9486 DFDS Beer guide - DFDS Seaways

Take your car and discover more 

BELGIAN BEER 

TOURS

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Antwerp (page 7) 

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1 Berenbak 

2 Kulminator 

3 Het Elfde Gebod 

4 Oud Arsenaal 

5 Waagstuk 

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public domain. However, they require the following credits: 

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Bruges (page 5) 

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3 Brugs Beertje 

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Every effort has been made to ensure that all 

information including opening hours, prices, 

contact details and websites are correct at the 

time of going to press but, as these may change, 

the publishers cannot be held responsible for any 

inaccuracies. 

Telephone numbers are shown including the 

international dialling code. When dialling from the 

UK omit the (0). When dialling from the locality 

omit the international dialling code 

but include the (0). 

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Ghent (page 6) 

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1 Aba-Jour 

2 A Capella 

3 Hopduvel 

4 Prelude 

5 Trappistenhuis 

6 Waterhuis aan de Bierkant 

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Brussels (page 8) 

1 Porte Noire 

2 Brussels Gauze Museum 

and Cantillon Brewery 

3 Les Brasseurs de la 

Grand Place 

4 Bier Circus 

5 Delirium 

6 Spinnekopke 

7 Paon Royal 

8 Poechenellekelder 

www.dfds.co.uk 

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A18 

In celebration of beer 

With over a million visitors flocking to Belgium 

every year to sample the glorious selection of beers, 

this Norfolkline Guide is designed to tempt you to 

join them. 

There are well over 100 Belgian breweries ranging 

from multinationals to microbreweries, producing 

some 800 brews which are sold through countless 

bars and restaurants across the country. The Belgian 

love of beer is celebrated in the many festivals held 

throughout the country each year. 

In the UK beer drinkers divide into two distinct 

camps – the real ale supporters who tend to relish 

the various flavours of the beers and those whose 

preference is for a consistent, long drink now 

accounting for the vast proportion of beer drunk 

in Britain. In Belgium they take a very different 

view. To start with, their glasses are smaller and, on 

the whole, their beers have a higher alcohol content. 

This Guide introduces you to the story behind the 

fascinating variety of Belgian beers, how they are 

made and where you can sample them. Dunkirk 

is close to many of the highlights in the world of 

Belgian beer and we have mapped out some ideas 

for short visits to the area so you can plan your 

accommodation in advance. In addition we have 

included beer museums that show traditional 

equipment and brewing methods. You will also find 

some of the technical terms and processes used in 

Belgian regional brewing explained, to make your 

voyage of discovery more interesting and rewarding. 

Good beer hunting! 

Contents 

Understanding Belgian beers 2 

A beer quest 3 

Follow the coast road 4 

Driving information 13 

Check-out De Panne... 

Map Key 

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Brewery 

Trappist Abbey 

Beer festival 

Beer Museum 

Bar/café 

Not really a bar destination, rather more a vast expanse of beach 

where sand yacht races are held and a must if you want a dip in the 

sea to work up a thirst! Included here because Dany Pynseel-Prinzle 

runs a cash and carry warehouse specialising in beers. He sells a 

selection of Belgian beers, six to a wooden crate, which make ideal 

souvenirs or gifts. While you are there it’s the perfect place to stock 

up on Belgian beers to take home as De Panne is only minutes from 

Oostduinkirke and just over half an hour to the ferry port at Dunkirk. 

Dany Pynseel 

Drink Market 

Duinkerkelaan 45/47 

De Panne (see Oostduinkirke on map above) 

Tel: +44 00 32 (0)58 42 05 05 

Open: 09.00-12.00 15.00-18.00 

Closed: Wednesdays and Sunday afternoon. 

TEL: 08715 747242 1

2 

Image: © Tourism Flanders & Brussels / www.visitflanders.co.uk 

Explore beer types 

Understanding Belgian 

beers 

The various types of Belgian beers are categorised according 

to ingredients, production methods and flavours. We've 

crammed into these pages an insight into the main ranges 

on offer which should help to save you from choosing a beer 

that is not really to your taste or not compatible with the 

food you are eating. 

Now is the time to be brave, to experiment with different 

brews and narrow down the ones that appeal to you. 

This is an adventure full of fun and surprises! 

White beers 

These are produced from 

wheat grain and they are 

popular as light, refreshing, 

summery drinks. They 

come in dry – good as an 

appetiser – or sweet – great 

with fruit. 

Brown beers 

Roughly equivalent to an 

English brewed winter 

warmer, these beers are 

perfect alongside a hearty 

stew and, when used in 

cooking a beef carbonnade, 

give the dish a rich and 

delicious flavour. 

Red beers 

Top producer, Rodenbach, 

brews this slightly sharpish 

beer that makes a brilliant 

alternative to a young red 

wine. Generally reckoned 

to be an acquired taste. 

Belgian beers and their glasses 

Belgian ales 

Of medium colour and not 

too strong these beers are 

ideal for evenings spent 

with friends where a heavier 

brew would be too much! 

Pils 

Familiar to the UK in the 

form of brand leader, Stella 

Artois, these clear, golden 

beers have a brewing origin 

from the region that is now 

the Czech Republic. 

Make no mistake there’s a great deal to serving beer in 

Belgium. It has to be in absolutely the right glass. Every major 

brewer has a distinctive glass emblazoned with the brewery’s 

logo. The shapes vary and one, Kwak, has to be stood in a 

wooden frame! Your barman will ensure that you get your 

beer in the correct glass. 

One brand, Duvel – ‘devil’ in Dutch – has a considerable head 

on the beer and engraved in the base of the glass is the 

company’s distinctive D logo. This releases CO2 to produce a 

letter D on the top of the beer! Clever stuff and, although the 

beer is light and delicate, it conceals a heady level of alcohol 

at 8.5%. 

The variety of shapes are impressive, ranging from tulip, 

thistle, spherical bowls through Mosel wine (all with stems) 

to tapered tumblers. All of which makes drinking Belgian beer 

a rather more varied and interesting experience. 

There’s no draught-versus-bottled attitude in Belgium. In fact, 

thanks to secondary fermentation in some specialist beers, 

ageing in the bottle, resulting in increased alcohol levels and 

refined flavours, is a positive bonus. 


Saisons 

These are typical country style 

beers from the Hainault region 

of Belgium and generally hail 

from small artisan breweries 

and in times gone by were 

produced in the winter for 

summer consumption. 

Lambic beers 

From being kindred spirits 

with a fino sherry to giving 

a Chablis a run for its money 

the dryer Lambic beers are 

the most wine-like of beers. 

Lambic wheat beers include 

the Brussels Gueuze, often 

called the Champagne of 

Beers due to its similarity 

of production (secondary 

fermentation), its style and 

the fact that it has to be 

bottled in thick bottles with 

a mushroom shaped cork. 

Lambics include fruit beer 

which is a bit off the wall for 

a serious beer drinker but you 

will find cherry (kriek) beer, 

raspberry (framboise) beer 

and peach (pêche) beer along 

with many other fruit additions. 

The fruits are introduced into 

the beer after brewing. 

Abbey beers 

These are separate from those 

produced by the Trappists but 

can be of any one of the types 

listed above and tend to be 

individual, strong beers. 

www.dfds.co.uk

A beer quest 

A short trip 

The pretty, medieval Belgian 

city of Bruges (page 5), with 

its cobbled streets and redbrick 

buildings, is less than 

an hour’s drive from the port 

of Dunkirk and has five underground 

car parks. The centre is 

widely pedestrianised and the 

bars and beer museums are 

within reasonable walking 

distance. Why not book at 

least a one night stay in 

Bruges or, better still a 

weekend, and enjoy the beer 

museums and bars – not to 

mention some delightful hotels 

and excellent restaurants? This 

compact city is threaded with 

canals and bordered by rivers 

and you can add lace and 

chocolates to your indulgences 

if you wish. 

On the way back why not 

meander through the delights 

of the coast road (page 4) and 

stop at some of the specialist 

bars en route? 

A longer trip 

You’ll have naturally included 

the charms of Bruges (see 

short trip) before driving on 

to Brussels (page 8). Just an 

hour’s drive on from Bruges, 

there’s even more to discover 

about brewing and the vast 

variety of Belgian beers. The 

capital is a gourmet heaven 

with plenty of restaurants, 

bistros and cafés. Be sure to 

make time for shopping at the 

elegant Victorian glass-roofed 

Galeries St Hubert – choose 

some chocolates perhaps – 

or visiting the museums, 

including the unique Museum 

of Comic Strip Art and, as you 

may have guessed, the beer 

museums too. 

From Brussels point your car 

northwards to take in the 

various bars to be found in 

Antwerp, St Niklaas and Ghent 

(pages 6&7) before heading 

home with a boot full of beer 

bounty! 


Bars and Restaurants 

Sampling Belgian beers in their many varieties is a 

delightful voyage of discovery. Belgian bars, cafés, 

restaurants and taverns vary from plain and basic with 

amber-timbered interiors to slick, chic and stylish. If in 

doubt, follow the golden rule and check out what’s popular 

with the locals. We have selected some in the main cities 

and beer tourist towns. 

Festivals and Museums 

It is only when you discover just how many Beer Festivals 

are held each year and how many places boast a beer 

museum that you realise the importance of Belgium’s beer 

culture. Most festivals take place at roughly the same time 

each year but you should check dates via the web site 

www.visitbelgium.com Beer festivals are a short-cut to 

tasting a wide range of beers and buying some to take 

home without having to visit individual breweries. Why 

not make a festival an excuse for a short break, driving 

directly to the area in question? 

Very often you will find that the museums are incorporated 

into breweries and many of them are working examples of 

how the brewing process is done. 

Explore a beer quest 

If you take to the side roads 

and explore the countryside 

you’ll discover that Belgian 

towns and villages have a 

wealth of interesting bars 

with, maybe, less choice but 

full of rural atmosphere. With 

the freedom of being able to 

stop where and when you 

wish you’ll probably discover 

some gems of bars of your own! 

Longer or more 

specific trips 

The shrewd beer-hunter with 

more time to spare will check 

out the various beer festivals 

dotted throughout the country 

and the calendar. A quick 

browse through the options 

on the following pages will 

give you some ideas. 

Look for the pennant flag 

logo to spot the festivals or go 

on to www.visitbelgium.com 

for the latest dates and 

venues. If you find yourself 

in Belgium at the time of a 

festival why not make the 

detour? Or, better still, plan 

a visit to coincide with a 

particular festival. Very often 

the out-of-city ones may not 

be as slick but they more than 

make up for that in character. 

Pick out the bars in festival 

territory – they’re probably the 

best, even when there’s no 

festival taking place. 

Look out for the 

pennant flag logo 

to spot the festivals. 

TEL: 08715 747242 3 

Image: © Tourism Flanders & Brussels / www.visitflanders.co.uk

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Explore beer 

Follow 

the coast 

road... 

From Dunkirk take the N34 

road that follows the dunelined 

coastline. Beer based 

venues apart, the towns and 

villages that you’ll 

encounter provide attractive 

diversions that are easily 

discovered just by turning 

off the main road. 

Traditional seaside hotels 

make an appealing base, 

especially if you fancy some 

fresh sea breezes! 

De Haan 

Torre 

With miles of sandy beach, old 

style hospitality and horseriding 

in the shallows, this town is 

Belgium’s answer to Deauville. 

The Torre is unmissable – look 

for the yellow building with 

the red stripes! This arty, lively 

café offers 150 beers and 

snacks throughout the day 

and music in the evenings. 

2 Hans Memlinglaan, 

De Haan 

Tel: +32 (0)59 23 65 32 

Oostduinkerke 

Peerdevisschers 

Peerdevisschers is an oldfashioned, 

high-ceilinged bar 

next to a museum that tells 

the story of how fishing from 

horse-back is done. (Here 

shrimping is still done astride 

sturdy Brabant horses.) 

Alternatively stop off at the 

elegant Rubens with its 

summer sun terrace or the 

modern Barkentijn café. 

All have ample lists of brews 

from which to choose! 

4 Pastoor Schmitzstraat, 

Oostduinkerke 

Rubens: 442 Zeedij 

Barkentijn: 461 Zeedijk 

Middelkerke 

Iceberg 

Apart from a collection of 

400 stoneware beer mugs, 

the Iceberg café also lists 

nearly 100 beers and serves 

snack foods. Also handy for 

the casino. 

132 Zeedijk, Middelkerke 

Tel: +32 (0)59 30 48 79 

Blankenberge 

Brasseur 

More dunes, sand, sailing 

boats and sixty hotels make 

this town just the place to 

stay for exploring the region. 

The Brasseur is the towns 

beer-hunter’s haven and 

overlooks a public park. With 

a comprehensive list of beers 

including Trappist and St 

Bernardus de Dolle Brouwers 

and a good menu of snacks, 

it also has a heated terrace. 

34-38 Leopoldstraat, 

Blankenberge 

Tel: +32 (0)50 41 41 34 

Closed: Mon-Tue: Oct-Easter, 

Tue: Easter-Sept 

Open: Every day Jul & Aug 


Image: Victor van Werkhooven 

Ostend 

This major seaport is 

adjacent to 15 km of sandy 

beaches and, with plenty 

of hotels, is an ideal base 

for family holidays. 

Botteltje 

With some 300 beers listed, 

this bar is located beneath 

a hotel and has a restaurant 

specialising in fish and 

steaks. The beers include 

many from smaller 

independent breweries and 

distinctive winter brews. 

19 Louisastraat, Ostend 

Tel: +32 (0)59 70 09 28 

‘t Kroegske 

With its bizarre exterior this 

bar is fun and friendly. It’s 

small, arty, scruffy and smokey 

– but an Ostend landmark. 

Most regulars speak English! 

Sint-Paulusstraat 80, Ostend 

Tel: +32 (0)59 80 81 91 

Illusie 

This original and arty café 

also has a small theatre at 

the back of the bar room. The 

language may be a barrier to 

comprehension but you could 

be in for an intriguing evening 

nonetheless! 

19 Graaf de Smet de 

Naeyerlaan, Ostend 

www.dfds.co.uk


Bruges 

Bruges’ Fool at 

De Halve Maan 

De Halve Mann 

Top European short-break city, Bruges has all the ingredients 

for a grown-up short stay. Chocolate box architecture, good 

hotels and restaurants, super shops – especially those selling 

chocolates – and bars as lovely as this medieval city. 

See inside front cover for city map with locations and parking. 

Image: courtesy of Vlissinghe 

Vlissinghe 

De Halve Maan 

The Half Moon Brewery is the oldest brewery in Bruges, dating 

back to the 16th century. The latest creation of the brewer, 

Xavier Maes, is called Bruges’ Fool (de Brugse Zot). The museum 

presents an unique opportunity to discover the old traditional 

brewing methods in Bruges. 

Daily tours, at which experienced guides teach you everything 

about malt and hops, last 45 minutes. You’ll also get a 

panoramic view over Bruges. The tour costs €6.00 per person, 

which includes tasting the beer, Brugse Zot blond. There is also 

a grill room and, in summer, you can eat in the courtyard. 

The Half Moon also publishes the Bruges Beer Walk guide, 

a trek of discovery to Bruges’ historic sites that are linked by 

beer, lasting an hour and a half. 

26 Walplien, Bruges Tel: +32 (0)50 33 26 97 www.halvemaan.be 

Tours on the hour: Apr - Oct: Sun-Fri: 11.00-16.00, Sat: 11.00-17.00 

Nov - Mar: Mon-Fri: 11.00 and 15.00, Sat: 11.00-17.00, 

Sun: 11.00-16.00 

Vlissinghe 

Bruges’ oldest and most 

traditional café dates back 

to 1515 and the painter 

Van Dyck drank here. Good 

beers to choose from even 

if the list is less than thirty, 

small by Belgian standards! 

2a Blekersstraat, Bruges 

Tel: +32 (0)50 34 37 37 

Closed: Mon & Tue 

Image: Brugs Beertje 

Brugs Beertje 



This famous bar is a beerdrinkers’ 

heaven and, it is 

said, where the Good Beer 

Guide Belgium was conceived. 

The distinguished beer list 

tops 250 and both locals 

and visitors make for ‘The 

Little Bruges Bear’. Full of 

traditional atmosphere and 

chatty customers. 

5 Kemelstraat, Bruges 

Tel: +32 (0)50 33 96 16 

Closed: Wed 

Bargehuis 

Child friendly, this bar has 

a repertoire of 100 beers, 

including some unusual 

regionals. 

2 Bargeweg, Bruges 

Tel: +32 (0)50 96 10 00 

TEL: 08715 747242 5 

Image: Brugs Beertje

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Image: GLUE STOCK 

Explore beer 

A few words that may come in useful when 

exploring the labels of Belgian Beers 

L’orge Barley 

Une bière de garde Beer that has been laid down 

or kept 

Les houblons Hops 

Le panaché Shandy 

La pression Draught 

Le blé Wheat 

La levure Yeast 

L’etiquette Label 

Le brassage Brewery 

Fermentation basse Low or bottom Fermentation 

Fermentation haute High or top Fermentation 

Ghent 

This is a city with a history, and the buildings, with their 

illustrious facades along the Graslei quayside, date back 

to medieval times. Visit the Gravensteen Castle with its 

macabre exhibits or mingle in the bars with the student 

population, a few of whom study brewing here! 


Aba-Jour 

Derived from the French 

for a lampshade, ‘abat-jour,’ 

this candle-lit Art Nouveau 

saloon has a terrace at the 

back overlooking the river. 

Here they favour Trappist 

and lambic beers and serve 

some pretty good Belgian 

and Italian food. 

20 Oudberg, Ghent 

Tel: +32 (0)9 234 07 29 

Image: © Tourism Flanders & Brussels / 

www.visitflanders.co.uk Image: © BI - TC- Olivier van de Kerchove 

A Capella 

Aimed at the more committed 

beer-drinker, this elegantly 

porticoed house has a 

comfortable candle-lit interior 

and a terrace at the back. The 

cooking is upmarket and the 

beer list tops fifty with some 

well-chosen labels. 

33 Godshuizenlaan, Ghent 

Tel: +32 (0)9 233 77 76 

Hopduvel 

This is a quaintly-styled, old 

pub opening up into a series 

of spaces on two floors with 

walls covered in posters and 

memorabilia. Hopduvel keeps 

Image: Lucag 

Trappistenhuis 

Unsurprisingly, it’s a good bar 

for Trappist brews but also 

specialises in less common 

beers. Several rooms on two 

floors have walls covered with 

breweriana and incorporate 

a library of books about beer. 

They keep about 150 beers, 

including winter specials in 

season, and an open fire to 

match. 

164 Brabantam, Ghent 

Tel: +32 (0)9 224 29 37 

200 beers including the local 

brew, Stropken, and some 

lambics too. The food is 

excellent and can be enjoyed 

on the pretty terrace. 

10 Rokerelstraat, Ghent 

Tel: +32 (0)9 225 37 29 

Closed: Mon 

Prelude 

Handy for the weekend 

antiques market, this modern 

café is strong on Trappist and 

brown ales and has a small 

outside terrace. 

13 Bij St. Jacobs, Ghent 

Tel: +32 (0)9 225 04 04 

Waterhuis 

aan de Bierkant 

With a puppet theatre on the 

first floor, this cosy, candle-lit 

bar is very inviting. There’s a 

riverside terrace from which 

you can watch the boats, 

bikes and trams go by and 

food can be obtained from 

the adjacent ‘Eethuisje’. The 

list of over 100 beers includes 

one called ‘Gandavum Dry 

Hopping’, brewed to the 

owner’s specification. 

9 Groentenmarkt, Ghent 

Tel: +32 (0)9 225 06 80 


Image: © BI - TC- Olivier van de Kerchove

Antwerp 

Sint Niklaas 

Festival 

The Zvthos Beer Festival is held 

in March at Sint Niklaas, Eastern 

Flanders. Some 150 beers from 

48 breweries are represented. 

www.visitbelgium.com 

Shipping, diamonds and a zoo all contribute to the Antwerp 

of today. Happily for beer-lovers, the attractive Old Town is 

where you’ll find the action. Take in the museums, pictures 

by Rubens in the Cathedral and the spectacular waterfront 

in between sipping the kreiks and the gueuzes! 


Oud Arsenaal 

Pure bar, no food, but increasingly known for its landlord’s 

enthusiasm for rare and excellent ales and lambics. Typical 

Belgian décor with hints of Art Nouveau and handy for 

Rubens’ House; a popular spot with Antwerpers. 

4 Maria Pijpelincxstraat, Antwerp Tel: +32 (0)3 232 97 54 

Waagstuk 

This sixteenth century former coaching inn still has some 

original wall paintings. There’s a generous list, including 

traditional gueuzes and kreiks as well as some local beers. 

Brewed specially for Waagstuk is Zeppelin, a strong, sweet, 

roasted stout that is highly recommended. A plentiful range 

of bar snacks completes the experience. 

20 Stadswaag, Antwerp Tel: +32 (0)3 225 02 19 


Berenbak 

Slightly off-piste, this bar combines a collection of over 50 beers 

with a straightforward menu. The décor features a collection of 

over 1,000 old ties, to which you are welcome to contribute! 

17 Minderbroederstraat, Antwerp Tel: +32 (0)3 231 11 73 

Kulminator 

This star bar has a world wide reputation, largely due to its 

astonishing collection of cellar-aged beers. Some of these 

go back decades! Its current beers are equally well sampled 

and can be enjoyed in the woody interior, lit by candles and 

warmed by an open fire in winter. This is the beer hunter’s 

dream destination and time should be allowed for the experience 

– and for thumbing through the massive list of aged beers! 

32 Vleminckveld, Antwerp Tel: +32 (0)3 232 45 38 


Het Elfde Gebod 

Het Elfde Gebod 

Tucked behind the cathedral 

you’ll find this eccentric bar with 

religious statues, angels and 

church memorabilia on the 

walls, making it an original and 

appropriate place in which to 

taste Trappist and Abbey beers! 

The bar’s name is Flemish for 

the 11th Commandment which 

seems to mean ‘have a good time’. 

10 Torfbrug, Antwerp 

Tel: +33 (0)3 289 34 65 

Image: Sergio Calleja 

TEL: 08715 747242 7

8 

Image: © OPT - JP Remy 

Explore beer 

Brussels 

Belgium’s ancient capital has museums, restaurants, bars and 

a very central brewery. The shopping at Galeries St Hubert is 

superb and the chocolates are definitely worth a detour! Hotels 

are cheaper at the weekend when the politicians emigrate to 

their homes. 

Most of the interest is to be found around the Grand’Place 

and the district known as the Ile Sacré. If you want a wider 

range of things to interest you between glasses of beer, 

then Brussels is your city. 

See inside front cover for city map with locations 

and parking. 

Porte Noire 

Festivals 

Early September is the time 

to catch the famous Brussels 

Beer Weekend which is held 

in the Grand’Place. Breweries 

of every size and type are 

represented while there are 

jazz and brass bands and 

entertainment for children. 

www.weekenddelabiere.be/en 

It’s also the month to catch 

the Saint-Gilles Bruxellensis 

Festival celebrating authentic 

beers which deviate from the 

sweet and fruity yet show 

diversity and flavour. Saint- 

Gilles is just south of Brussels. 

The Grand’Place 

Once the cellars and kitchens of the Convent des Alexiens, 

this sixteenth century cellar, with its well and ice store, 

is a stunning candle-lit environment in which to quaff beer. 

There are three large rooms and with 160 typical Belgian 

beers, 11 on draught, and 60 single malt whiskies, not to 

mention rums and cocktails, it’s well worth the slight detour. 

67 rue des Alexiens, Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 511 78 37 

Image: © BI - TC- Olivier van de Kerchove 

Brussels Gueuze Museum 

and Cantillon Brewery 

M 

The living museum of the Gueuze. Experience traditional style 

brewing and taste Gueuze-Lambic beers. 

56 rue Gheude, 1070, Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 521 49 28 

www.cantillon.be e-mail: info@cantillon.be 

Opening times: Mon-Fri: 08.30-17.00; Sat: 10.00-17.00 

Les Brasseurs de la Grand Place 

Right in the centre of Brussels is the working microbrewery 

of Les Brasseurs de la Grand Place where you can buy a beer 

at the bar, order a meal and yet be in the thick of the brewing 

process. This unique establishment is open until the small hours 

every day. 

rue de la Colline 24, Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 512 28 00 

www.lesbrasseurs.eu Opening times: 7 days a week 10.00-03.00 

Image: Meaglin 

www.dfds.co.uk

Images: © Tourism Flanders & Brussels / 

www.visitflanders.co.uk 

Bier Circus 

This straightforward café is known for it’s witty circus details 

and a creative list of over 100 beers. The comprehensive menu 

includes some dishes cooked in beer, such as duck in Kreik 

(cherry beer) and knuckle of ham with mustard and wheat beer. 

57 rue de l’Ensignement, Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 218 00 34 

Spinnekopke 

Owned by Jean Rodriguez, 

who wrote ‘Cuisine Facile 

à la Bière’, this bar has a 

well chosen stock of nearly 

100 beers and features good, 

straightforward beer based 

cooking. Closed on Monday. 

1 Place du Jardin aux Fleurs, 

Brussels 

Tel: +32 (0)2 511 86 95 

Paon Royal 

Images: courtesy of Bier Circus 

This café-restaurant keeps 

around 50-60 beers with 

the emphasis on food at 

lunchtime, hosting an artistic 

clientele in the evenings. The 

family-run Royal Peacock has 

been here for over 80 years. 

6 rue Vieux Marché aux Grains, 

Brussels 

Tel: +32 (0)2 513 08 68 

Image: courtesy of Delirium 

Delirium 

The name is intriguing but the reality is even more astonishing. 

With 2,000 beers on offer, this bar is mentioned in the Guinness 

Book of Records! It also claims to stock every new Belgian beer 

it can find. It has a large basement bar and, although the food 

is limited to dozens of cheeses and dry sausages, they are very 

good. Don’t miss this special in the Ile de Sacré. 

4a Impasse de la Fidélité, Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 514 44 34 

Poechenellekelder 

Despite the puppet theme and being near one of Brussels’ tourist 

attractions, the Mannekin Pis, this bar stocks some good beers, 

both bottled and on tap. The friendly atmosphere and the 

decorations hanging from the ceiling add to the charm. 

5 rue de Chêne, Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 511 92 62 

TEL: 08715 747242 9 

Image: Michel Wal

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Image: AtelierJoly 

Explore beer 

Leuven 

Leffe Museum 

Archennes 

Festival 

M 

Shows the connection between the Notre-Dame Abbey and 

the links to the religious order and the many fascinating 

details of the brewing processes. Fabulous setting. 

InBev Global HQ, Brouweriplein 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium 

Tel: +32 (0)16 27 61 11 www.leffe.be 

Arch’en Biers Festival which highlights lesser known brews of 

the Walloon Brabant region takes place in August at Archennes. 


Liege 

The bars of a small group 

called Vaudrée are more 

likely to bring you to 

Belgium’s fifth largest city, 

although the old centre is 

attractive and there is a 

clutch of good museums. 

Vaudrée Deux 

Number two in a group of 

bars in the Liege district, 

(Vaudrée, Petit Vaudrée and 

Vaudrée Trois are the others), 

this is a surprising find in this 

busy city. With an international 

selection of beers, this bar 

also serves straightforward 

food. If you want their flagship 

establishment, Vaudrée, travel 

to 109 Rue du Val Benoit in 

the suburb of Angleur. Open 

24/7, this bar also serves rare 

Scotch whiskies and Belgian 

fruit beers. 

149 Rue St Gilles, Liege 

Tel: +32 (0)4 223 18 80 

Image: © Tourism Flanders & Brussels / 

www.visitflanders.co.uk 

Lustin 

Museum of Belgian Beers 

This museum boasts more than 15,700 

bottles and glasses of Belgian beer 

as well as beer-mats, flags, posters 

and old advertisements. 

rue des Bières Belges, Lustin 

Tel: +32 (0) 81 41 11 02 

Book by Fax: +32 (0) 81 41 37 66 

e-mail: musee.b.b@skynet.be 

www.museebieresbelges.centerall.com 

Opening times: 08.00-19.00 daily. 

Check holidays. 

Habay 

Festival 

Generally held at the end 

of October/early November 

the Brassigaume is a 

specialist international 

festival dedicated to small 

breweries. 


M 

Hotton 

Festival 

July sees the gathering of 

the breweries of the Belgian 

Luxembourg region, exhibiting 

at Hotton with tastings and 

demonstrations. 

Profonderville 

Festival 

Twice yearly, in May and 

October, the Belgian Beer 

Festival is held at Lustin, 

Profondeville. Collectables 

and beer bric-a-brac are 

supplemented by over 850 

Belgian beers and beer 

based cuisine. 

For both these festivals visit: 




Image: Jean-Pol Grandmont 

Orval 

Ange Gardien 

The famous working abbey 

of Orval has appropriately 

named its tavern, The 

Guardian Angel, where you 

can sample its beers. You 

can also buy snacks here 

and there is a shop selling 

Orval beer and local cheeses. 

3 rue d’Orval, Orval 

Mobile: +32 (0)497 41 75 11 

Closed: Mon & Jan 

Chimay 

The local Abbey at 

Scourmont markets its 

beers under the name 

Chimay so, if you’re in the 

area and want to taste the 

local beverage (no tasting 

at the abbey), this little 

self-contained town is your 

best bet. 

Casino 

Living up to its name with 

its Art Deco style, gaming 

tables and monochrome 

photos, this sassy bar does 

all the Abbey beers and 

more besides, as well as 

steaks and grills. 

27 Place des Ormeaux, 

Chimay 

Tel: +32 (0)60 23 49 80 

Erquelines 

Festival 

September sees the annual Hop Festival at Erquelinnes in the 

Val de Sambre, an all-round festival with a medley of events 

and guided tours of the local brewery. 

www.brasserie-brootcoovens-erquelinnes.be 

Image: Limowreck 

Abbaye Notre Dame d’Orval 

Image: CAMRA/Charles D. Cook 

Wellin 

Festival 

The Festival of Special 

Beers, Sohier, Wellin is a 

three day event showcasing 

over 130 beers and is held 

in February. 

www.sohier-village.be 

Mons 

War history may bring 

you here as Mons featured 

significantly in WW1 and 

WW2 and has a Museum 

of Military History. 

Image: Pierrenoel 

Image: Jean-Pol Grandmont 

Binche 

La Binchoise M 

Brewery and Museum 

See the full brewing process. 

Binchoise beers are highfermentation, 

non-filtered, 

non-pasteurised and 

re-fermented in the bottle. 

38 Faubourg St Paul, Binche 

Tel: +32 (0) 64 37 01 75 

info@brasserielabinchoise.be 

Opening times: Reservation 

mandatory 

Festival 

The Mons Festival of Beer is a 

weekend event in June, held in 

the Grand’Place with specialist 

beer producers exhibiting as 

well as the big brands. 

www.mons.be 

L’Excelsior 

This most elegant brasserie 

is a lively place serving over 

100 beers and a fine selection 

of food. Smarter than your 

average bar and well worth 

a detour. 

29 Grand’Place, Mons 

Tel: +32 (0)65 36 47 15 

Maison des Brasseurs 

Facing the Excelsior across the 

square this large, mural lined 

café is far more modest with 

simple bar snacks and half the 

selection of beers. Even so there 

are enough well-chosen brews 

to satisfy most afficionados! 

3 Grand’Place, Mons 

Tel: +32 (0)65 35 18 28 

TEL: 08715 747242 11 


12 

Image: Dr Hagen Graebner 

Explore beer 

National Hops Museum 

Poperinge 

Hop Carnival 

Home to the National 

Hop Museum, this market 

town hosts a Hop Carnival 

on the third weekend of 

September every third 

year. (2011, 2014, 2017 

etc.) So you could find 

yourself here for the 

celebrations and thirsty. 

An interesting exhibition on four floors. Full of interesting 

facts – the hop plant can grow by as much as 10cm on a 

hot June day! 

Gasthuisstraat 71, Poperinge Tel: +32 (0)2 521 49 28 

e-mail: hopmuseum@poperinge.be www.hopmuseum.be 

Opening times: Tue-Fri: 10.00-18.00; Sat-Sun: 14.00-18.00 

Closed: Some public holidays Cost: 5 Euros 

Paix 

With over 100 beers and a good selection of food, including 

steak and eel, this café-restaurant welcomes children. 

20 Grote Markt, Poperinge Tel: +32 (0)57 33 95 78 

Palace 

This family-run hotel is an ideal place to stay and, with 

around 100 beers featuring local and lambic brews, runs 

a good bar. The dining room specialises in Flemish cuisine 

and top quality beef. Check out the Palace’s own beer festival 

at the end of October but beware, it is closed for holidays in 

high summer. 

34 Leperstraat, Poperinge Tel: +32 (0)57 33 30 93 

M 

Images: © Tourism Flanders & Brussels / www.visitflanders.co.uk 

Image: National Hops Museum 

This ends the circuit of 

places of beer related 

interest in Belgium. It is by 

no means an exhaustive 

survey but, if this has 

whetted your appetite or 

turned you into a Belgian 

beer enthusiast, check out 

the CAMRA (Campaign for 

Real Ale) Good Beer Guide 

Belgium by Tim Webb 

which is full of interesting 

nuggets of information and 

many more bars. 

Pack a book 

National Hops Museum 

If you are fascinated by the 

subject, there are several 

worthwhile books on the 

beers of France and Belgium. 

The Beers of Wallonia 

John Woods and Keith Rigley 

The Artisan Press 1996 

The Beers of France 

John Woods and Keith Rigley 

The Artisan Press 1998 

Great Beers of Belgium 

Michael Jackson 

MMC 2001 

Good Beer Guide Belgium 

Tim Webb 

CAMRA 

www.dfds.co.uk

The pleasures of the 

open road 

Driving in France and Belgium is a joy to 

anyone used to the clogged up roads of 

Britain. As the kilometres speed by, you 

pass through a rural landscape that hasn’t 

changed in decades. With little effort you 

can turn on to small side roads to find a 

shady picnic spot or a town with an inviting 

restaurant. While the French and Belgians 

have embraced modern technology, they 

have steadfastly refused to let go of their 

heritage or ‘patrimoine’ and eating well is 

of great importance. 

Before you go 

Make sure you have all 

compulsory documents 

and equipment. 

Documents 

You may be asked to produce 

your documents at any time. 

Be sure that the following are 

in order and readily available 

for inspection. 

• A valid full driving licence 

(not provisional), with 

paper counterpart if you 

have a photocard licence 

• The original vehicle 

registration document 

• Your motor insurance 

certificate with cover for 

European travel 

• Your passport 

Equipment 

You must make sure that your 

vehicle is correctly equipped 

as follows: 

• GB sticker. UK registered 

vehicles displaying Europlates 

(circle of 12 stars 

above the national 

identifier on blue background) 

do not need a 

GB sticker 

• Warning triangle 

• Reflective jacket/waistcoat 

for the driver and all 

passengers 

• Headlamp adjustment 

for driving on the right 

• Spare bulb kit 

• First aid kit and fire 

extinguisher (not compulsory 

but recommended) 

Seat belts 

Front and rear seat passengers 

are required to use seat belts, 

where fitted. Children up to 

9 months old may travel in 

the front seat if in a rearfacing 

child’s seat, except 

where an airbag is installed. 

Children under 10 must travel 

in the rear seats. 

Driving on the right 

It is advisable to have an 

external rear view mirror 

fitted if you do not already 

have one. Driving on the right 

needs care and attention 

particularly at junctions and 

when negotiating roundabouts. 

The French rule of 

‘priority to the right’ (priorité 

à droite) is still relevant in 

towns where, in the absence 

of any road markings or a 

yellow lozenge on a signpost, 

drivers entering the road 

you are on from your right 

take precedence. Useful 

information on travelling in 

France and Belgium can be 

obtained from the Automobile 

Association website: 

www.theaa.com 

Drinking and driving 

France and Belgium have 

stricter limits than the UK. 

If the level of alcohol in the 

bloodstream is 0.5mg/ml or 

more (0.2mg/ml for bus/coach 

drivers), severe penalties 

include fine, imprisonment 

and/or confiscation of driving 

licence. The only safe rule is 

if you drink, don’t drive. 

SPEED LIMITS: FRANCE 

Motoring information 

Motorways 130 km/h (81 mph) 

110 km/h wet* (68 mph) 

Some motorways have tolls (Péage) and you should keep 

a handful of euros available, or you can pay by credit card. 

Two lane highway 110 km/h (68 mph) 

100 km/h wet* (62 mph) 

Open road 90 km/h (56 mph) 

80 km/h wet* (50 mph) 

Towns 50 km/h (31 mph) 

Town limits may only be defined by the name of the town 

on a white background with a red border at the start and the 

same sign with a black diagonal line through it on your exit. 

* Drivers with less than 2 years full licence are subject to wet weather 

limits. 

SPEED LIMITS: BELGIUM 

Speeding 

Both countries have strict 

limits and radar traps and you 

can be fined on the spot. In 

France speeding at 25km/h 

above the limit can lead to 

your licence being confiscated. 

On-the-spot fines or ‘deposits’ 

can be severe. 

Motorways & dual carriageway 120 km/h (74 mph) 

Open road 90 km/h (56 mph) 

Towns 50 km/h (31 mph) 

Nr hospitals schools etc 30 km/h (19 mph) 

TEL: 08715 747242 13

DFDS Seaways 

Eastern Docks 

Dover 

Kent CT16 1JA 

Tel: 08715 747242 

www.dfds.co.uk

9486 DFDS Beer guide - DFDS Seaways

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