Please keep a couple things in mind if the direct-from-Belgium route looks like a good one to you.
   One, some counties in some states have and enforce archaic laws that prohibit possession of alcohol regardless of where it came from. If this applies to you, you are taking a risk no matter how you acquire alcohol.
   Two, I can't stress enough how important it is to support our importers when possible. Having to get alcohol into the country, then distributing it to states with different laws regarding alcohol and labeling is not a job I would want. Dealing with a grossly unfair marketplace, brewing giants who want you gone, bureaucracy and - in some cases - the societal stigma of being a form of drug dealer is what they put up with to bring us great beer.

Local Retailers
   Obviously, the best case scenario is finding a retailer within a few miles that carries Belgian beer. This is not always possible as many states have bazaar laws limiting or prohibiting some beer. Ohio, for example, protects it's residents from beer above a certain ABV. This removes most Belgian beer from the shelves. Oddly, vodka is not considered a problem. This situation is improving though. Florida required beer be sold in bottles that parallel the sizes of beer sold by Budwieser. Belgians tend to be metric, bottle capacities equaling 11.2 oz. are common. This state let in a true ray of sunshine though when its legislature voted to repeal this unfair law.
   Lastly, I read a story in an issue of the Global Beer Network's newsletter about a guy from a dry county in Georgia. He bought alcohol in a store outside his county and brought it home. The store clerk saw he was from the next county and alerted the authorities who were waiting for the poor guy. Yes, beer can be had via the mail, but please don't let this happen to you. If you live in a dry county, move!
   California, a state that is proud to be national trend-setter, is putting tremendous pressure on small businesses that deal in alcohol by prohibiting them from perfectly legitimate forms of promotion. Of course, if you are a huge, mass-produced beer you don't do tastings and need no directory cause you'd be sold everywhere anyway. Wherever could these laws that cripple tiny beer sellers who need to promote come from? Obtaining info about finding beer in CA is getting harder. If you want to find out who sells the stuff I am compiling a list of retail outfits and pubs that you may find useful. If you would like to contribute to this, please let me know.

Trans-state Retailers
   Your home state's government may be crapping all over your rights and declaring legitimate products illegal but don't assume it's that way everywhere. Perhaps a neighboring state has more reasonable laws and you never realized it. In the event your state government wants to pour watery pils down your throat, find out what the rules are yonder. If you live somewhere near a border it just may work out that a pleasant road trip could hold the reward of the fine beer discussed on this site. An hour drive can save lots in shipping, particularly if you buy en mass.
   I am perusing information regarding liquor laws and will post it as soon as I have it and have figured out how to present it.

Domestic US Mail Order
   There are a couple of options here, spanning the US. In the east, Vintage Cellar in Virginia provides a shipping service that I have used and can recommend. Their Belgian stock is posted on their website, take a look. A couple of years ago I saw on Vanberg& DeWulfs website that some Boon Marriage Parfait Framboise came into the US in very limited quantities. I called them about it and they directed me to Vintage Cellar. I called Vintage Cellar and arranged for 6 bottles to be sent to me. When it arrived I opened the box and saw that it was a 1986 vintage! That was possibly the best beer-related surprise I have ever had! Needless to say, I immediately re-ordered!
   Also in Virginia is Bon Vivant, located at 1504 S. Church St. in Smithfield. E-mail or call for info 757-365-0932.
   Thanks to Peter Keenan for sharing the names of two places in the Chicago area that also ship. Binny's on 5100 Dempster St in Skokie, IL and Sam's Discount on1720 N. Marcey St. Chicago, IL 312-664-4394.
   For those more comfortable doing mail order from the west, Belmont Station in Portland, Oregon (1-888-892-2337) offers not only Belgian beer but beer paraphernalia and an unusual collection of British foods.
   If you know of other retailers that offer this service, please let me know, I will pass the info along.

Non-US Mail Order
   The only option here that works, and I have tried several, is a place called www.belgianshop.com. Shipping is pricey but not outrageous as have been the other options I have explored. The positive side is the per-bottle price is what we Americans would consider to be dirt cheap. This does not make the cost balance out, but it does help a lot.
   This source began selling via a website in the first part of 1998. Since then the site has gone through great, and painful, change. Finally, in the first few months of 1999 the engine driving the site was polished and the ordering process became painless.
   I have personally used this service several times. Orders take about 2 weeks to show up, and since a packing charge was added I have not had any breakage. When you see the packing job you will see why it warrants an additional fee. All and all, if you order around 30 bottles it will average around $5-$6 a bottle for something in the 9-11 oz. range. This is generally more than you would pay for something to be shipped domestically, and certainly more than over-the-counter purchases, but the reward is a selection not limited by import availability. For the true enthusiast who lives for a fridge full of rare beer this place is a Godsend!
   Please keep in mind, if you buy beers from them that can be had here, not only are you likely paying more for the same thing, but you are taking business away from our importers.
   If you are not sure about the import status of a beer, this site can help. The landscape changes quickly, so my database is not perfect, however it is close. VanBerg & DeWulf, The Global Beer Network, Merchant du Vin, or any of the other importers of Belgian beer might have your dream brew covered, check here first. You can also look for beers by name or style. This site is non-profit, so I am not benefiting from your visitation.