#1) Kulminator, 32 Vleminckveld, Antwerp

My favorite from my first trip and remains my favorite. Owners Dirk Van Dyck and Leen Boudewijn are two of the greatest beer lovers and servers in all of Belgium. For those interested in historical facts, Dirk and Leen opened a ‘wine bar’ in 1974, a year after their marriage. The wine bar, Bodega, was located in Kiel just south of the city center. After a short time Dirk and Leen saw that they weren’t drawing the business they had hoped for and soon started diversifying into beer. The beginning draw was the fact that Dirk and Leen would spend one day of week looking all over Belgium for special beers that weren’t readily available in the Antwerp area to serve in their café. Soon after, they were treated to a 10-year-old bottle of Chimay Blue and decided that cellar ageing beer would be part of the draw of the café. Soon the business grew and Dirk and Leen decided that they needed to move to a larger building, which they did in 1978. Dirk struck up a deal with the German brewers of EKU28 beer to be their sole importer and this beer was the original flagship beer of the new bar. EKU28 beer is also known as ‘Kulminator’.

#2) Brugs Beertje, Kemelstraat 5, Brugge

Number two on the list would have to be ‘t Brugs Beertje or Brugge Little Bear. Husband wife team Jan De Bruyne and Daisy Claeys opened the Little Bear in 1983 just a few blocks off the Markt in a building dating from 1632. Today, a trip to Brugge would not be complete without a visit to this great café. The beer list usually has between 200-225 different beers with 5 on tap (van de vat). The café itself has a personality of it’s own. Vintage beer advertising covers almost all the available wall space and the nicotine stained walls and ceiling adds to the ambience. Daisy is one of the most knowledgeable individuals when it comes to discussing beer and if she gets busy (which she pretty much always is) there will always be someone in the café that would be pleased to start up a conversation with you. I have seen Daisy alone in the café serving upwards of 50 patrons, but always with a smile and a moment to greet visitors and recommend a beer.

#3) Kroegske, 35 Vijfwegenstraat, Izegem

Number 3 position goes to Nadine and Danny and their Kroegske café. I will admit that this is one of the hardest bars to find but well worth the search. The dimly lit bar is home to over 450 beers including many vintage cellared beers. There is antique brewerania all around the bar as well as potted plants and candles. It has a very homey feel. They do not allow cigars, pipes, dogs, babies, and pilsner or wheat beer. Children are allowed but only if they are quiet. Kroegske also offers traditional Belgian dishes including some prepared with beer. Kroegske is not open Monday through Wednesday and in the evenings only the other days.

#4 Garre, 1 De Garre, Brugge

Between the Markt and the Burg, down a small alley, Garre is usually my first stop in Brugge. In a small building that dates from the early1700’s, Garre is full or ambience. All beers are normally served with a small plate of complimentary cheese which pairs well with any selection of the 150 different beers. They do have some vintage beers, but are usually too busy to deal with this. They do have an excellent selection of harder to find regional selections and a good selection of Trappist and Abbey beers. They also have a house beer, Garre Tripel that is brewed by VanSteenberge and ranks in the top 5% of my favorite beers. Nice flowing classicalmusic is usually the background music but can’t be heard too easily over the crowds that are usually present.

#5) Becasse, off 11 Rue Tabora, Brussels

I might get some feedback on this one, but it’s my list. It is about 3 blocks off the Grand Place towards the Bourse (Stock Exchange). They don’t have a huge beer list and no vintage beers; but I love this place and a trip to Brussels is not complete without a visit. Please don’t get me wrong; there are dozens of fantastic pubs in Brussels but this one does something for me. It is truly a traditional Belgian Gueuze and Lambic café. The waiters are wearing traditional aprons and the Gueuze and Lambic is served in traditional ceramic crocks.

#6) Hopduvel, 10 Rokerelsstraat, Ghent

Another classic and another one that is hard to find. There are numerous cafes in the Ghent city center but Hopduvel is about a 30-minute walk away from the center. I strongly suggest taking a taxi. The Hopduvel appears very small from the outside but once you enter it grows. The front bar is to the left of the entrance but there are numerous rooms on 2 levels to sit and enjoy great beer and great people. I always find new people to chat with while here. They stock over 200 beers and do have some older bottles but do not advertise the fact. This place breathes ambience. Enjoy!

#7) Spytighen Duvel, 99 Otterstraat, Turnhout

About 3 blocks off the main square, this great pub dates from 1740 and just feels old. The beer list hovers around 300 with some unusual finds. They basically have a great selection of all styles of beer as well as a nice range of genevers, liquors and single malt whiskeys. Stef and Dirk are great hosts and will help guide you through the beer list. They do have some vintage beers but will usually only offer them to certain patrons that appear to know their beers.

#8) Mort Subite, 7 Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potageres, Brussels

They don’t have a great beer selection, but this place feels like history. Very stiff waiters serving lambics, gueuzes, Trappist and other great beers. Service is slow but this is a bar that I think about often when thinking about Belgium.

#9) Paters Vaetje, 1 Blauwmoezelstraat, Antwerp

This great little café is in the shadow of Our Lady Cathedral’s shadow. Don’t visit early in the day; it tends to be very quiet. Later in the evening it fills up and is a very loud and thriving place. They have a great selection of about 75 beers and can tend to get a bit cramped, but makes for meeting new friends.

#10) Delirium, 4a Impasse de la Fidelite, Brussels

When I had to choose #10, it was very difficult. Delirium is a relatively new café, but is in a very old cellar and had the feeling of being old. The main claim to fame is their beer ‘list’ of over 2100 beers. The ‘list’ is an attempt to be the world record holder of the largest beer selection, so to do this they have beers from all over the world. They do have one of the largest selection of Belgian beers, but since they attract such a large tourist crowd, they charge accordingly; they are very expensive.

The Delirium Café is in partially owned by Huyghe Brewery, the brewers of the Delirium range of beers as well as 40-50 other excellent beers.