In a country the size of Delaware with over 200 breweries, one can become overwhelmed on a first visit with the staggering selection of choices. Currently there are over 1,200 different beers available in Belgium.
So where does one go to find the best selection?
First I would like to point out that grocery stores such as Colruyt, Delhaize, Lidl and Aldi are where the locals get their beer. It is also available at the Carrefour department stores (similar to Wal-Mart). All offer a decent selection of the mainstream beers at great prices and at a great savings over the ‘touristy’ beer shops.
But for the best selection of the more obscure beers one needs to get creative.
Please be aware that many beer shops in Belgium do not accept credit cards.
Also, check the web sites for opening days and hours.
#1) In De Vrede, Donkerstraat 13, 8640 Vleteren, Belgium
OK, this is a bit of personal belief…but In De Vrede does carry the best beer on the planet; and while it is hit or miss if you will be able to buy any when you arrive…I still feel great when entering this great cafe. They have a varied Gastropub menu with something for everyone and always have all 3 Westvleteren beers available for on-site consumption. If you happen to be a lucky one, they might have either the 12, the 8, or the blond available in 6 packs for carry away and they usually will have an assortment of Westvleteren glasses, beer mats and other great gifts as well. Please know that they do not always have beer for purchase.
Note!! They are always closed Fridays and are closed sporadically throughout the year! Check their website for closed days before driving there.
#2) Struise Beer Shop Woestendorp 14, 8640, Vleteren
Yes…I am biased as De Struise beers are some of the best brewed beers on the planet and the Struise ‘family’ are like part of my family. They not only offer very rare De Struise beers, but also carry some of their spirits as well. The shop is usually only open on Saturdays.
The picture was taken in the Burg in Bruges…the beer shop is in the area that is shining so bright…just to the right of the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
#3) Etre Gourmet, Chaussée de Wavre 504, 1390 Grez-Doiceau, Belgium
I have been a customer with Etre Gourmet for many years. They always have a great selection of all styles of Belgium beers and usually have many lambics and gueuzes available as well as a good selection of De Struise bottles. They usually ship within 48 hours and have great customer service.
#4) Prik en Tik Drankencentre Various Locations
Prik en Tik drink centers carry a fantastic selections of Belgium beers in all categories. They have locations in Zomergem, Aalst, Furnes, Arendonk, Boutersem, Lommel and Baerle-Duc. You will be hard-pressed to not be able to fill your car with everything you need at one of these locations.
#5) Bierhandle Willems, Leopoldstraat 26, 2280 Grobbendonk
Louis Willems started out as a beer rep for brewery Roman in 1962 and after selling their beers for many years decided that he would like to open a beer shop. The shop opened in 1983 as a local discount beer shop. When growth continued over the years they found it necessary to build a newer and larger center in 1995. Today they offer over 850 different beers and a recent visit found a few dusty bottles on the shelves. (Well, not dusty in the clean sense – but vintage.) Grobbendonk is not near any typical tourist centers, so you will need to drive to visit; but the drive is worthwhile. Closed during lunch and Sundays.
#6) Pelgrims, 117 Langdorpsesteenweg & Lindekensstraat 21, Aarschot
This show was known previously as Jan Holemans; but Jan retired in 2007 and sold the place to another shop around the corner owned by Marc Pelgrims. Jan’s son now works for Pelgrims. This place is amazing! It is a bit hard to find, but well worth finding. It is right off the center of town on a very busy street and very easy to miss. There is a small entry into the smallish parking lot and the entrance does not provide a clue as to what lies inside. Once you clear the doors and the checkout area you view a long aisle of beer after beer. Walk another 25 feet and a large room opens to your left, also full of beer. This is Beer Nirvana. A huge warehouse with almost every beer one could imagine and at wholesale prices. Over 500 beers available. They also sell glasses, wine and a full range of jenevers and liquor.
#7) Noel Cuvelier’s, 30 Abelstationsplein, Poperinge
Noel’s isn’t the one of the largest nor does it have the best selection; but I love shopping here. Noel’s is off a main road on the way to France from Poperinge. (It’s about 5 miles outside of town.) The sign is very small so watch on the right for an old barn looking building with a large hedge of trees and lots of cars. Drive down the small lane and enter. Noel has over 300 beers and one will find many regional specialties here as well as some old weird beers from time to time. They don’t take credit cards.
#8) Drinkcenter Bierland (Dranken Vercammen), Neerstraat 83, Hamme (Vlaanderen), 9220
This is a very large and modern looking beer center and is right off the main road going through the town of Hamme. It is about 3 miles off the E17 and about 14 miles from Antwerp. I would recommend travelers to try to get out of Antwerp if trying to shop for beer, or look in the numerous, but very well disguised grocery stores if there is no way to get out of Antwerp. If you only want a few, fine. But if stocking up, I’d rent a car or take a cab. This shop has about 600 different beers; mostly mainstream, but they carry most of the Trappists and some regional beers.
#9) Bierhalle Deconinck, Bossstraat 37a, Anzegem
A huge drink center that carries over 1200 different beers, wines, liquor and food products. This place is massive and if visiting, plan to spend quite some time there. It is very near to Kortrijk and Roeselaare.
#10) Brasserie Vanuxeem, Rue d’Armentières 150, 7782 Ploegsteert
As close to the French border as you can get and south of Leper, this shop is really like a wholesale drink center with over 850 beers available, but they do sell to the public. Very low prices and large selection. A shoppers delight.