Breweries & Bars in Antwerp & Environs

Breweries & Bars in Antwerp & Environs

Antwerp

Breweries

De Koninck. Antwerp's last remaining brewery is hidden between a crisscross of heavily trafficked roads. Things were quieter at the beginning of the 19th century, when Joseph Deconinck bought De Plaisante Hof (The Pleasant Garden), originally an inn, and turned it into the brewery that soon became Antwerp's pride and joy. Arrange visits by phone or Internet at least one month in advance; you'll get a general introduction, take a tour of the brewery, and taste two beers. [. 291 Grote Steenweg, Middelheim. 32/18-40-48. www.dekoninck.be. Mon.-Sat. by reservation

Moortgat. "Shh, we're having a Duvel" reads the sign outside this ultramodern industrial brewery. Moortgat has produced its signature strong (8.5%), foamy, blond beer -- along with six others -- since Albert Moortgat began importing yeast from Scotland in the 1920s. You'll find Duvel (Devil) in almost every café in Belgium; the name's meaning will become clear after your third glass. Groups of at least 10 can reserve a tour. Breendonk is situated along the A12 motorway between Antwerp (23 km [14 mi) and Brussels (27 km [17 mi). The Fort van Breendonk is along the same road and worth a detour. [. 58 Breedonkdorp, Breendonk. 03/860-9400. www.duvel.be. EUR 4. Weekdays

Where to Drink

Bierhuis Kulminator. This famous Antwerp bar pours 550 different kinds of beer, including EKU-28, known as the strongest beer on earth.[. Vleminckveld 32-34, Oude Stad. 03/232-4538. Closed Sun.

'T Waagstuk. In a 16th-century warehouse near the river Schelde, this modest-looking café, with a red-tile floor, wooden tables, and a canopy of beer glasses hanging from the ceiling, has welcomed beer lovers since 1983. In addition to serving many specialty beers, they organize seminars for beer devotees.[. Stadswaag 20, Oude Stad. 03/225-0219

Mechelen

Mechelen (Malines in French), north of Brussels, is a small, peaceful gem that has preserved its medieval and Renaissance past but that, unlike Brugge, is never overrun with tourists. As the residence of the Roman Catholic Primate of Belgium, it's an important ecclesiastical center. It's also a center of vegetable production: the town and its environs are known for witloof, the Belgian delicacy known elsewhere as chicory or endive, and asparagus, whose stalks reach their height of perfection in May.

Brewery

Het Anker. The first document referring to the brewery dates from 1369, making it one of the oldest breweries in Belgium. Touring this small, intimate brewery, the birthplace of Mechelen's pride and joy, the dark, sweet Gouden Carolus (Golden Charles) beer, you can witness every stage of the beer-making process. Tours in English, for a minimum of 12 people, must be arranged in advance. The brasserie next to the brewery serves five different kinds of Gouden Carolus and several beer-seasoned dishes at affordable prices. In 2005, they introduced a new beer created especially for women, the Margriet. A modest 22-room hotel is part of the brewery complex, so devoted beer fans can spend the night (EUR 93).[. Guido Gezellelaan 49. 015/20-38-80. www.hetanker.be. EUR 3.50 with beer tasting, EUR 8.70 with beer and food. Tours only by appointment

Where to Drink

Borrel Babel. The smallest café in Mechelen is in the charming Sint-Romboutshof, behind the cathedral. Different varieties of jenever are the potent specialty.[. Nieuwwerk 2. 015/27-36-89

Also Worth Seeing

Sint-Romboutskathedraal. Completed in the 1520s, this cathedral represents a magnificent achievement by three generations of the Keldermans family of architects, who were active in cathedral building throughout Flanders. The beautifully proportioned tower, 318 feet high, was intended to be the tallest in the world, but the builders ran out of money before they could reach their goal. Inside are two remarkable 40-ton carillons of 49 bells each. Carillon playing was virtually invented in Mechelen (the Russian word for carillon means "sound of Mechelen"). The best place to listen to the bells is in the Minderbroedersgang. Chief among the art treasures is Van Dyck's Christus an het Kruis (Crucifixion) in the south transept. The remains of the cathedral's namesake, Sint-Rombout (St. Rumbold), are hidden in the high altar.[. Grote Markt. 015/29-40-37. Apr.-Oct., daily 9:30-5:30; Nov.-Mar., daily 1:30-4:30; check tourist office for tower tours; carillon concerts Sat. and Mon. 11:30 AM, Sun. 3 PM

To & From Mechelen

Mechelen is situated almost exactly between Brussels and Antwerp. By car it is easy to reach from both cities via the E19 highway. Hourly trains from Brussels get you there in 20 minutes.

Westmalle

One of the main attractions of the vast Campine region to the northeast of Antwerp, the rich woods and fields of Malle (the municipality made up of Oostmalle and Westmalle) draw thousands of cyclers and walkers each year. Bikes can be rented close to the abbey at Eikelspark (Antwerpsesteenweg 506. 03/383-0958). At Arnauts (Molendreef 9. 03/312-3269) you can take a tour through Malle on a hooded wagon. However, most visitors to Westmalle come because of the abbey's internationally renowned Trappist beer.

Brewery

Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. A magnificent lane, bordered by oak trees, leads you from the highway to the beautiful abbey. Founded in 1794, it owes its fame to the brewery where the famous Trappist beer has been made since 1836. Fruity and spicy, the red-brown Dubbel (Double) is the only Trappist beer available on tap (all others are bottled). The creamy, golden Tripel (Triple), called the mother of all Tripels, was the first of its kind in 1934. A sign on the door warns that the abbey is "only accessible to relatives of the monks"; however, individuals looking for a silent retreat are welcome and should contact the gastenbroeder (guest monk).[. Antwerpse steenweg 496. 03/312-9209

Where to Drink

Café Trappist. Across the street from the abbey is this large brasserie, where you can order enormous plates of Trappist cheese to accompany your beer. Cheese and beer are for sale for take-away or to eat in the restaurant (as are regional maps with bike and walking routes). The brasserie will be completely renovated during 2006, so call ahead if you'd like to visit.[. Antwerpse steenweg 487. 03/312-0502

To & From Westmalle

From Antwerp, take the N12 in the direction of Turnhout for 26 km (16 mi); the abbey of Westmalle will be on your left. From Brussels take the E19 highway to Antwerp, get off at exit 6 and follow directions to Turnhout, which will lead you to the N12.