a tasting session of the different beers they brew. Yum!
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges was a portal to The Amber Road, a trade route to the East that began in 1600 BC. Traces of human activity in Bruges date from the Pre-Roman era. The earliest fortifications were built in the first century BC, to protect the coastal area against pirates. The Franks took over the whole region around the 4th century. Viking incursions of the ninth century prompted the reinforcements in the walls and buildings.
Bruges had a strategic location at the crossroads of the northern and southern trade routes. It fostered a wool and cloth trade, growing into one of the largest trader cengters in the world. This opened a trade in spices, and also advanced commercial and financial techniques. A flood of capital soon took over the banking of Bruges. It became a major art center, attracting painters, novelists, and prominent people to settle here. But this prosperity would not last..
The silting of the local rivers and channels eventually closed the waterways, and trade dropped. The city suffered, and population declined. But In the last half of the 19th century, Bruges became one of the world’s first tourist destinations attracting wealthy British and French tourists. Now tourism is the major source of income for the city.
Bruges is known for chocolate, beer and lace. But it also has a great art history, and has the original “Madonna and Child” by Michelangelo on display in the Our Lady church. A spectacular place to visit!
The Belfry on the Grote Markt in Bruges
Colorful buildings on the Grote Markt
An almost gone skill, hand making making lace
Tower of the Our Lady church
A bridge over the canal, and swans on the canal
Canal view
Another view of the Belfry, viewed across one of the canals
The street our hotel is on
Impressive even at night
Window shopping
Government building at night
Yum! Chocolate! Check out the chocolate tools
Grote Markt buildings at night
Madonna and Child, by Michelangelo
City view, on one of the main canals
Local architecture, on the canal
Inside a local church
Harp concert, and it was spectacular!
The smallest bridge in Bruges
Old house on the canal
Evening view around the Grote Markt
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