Brouwerij 't Gaverhopke

Goverhopke is among the most unusual gastropubs I've been to in my Beer Career.
How so? Consider the Vibe of a home brewer once-removed offering ales in a cafe that has their Mom 'and Pop menu served in a listed farmhouse and grain tower that is surrounded by a petting zoo of rabbits, goats, shorn sheep and suburban neighbours who seem to tolerate all this activity very well. And please don't forget the phalanx of barn cats who greet you; unsubtly hinting that your scraps are plenty good. It's all here and more on this former farm now at the edge of a small town.

The two brews I had were good; the product produced when the brewer has been working on recipes for more than this century and getting familiar with the peculiarities of his yeasts. I had a very pleasant table ale; a flowery wit suitable to this first day of Spring. Then for desert, I had their chocolatey Winterbruin, also a fitting good-bye to the season thankfully just past.

For Service.... You can't expect lots when a busload of 40 critics (a Podge's Belgian Beer Tour) descends on your home; but this husband and wife team handled us all well. You also can't expect a pub's broad appeal from a farmhouse. Selection at a small gastropub also is an act of love. So they were reduced to prepping for 40 hungry drinkers. I had a bland brie sandwich; possibly on bread baked two days ago. Call if French pub food.

All said, this was an experience worth having; but probably not repeating... unless it is a sunny first day of Spring. And that gives me a standard for optimism to live up to.

 

 

 

 

't Gaverhopke is a medium sized unassuming looking wooden hut type building in front of the Brewery, which doubles as the local Bar and the official tasting cafe. The Brewery is located near to Kortrijk, in West Flanders and was set up in 1994. Started as a hobby at first it soon turned into a business. The Bar only opens on weekends. It may also open Wednesday to Friday as well in the Summer time though, but check first. We stopped here at Easter 1999 for a Brewery tour, the Owner and Staff were very friendly and accommodating. At the time of our visit; the Café only served the Gaverhopke Beers, which were; Blond (8% ABV), Bruin 8 (8% ABV) and Bruin 12 (12% ABV).
All the beers are unfiltered, and served from the Bottle, each of which has sediment as a result. All the bottles had the same labels, so only the different colored caps revealed the contenst identity with any certainty without disturbing the beer – which led to some confusion at times I can tell you!. Food is available but is quite basic. The house speciality was a cross between a Pancake and a folded Pizza stuffed only with Ham & Cheese and other local offerings, but excellent value for money, very wholesome and filling.
Bottles are available for out-sales, they do a nifty 6 pack, 2 of each beer in a small wooden carryout. Good Value too. A friendly place, but by no means a classic Belgium Café, it's different and in the backwaters a bit - but well worth popping in though if you are out this way.