In de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst

In de Verzekering tegen de Grote DorstIn de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst
In de Verzekering tegen de Grote DorstIn de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst
Bar

Frans Baetensstraat 45
Lennik, 1750
Belgium

+32 2 532 58 58 | map
dorst.be
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.79
Reviews:
13
Ratings:
27
pDev:
4.8%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by Paisan:
Photo of Paisan
Reviewed by Paisan from Belgium

4.36/5  rDev -9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
If you're looking for geuze or lambic, this is THE place to go to. They have (possibly) the largest selection in the world of these beers, and even (diminishing) stocks from breweries/blenders that have been closed for years now. We're talking real vintage stuff here.
Only very few beer bars have lambic on tap (if they serve it at all!) - but here you'll find it.
Open 3-4 hours per week only (during and after Sunday service), so plan your visit. I for one intend to go back several times! Absolutely recommended.
Oct 07, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of Sabtos
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

4.63/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
After a moderately long bus ride just off the train from Brussels, we arrived at this fairly rural, suburban bar just before church let out. And unlike in the states, the congregants were unashamed to shuffle on over for a pint of lambic, all while some goofy cyclers straight out of the Triplets of Belleville leaned onto the bar waiting to place their order. Consisting entirely of lambic and gueuze unlike you'll find anywhere in the world, the list to order from is astounding if not overwhelming.

Being only open on Sundays, it's less stuffy than you'd think, with a mix of families and cyclists pairing some casual conversation largely with the lighter, more approachable selection of lambic and lambic "light" available, such as faro, Mort Subite and Lindeman's. The very intimate setting encourages frequent interaction despite the tough language barriers you might run into, as most people speak Dutch here, and very little French or English. We tried to practice what little French we had clumsily gotten accustomed to, as Dutch was way out of our league, so we leaned heavily on whatever American English anyone could understand.

We were at a large table with a family of ten, including three children, and tried to share a bottle of Bokke with the parents, which they quickly, and entertainingly, found too bitter. After that, we ordered from a limited time generous selection of Bofkont to pair with one of the most outstanding cheeses I've ever had, aged with gueuze. We ate a whole half chunk of it, not unlike bread, and it wasn't even heavy on the gut.

As a little bonus, we were stuck waiting at the bus stop for perhaps 20 minutes, which felt more like five as it would turn out, because the 2023 Baloise Belgium Tour would be racing right by us. What a chance encounter!
Jul 10, 2023
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5
Beautiful and sublime place, one of the best places in the world to find traditional lambic.

Rustic, warm, and cozy, the atmosphere here is the pure embodiment of "gezelligheid", or cozy & friendly feeling.

We visited during Toer de Geuze 2019, so they were understandably packed. Staff did their best to manage the SRO crowd that often camped out, blocking the bar.

A new local nanobrewery fest was taking place outside, “Payot Ale Land”, which provided much needed additional space. We ordered in the cafe and headed under a tent outside before the rain came.

Grote Dorst certainly has the best curated lambic selection in the world. Unfortunately the bag-in-box Girardin lambic had gone off, with heavy DMS and diacetyl that was likely a fluke. Bokke was premiering some new blends here the day after their event at Gebrande Winning. We split an Abrighost with our new friends from SF (shoutout to Old Devil Moon), and took in the lively atmosphere of the cafe and outdoor festival.

Can't wait to return and experience the cafe again on a less busy Sunday, and maybe not during 2 simultaneous beer festivals. ;)
May 13, 2019
 
Rated: 4.5 by xtonytx from Connecticut

Nov 18, 2018
Photo of mayaadavid
Rated by mayaadavid from Washington

4.97/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Only open on Sundays but boasting the largest lambic selection I have ever seen! Must visit spot.
Feb 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.73 by FinnishFox from California

Aug 11, 2017
 
Rated: 4.48 by YvesB from Belgium

Mar 12, 2017
Photo of CraigTravor
Reviewed by CraigTravor from California

4.81/5  rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5
As people have mentioned, it is difficult to get to this place,but one you're there it is worth it. A friend and I decided to do a 2011 run on Cantillon. It was a great decision. Definitely go to this bar. As mentioned, terrible hours.
Jul 03, 2016
Photo of Maakun
Reviewed by Maakun from Netherlands

4.93/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5
Probably the best bar I've ever been to. Amazing atmosphere, one of the best lambic cellars in the world, very friendly service. The only downside is that it's so hard to get there. The opening times are hilarious and impractical, but it would probably be impossibe to operate this place any other way.
Jun 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4.93 by HopBelT from Belgium

May 22, 2016
 
Rated: 5 by Pletser from Belgium

Feb 29, 2016
Photo of amano_h
Reviewed by amano_h from Oregon

5/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
So there are two bars that currently hold the distinction of being known as "the best bar in Belgium."

One is Café Kulminator in Antwerpen, who pride themselves on their very extensive menu of cellared Belgian beers dating back to the early 80s.

The other is In de Verzekering Tegen de Grote Dorst, whose cellar isn't quite as extensive as Kulminator or as accessible by public transportation (I had to take the bus for about 40 minutes then walk 20 minutes out in the farmlands of Pajottenland to get here) or have personalities shrouded in mystery or fables quite like Kulminator.

What "In Insurance Against the Great Thirst" does have, however, is hands down the most meticulously curated lambic selection on the planet, with their collection reaching as far and wide as the now-defunct Brasserie Eylenbosch, whose existence was wiped away from the planet after they were bought out by Mort-Subite about two decades ago. Instead of the surly and slow service (both attributable to whatever mood Dirk is in that day) you get at Kulminator, the only hamper to the service here is the fact that this place fills up quite quickly around lunch time to the point that you're jumping up and down trying to get the cellarmaster's attention.

Whereas I probably don't quite feel the need to go back to Kulminator unless I was with a big group of people, Dorst.be is someplace I can see myself going back time after time. Too bad they're only open for three and a half hours a day.

My suggestion if you're planning on visiting is to order a fresh lambic off the tap list and try the gueuze cheese and the pate. Oh and get here EARLY.
Feb 19, 2016
 
Rated: 5 by billverstein from Canada (ON)

Oct 06, 2015
Photo of olradetbalder
Rated by olradetbalder from Sweden

4.58/5  rDev -4.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
Incredible place.
Only minus with this place is that they only accept cash.
Jun 04, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by sblank from Florida

May 31, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by CavemanRamblin from North Carolina

May 17, 2015
Photo of Rifugium
Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota

4.44/5  rDev -7.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.75
I'll keep it concise, and based on my experience.
- Forget everything you know or think you know about beer bars.
- Rent a car to get here / have a DD.
- Bring cash and lots of it.
- Get there well before they open.
- Have at least 2 back up bottle plans for your first order, as the beer list will most likely not match what's in stock.
- The place fills up instantly, and when it does, there's no table service. You're on your own, and there's only like 2 or 3 staffers.
- Drink lambic with people who drink lambic.
- Realize that there are old timer locals that go here every week, not to bogart their fill of that one-off loon that's 300 years old and limited to 4 bottles, but to just socialize and sip on a bottle of Moriau on a Sunday afternoon.
Apr 26, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by desint from Belgium

Dec 07, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by spycow from Illinois

Oct 26, 2014
Photo of srletend
Rated by srletend from Texas

5/5  rDev +4.4%
Top of the bucket list for any sour beer enthusiast.
Aug 31, 2014
Photo of Kirk
Reviewed by Kirk from England

5/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
This place is truly something special, hided in the outskirts of Brussels in Eizeringen this place only opens for 3 to 4 hours a week after Church on the Sunday.

The ambiance is perfect, quiet and at time fun and upbeat. Sometimes some improv brass/jazz offs.

Service can not be beaten here, they clearly do not re this place for profit or gains but from true love of beer. Attention to deal is everything from cellaring these amazing beers, to serving them! Noticing when we had poured the last of one bottle and preparing the next to be served.

Selection is unbelievable so many world class breweries.

Food they only served a Gueuze cheese when we were there but it was exquisite.

Value i think the prices were extremely fair - They were charging 1 euro more for each year old vintage of the Lou Pepe Kriek!!!! Bargain

Overall this is a place to come and reflect on amazing beers with like minded people.
Apr 14, 2014
Photo of coreyfmcdonald
Reviewed by coreyfmcdonald from Georgia

4.69/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
This was the highlight of my trip to Belgium. It's only open on Sundays between 10 and 1:30, but it is well worth the quick trip out of Brussels (or wherever you're coming from).

A: This is a fairly rural area outside of Belgium, you walk through a neighborhood up to a small building that appears like a small store front. When we got inside around opening, it was fairly empty. However, it soon filled to a comfortable amount of people. Most appeared to be locals. The room was very comfortable with tables lining the walls with a small bar on one wall. It reminded me of a rural country store. It was beautiful.

Q: Everything was served to perfection. The aged beers we had had obviously been aged with care, and proper glassware and lambic baskets were always used. Everything was top notch.

S: The service was very friendly and helpful. We felt very comfortable in a place full of locals, which is typically tough to accomplish. The service was a touch slow, but a minor complaint to a great experience.

S: if you're expecting only lambic, the selection is unbelievable. I'm not sure if there is a better selection of lambic anywhere in the world. And for extremely reasonable prices.

V: Extremely reasonable. Everything was inexpensive.
Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by phingdong from New Hampshire

Oct 18, 2013
Photo of TurdFurgison
Reviewed by TurdFurgison from Ohio

4.86/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
I'd been looking forward to this visit for some time. Inconvenient hours but this is actually part of a family's home, and they have jobs during the week which are a first priority. In any case I think it's a good thing, as it makes for a special visit.

I got there about 1/2 hour after they opened, found plenty of seating available with only 12 or so people inside. I counted 8 tables, with lots of seats, maybe for up to 60 or so people. Wonderful decor, tile floors and beautiful wooden rafters, one of which was full of hops vines.

The bottle list is very nice, ranging in price and vintage from affordable to extremely pricy. Some examples of what was available:
3F Oude Gueuze 1999, 2002, 2007, Vanentijn Cuvee
3F Schaarbeekse 2004-2010, Hommage, Millenium Gueuze
Eylenbosch Oude Gueueze 1984, 1988
Several house gueuze (also kriekenlambiek)
Tons more from De Cam, Cantillon, Girardin, etc etc.

I stayed for hours, enjoying the quiet mix of locals and near-locals coming and going while the churchbells occasionally chimed. I had a nice chat with Yves who then introduced me to a new friend from Duisberg. We sat and talked lambic throughout the morning, and I got to try his own Gueuze blend (incredibly tasty).

A very special place overall, dedicated to the love of Oude Gueuze and Oude Kriek. I'll try very hard to make it back sometime.
Mar 26, 2012
Photo of Thorpe429
Reviewed by Thorpe429 from Illinois

4.86/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
When Amy and I visite Belgium, we couldn't wait for Sunday to roll around so that we could finally hit this spot. It was worth the wait.

We got there right when they opened on Sunday and were the first ones inside. The place is fairly small with seating for maybe 40-50 people. There are some round wooden tables off to the right and benches to the left. The bar is on the far right. Just before the bar is the entrance to the cellar (which they so graciously let me have a peak into) and an assortment of lambic baskets.

The decor all appears to be fairly old, with plenty of of old lambic collectibles and bottles hanging on the walls, plus a string of the ever-present aged whole-leaf hops hanging in the back.

The quality and selection are superb. There are plenty of new and vintage offerings from Cantillon, De Cam, Drie Fonteinen, Girardin, an others plus a few retired beers from closed brewers. For the most part, proper glassware from each brewery is used. If not that, you'll receive a nice, small tumbler etched with the bar's logo, which you can purchase for a small amount.

The service is unparalleled. Both Yves and Kurt were incredibly friendly, knowledgable, and hospitable. Both chatted with us about lambic and the region for awhile on each of our visits.

Finally, it is difficult to not love the locals, who come in after church to sip on lambic or coffee and chat. Everyone was quite chatty and asked my wife and I questions about our trip, and on the final day, one generous gentleman even insisted on buying us a bottle of gueuze.

This place is a must visit. If you are headed to lambic country, make sure to clear out your Sunday morning and afternoon for a trip to Grote Dorst.
Feb 28, 2012
Photo of ManforallSaisons
Reviewed by ManforallSaisons from Belgium

4.84/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
In de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst (and that's how the bar capitalizes the name on official publications) calls itself a 'traditional Payottenland lambik beer cafe,' deservedly so for how the Panneels brothers have maintained a village pub atmosphere despite their growing role as curators and advocates of the local lambics. Villagers outnumbered beer hunters today and they amiably shared tables plus a bit of chitchat. The menu offered about any lambic-based beer I could think of and a deep roster of unfamiliar ones. Some of the rarities and vintages noted in earlier reviews, such as from the defunct Eylenbosch, remain on offer. Without a group to share a big bottle, I stuck to a draft Girardin lambic and a Moriau gueuze. Sampling of the draft products seems to be encouraged. Co-proprietor Yves promised there are more finds in storage not yet represented on the printed menu. There is a small selection of standard non-lambic beers (Hoegaarden, a range of Duvel-Moortgat products, Westmalle, Orval), liquors and soft drinks, and they are certainly well used by the locals. (I was torn about how to rate the selection, before deciding that a well-curated list of locals is a mark of excellence.) The hours remain 10am-1:30pm on Sundays, plus some holidays and for funerals in the neighboring church, but the cafe also can be rented for private parties and the Panneels family seems to be adding to their calendar of special events.
Dec 19, 2010
Photo of erkaneva
Reviewed by erkaneva from Washington

4.3/5  rDev -10.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5
"Insurance Against Great Thirst"
It is early Sunday morning and we are rolling off the Ferry from England. We had heard of this place in Eizeringen and that it was open only on Sundays so we had best find it. We walked into the place at about 10am finding a couple locals enjoying the morning and Kurt & Yves Parents running the place. After some attempt at comminication we discovered that they did not accept credit cards. They generiously offered to drive us to the closest cash machine in town so we could recharge our wallets.
After that we started with a Girardin Fondgueuze and then finished with a 1991 Eylenbosch Gueuze (Blender is no longer in operation). They offer a good selection of Payottenland beers.

At noon the Church crowd showed up for their "after worship" white port.
Very hospitable hosts and nice atmosphere.
They also host a Lambic Festival at the end of May that would be good to mark the calendar.

Their website: www.dorst.be
Oct 30, 2005
In de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst in Lennik, Belgium
Place rating: 4.79 out of 5 with 27 ratings