La Bécasse

La BécasseLa Bécasse
La BécasseLa Bécasse
Bar, Eatery

Taborastraat 11
Brussels, 1000
Belgium

+32 2 511 00 06 | map
alabecasse.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.12
Reviews:
31
Ratings:
56
pDev:
8.25%
View: Place Reviews
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Ratings by barleywin:
Photo of barleywin
Rated by barleywin from Missouri

4.64/5  rDev +12.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5

Oct 10, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

3.81/5  rDev -7.5%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75
Loved the antique interior and historical feel of the place. Lots of elaborate touches, the inlaid metalwork in the cobblestones at the entrance is pretty amazing in itself. Once inside, the place is fairly small and cozy. Long tables and rickety wood chairs for seating, the bar is service only. Crowd seemed to be fairly touristy.

Staff were all young girls that seemed pretty disinterested in their jobs. Not really knowledgeable or willing to talk about the beers they have here.

The laminated menu doesn't list volume, so "beer for two" means a giant 2L pitcher. We had Timmermans Oude Gueuze (the only unsweetened lambic available) and a blend of Gueuze and draft Lambic Doux. Worth a stop for the novelty, though I didn't enjoy the place as much as i'd hoped to. The lambic doux is fairly sweet. Becasse used to be an independent lambic blender, who was acquired by Belle-Vue in the 50's, then became a Brabrux brand in the 70's. It's now owned by InBev, sadly.
May 12, 2019
 
Rated: 3.86 by REVZEB from Illinois

Aug 26, 2018
Photo of Quafftastic
Reviewed by Quafftastic from Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Near the grand place but not easy to find. Lovely space for group meal and drinks, place to spend awhile that isn’t too loud or busy. Decent selection of good food and limited beer selection but more than adequate. Friendly staff. Lambic served in pottery. A nice respite from busy tourist places all around it.
Apr 18, 2018
Photo of PapaGoose03
Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan

3.93/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
If ever there was a place that was well disguised and hard to notice, this is it. A small neon sign is located on the wall high above an open doorway between a chocolate shop and a crepes place, and the doorway leads into a 'hallway' that goes to the front door of this place. Once inside, there is a large seating area with a tiny bar at one end of this space.

We chose a 'sampler' flight that offered four lambics -- three from Timmerman's and one from Brauerie Bourgogne des Flandres. The Timmerman's beers were a bit on the sweet side from what we were expecting, but we were learning our way around the Belgian beer culture, and these were all very tasty. We didn't have anything to eat, but the menu had snacks, finger foods and 7-8 entrees. I'd like to stop here again someday and explore some more.
Jun 13, 2017
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

4.01/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
This is right around the corner from Vieux Temps, in yet another barely-marked alley. It was pretty empty on a Friday night.

This is more of a restaurant/beer hall- no bar, only tables. Friendly, funny service. They specialize in Timmermans lambic, served in traditional ceramic jars (lambic doux and lambic blanc). The doux is a little lacking, but I like how they are served cask-style.

We ordered some food, nice “tartines”. They also have cold dishes and charcuterie. 35 bottles to boot. Cozy, historic, but not a must.
Jan 22, 2017
Photo of Redrover
Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
As others have commented, it is not that easy to find, but in my opinion it is worth searching out.

It is not a large space and the communal tables are very close together which can make for a lot of shuffling chairs and bodies as you squeeze through.

The service was professional and somehow managed to keep on top of the crowds.

We came for lambics and were not disappointed. Nothing like drinking great beers from those small glasses and funky ceramic vessels.

We tried to order food but it was approaching 8 p.m. and the kitchen had already taken their last orders. Keep that in mind when you head there and you should head there.

Very enjoyable stop in a great city!
Nov 29, 2016
Photo of poskok
Reviewed by poskok from Croatia (Hrvatska)

4.73/5  rDev +14.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Not so easy to find. Centre os Brussels. Two minutes from Grand Place. Limited selection od Timmermans lambics. Great ones. Really old bar, you have the feeling that everything is the same as it was 50 years ago. Easy going. They also have Cantillon Geuze. Athey have some kind of sweetened lambic which really resemble to apple cider. complex. recomment. they pour it from the ceramic jar.
recommend to visit.
Nov 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by MattMorin from Illinois

Oct 21, 2016
 
Rated: 4.15 by HopBelT from Belgium

Jul 22, 2016
Photo of Shanex
Reviewed by Shanex from France

3.93/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Hard to find but close enough to Brussels Centre.

An exceptional bottle selection and the glassware that goes along.

A must visit, if you're on a beerathon in Brussels, aka kingdom of beers.
Apr 21, 2016
Photo of tduecen
Reviewed by tduecen from Louisiana

4.78/5  rDev +16%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75
went twice and enjoyed both experiences, they have a Lambic by Timmerans that is only sold in this location from what I understand. Place was next to a waffle shop so a bit hard to find, but right there by Grand Place.
Jul 29, 2015
 
Rated: 4.33 by herrburgess from South Carolina

Jun 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.79 by CavemanRamblin from North Carolina

May 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.95 by djhowell from Wisconsin

Apr 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.15 by dabone from Washington

Mar 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by ninkasibrew from Lebanon

Feb 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.99 by Dirty25 from Germany

Jan 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by Wildepi from California

Dec 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JackNip from Delaware

Oct 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by reduction from Lebanon

Oct 21, 2014
Photo of Goalcam
Reviewed by Goalcam from California

4/5  rDev -2.9%
More of an experience as it's the oldest bar in Brussels. Really hard to find since it's hidden in the center of the city. Love the old fashioned attire inside and traditional Belgian fare. Wish the beer selection was better. They seem to focus on Timmerman's lambics.
Oct 10, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by srletend from Texas

Aug 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by cmrillo from North Carolina

Aug 23, 2014
Photo of wisrarebeer
Reviewed by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin

4.26/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
Stopped by with PurpleCloud on our tour of Belgium and had an enjoyable time at this classic cafe. The feel and look was definitely the real deal. A must visit in Brussels.

Entered via a tiny alleyway. Lively but very manageable and definitely wasn't a tourist trap.

Waitstaff wore traditional garb that was very interesting.

I had Timmermans kriek (8.10 euros) while PurpleCloud ordered gueuze (10.40 euros). We both preferred the gueuze over the kriek.

Both beers were served in traditional ceramic crocks.
Jul 31, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by kirbsicles from Massachusetts

Jul 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by MattSweatshirt from Texas

Jul 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by atpca from California

Jul 16, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by the_encinitan from California

Jul 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by erbu from Belgium

Jun 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Stevenwings from Belgium

Mar 11, 2014
Photo of GJ40
Reviewed by GJ40 from North Carolina

3.96/5  rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4 | food: 4
We stopped in based on BA reviews. This is a great little local place that seems unspoiled by tourist activity. The crowd seemed to be entirely locals. I had a Rochefort 8 and we split a mixed appetizer plate. Both were great. I felt a little out of place not speaking French but it wouldn't stop me from going back. Well worth a visit.
Jan 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by uturn from Florida

Jan 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Sparky44 from Illinois

Jan 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by BILF from Israel

Jan 03, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Sspeer1 from Massachusetts

Oct 20, 2013
Photo of youbrewidrink
Reviewed by youbrewidrink from Vermont

4/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
While in Brussels, friends took us to La Becasse for some pre dinner drinks. This is a hidden gem, no big flashy bottles, just custom blended guezues and simple bites and the perfect spot just hang out.

They have many other good beer offerings, but as other have stated, tasty local blends.

If I were a local and did not mind the parking/tourist crowd in the Grand Place, this would be a regular hang out for me.
Oct 01, 2013
Photo of WOLFGANG
Reviewed by WOLFGANG from South Carolina

4.66/5  rDev +13.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Right off the beaten path. Can elude you if you are not looking for it. That is probably why we had the place to ourselves. Go to Delirium if you want to try variety, but you'll be hard pressed to outdo the quality anywhere. Great change of pace and a must when in or near Brussels.
Jul 04, 2013
Photo of FightingEntropy
Reviewed by FightingEntropy from Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.75
I had pre-trip researched a little on A La Becasse but it was a low priority; however, I decided to make a stop based on the recommendation of Werner from Oud Beersel and the Lambic Discovery Center. I'm glad that I had talked to him, otherwise I might not have approached the place. The nondescript front is just a door with a sign that leads to a long, ancient hallway until it emerges into a dark wood interior lined with tightly spaced rows of tables. Very quaint place that feels local in spite of being very close to the Grand Place, though some were clearly tourists because I can hear their excessively loud Texas accent-laden conversation across the room.

I started with the sweet lambic, Lambic Doux. It's Timmerman's lambic sweetened and served in a traditional lambic jar and glass. A light amber ale that shines in the glass, it has a subtle sourness and an earthy tone. Sweetness balances the sour, almost, and makes for a very pleasant thirst quencher, as it says on the menu.

Moved on to the Lambic Blanc, or white lambic. Initially a foamy white head built up and fell on top of a slightly hazy, light yellow beer. It's listed as a white wheat beer on the menu, and explained as a unique, traditional Lambic that was imbibed on the farms of Pajottenland. It also has a subtle wheaty nose with a faint sourness and sugar. Sweetened as well, the lemon, wheat tang and spiciness push over the sweetness that lingers in the back. Very refreshing and complex; I can see how this was the "lawnmower" beer of Flanders. When talking to Werner yesterday, I had trouble understanding how this was Belgian equivalent of Saison, a beer to drink on the farm but this white lambic makes it abundantly clear.

The waiter was very friendly and helped me to order a vegetarian dish, a traditional cheese sandwich. It was a very thin bread that was spread with a heavy layer of soft white cheese. Radishes and onions on the side added contrasting flavors to the creamy cheese funk. For me, the cheese became a bit much by the end, but an interesting meal of traditional cuisine that is hoped for element of any good vacation. And, I have room left for a waffle for dessert on the Grand Place (eat plain to look like a local--add too much chocolate and whip cream for the "tourist" waffle).

In the end, the only negative of my stop was the really loud American. Otherwise, once I settled in, it felt like a real place compared to the craziness of the Delirium Cafe, a respite from the touristy nature of many bars in this area; it lived up to Werner's billing in every way. For any beer geek that's serious about tasting lambic in its traditional manner, A la Becasse is a must stop when in Brussels.

Pictures at http://pintsizedrevelations.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-la-becasse-brussels-belgium.html.
Jan 22, 2013
Photo of beerpirates
Reviewed by beerpirates from Belgium

3.43/5  rDev -16.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
This is a great bar for ambiance and beer. It has real old-world and back-street charm. It has a tiled floor, wood paneling and wrought iron but in an understated way. It has rows of small wooden tables packed together. The focus is very much on the beer, although food is served. Their specialty is the Timmermans Lambic Doux. It’s a quiet pleasant place. The draught beer is served in ceramic jugs with small glass tumblers.
Overal this is a nice place away from most tourists , only the service can be a bit better
Jun 02, 2012
La Bécasse in Brussels, Belgium
Place rating: 4.12 out of 5 with 56 ratings