(ot) antwerp

Trust the Guide; it's been reliable for yonks. If you need even more suggestions, post your question to the Babble Belt board (the Messages section on

Enjoyed dinner and beers at Cafe Horta last December, and made the usual visits to Kulminator and the Oud Arsenaal. 'T Patersvaetje and Waagstuk are also still worthwhile.

The train trip down to Mechelen, for a stop at Het Anker's restaurant to sample the Gouden Carolus beers with lunch or dinner, is also worth your while ... for that matter, Gent isn't far away either.

Funnily enough I was considering both those towns as well ! Thanks for your input,

But Gent is a full destination in its own right.

If I was in Antwerp I'd probably head to Turnhout for Spytighen Duvel which must be in Belgium's top ten. Beware - it opens 14:00 these days. Whilst in Turnhout try Penge at 45 Lindeken Straat - small beer list but great character.

The Boshuisje in Zoersel has character too - but restricted opening.

Lier now has a beer cafe - Bistro Den Extra, opposite station. Closed Sat/Sun, other days 0900-2100.

The De Lijn bus/tram services get you where the train doesn't reach and their day (or 3-day and 5-day) runabout tickets are staggeringly good value. The ticket is valid on the hourly Turnhout - Tilburg (Netherlands) bus where Café Kandinsky is still going strong if you want an international pub crawl.

In Antwerp itself I enjoy Groote Witte Arend which has changed hands a couple of times since GBG was published. Old building, classical music playing - unique character. For a more traditional cafe I then head to Waagstuk and/or Oud Arsenal. I never go to Kulminator these days ..... Berenbak is still welcoming but limited beer range.

David

In that case Lier now has 2 beer cafes - Babbel & Co, Zimmerplein 8 (a square off the main square), closed Mon, is well worth a visit - excellent food too.

Brian

As a 'lucky dip' try the Cafe Beveren, vlasmarkt 2. It's a decidely quirky locals bar, selling De Koninck a damn sight cheaper than the bars nearer the railway station. Quirky, in that is has a Dutch street organ type thing built into the wall connected to the jukebox. Last time we were there, there was a mass singalong in the bar to Tom Jones's Delila, closely followed by a full on Conga around the bar and through the ladies and gents facilities!! :-)

Excellent place, though it's probably best experienced after several drinks!!

We were last there several years ago, but judging by the photo's on their website, it hasn't changed much

Dave McLaughlin H*mo Sapiens Non Urinat In Ventum

De Koninck is the local beer. A *superb* session beer. It was excellent in every bar in Antwerp I visited 2 years ago. It is served in a glass called a "bollecke".

bruce

Thanks I have had That b4, I was looking for more specific information, I am going on Thursday, plans are firming, probably visit Mechlen, Turnhout, and Westmalle, plus as many places in Antwerp from Tims guide.

IIRC Mechelen's local beer is Gulden Draak, which is sold in most of the bars (I think I did 7 on the day I went). However as this is a 12% beer you will appreciate that my memory is a little fuzzy!

I understand Afspannig t'Waagstuk is still open in Mechelen. When I went they had a "hidden" beer list which contained some real rarities. I wonder if they still do?

Antwerp is a wonderful place and has loads of wonderful pubs. If het Elfde Gebod is still open you must go, it's mindboggling. It's in a road off the main square opposite the cathedral.

In Antwerp I found a bar which has never appeared in any guide, and which I cannot remember the exact name of. I think it's de Pelgrom. It's on one of the streets off the northern side of the main square, on the left hand side as you walk up. You see a room done up as it would have been a long time ago (think the little room of 't Brugs Beertje and you're not far wrong). But you can't drink there, it's a sort of museum piece. Go through the courtyard and down the steps, and that's where the bar is. It's a cellar bar, and there are about 7 vaulted brick cellars, all lit by candle light. A truly atmospheric and amazing place

Sometimes I wonder if I dreamt it.

thanks for this, Christine! indeed it is de Pelgrom [i looked it up]. i'm going to check it out soon.

Antwerpen has got to be my favourite Belgian city. luckily in live between it and Amsterdam so that's how i rotate my friday pub crawl :D

cheers

Gouden Carolus. Very nice.

Brian

You don't RC. Mechelen's local brewery is Het Anker, and it brews the Gouden *Carolus* range. It's best enjoyed at the brewery's own cafe- restaurant on the northwestern edge of the old town, or at its other cafe, 't Ankertje, right in the midst of the old town. Another great cafe, Den Stillen Genieter, is a short walk from 't Ankertje.

Brouwerij Van Steenberge in Ertvelde, East Flanders, brews Gulden Draak (Golden Dragon), which is 10.5% alc/vol.

They moved it from Antwerp?

It's amusing, and the mussels with fries/chips are a good bet, but there are better selections of beer to be found elsewhere.

Far too many by the look of it!!!

I must refrain from posting until I've woken up properly!!!