Le Poechenellekelder
Reviews: 61
| Ratings: 96
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by BEERchitect:
BEERchitect from Kentucky
4.33/5 rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Just a few blocks from Brussels Grotemarkt plaza and onto a fairly prominent alleyway, an intersection that's marked by a statue of a black marble toddler peeing into a fountain and a street vendor of escargot tells me I'm close. I peer slight upward and leftward and see a faded sign that denotes the bar. On this most pleasant late April afternoon, I expect the exceedingly crowded patio to also resonate inside.
But up the narrow staircase and into the upstairs space reveals enough patrons to keep it lively but not enough to repel the group of nine of us who were thirsty and in need of an afternoon snack. A quick read of about 50 beers (eight or so on tap) lead me to the Watou Tripel from St. Bernardus brewery. As an accompaniment to the artisanal cheeses, meats, and mustard that was delivered I wished that I could spend an eternity here.
With the dusty puppets of circus-like whimsy and discipline, the framed political cartoons of undermined nazi regime, and the cases of Orval that are glued upside down to the ceiling... all fulfilling the notion of Belgian humor, historic burrs, and beer idiosyncratic mindset firmly put me in the mindset of Brussels past and present.
Reasonable prices, as are all throughout Belgium, and a full flavored beer menu that will satisfy every beer drinker to embrace their boarders, none will fill dissatisfied from the offerings delivered here. An easy order of De Rank XX Bitter, Orval Tappist, or Kasteel Donker would have satisfied just as well.
But with Belgium (as with Europe) the service will seem relaxed and appear not as attentive as American servers so a little extra patience and extra hand raising will have to suffice. But when the beers arrive, then the server does a fantastic job of decanting each persons beer with artistry and care.
Gotta love this beer cafe as it does all that Belgium does with beer culture and they don't mind if it's busy or sparse on customoership- they deliver each glass with class, friendliness, and professionalism.
May 17, 2012
4.33/5 rDev +4.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Just a few blocks from Brussels Grotemarkt plaza and onto a fairly prominent alleyway, an intersection that's marked by a statue of a black marble toddler peeing into a fountain and a street vendor of escargot tells me I'm close. I peer slight upward and leftward and see a faded sign that denotes the bar. On this most pleasant late April afternoon, I expect the exceedingly crowded patio to also resonate inside.
But up the narrow staircase and into the upstairs space reveals enough patrons to keep it lively but not enough to repel the group of nine of us who were thirsty and in need of an afternoon snack. A quick read of about 50 beers (eight or so on tap) lead me to the Watou Tripel from St. Bernardus brewery. As an accompaniment to the artisanal cheeses, meats, and mustard that was delivered I wished that I could spend an eternity here.
With the dusty puppets of circus-like whimsy and discipline, the framed political cartoons of undermined nazi regime, and the cases of Orval that are glued upside down to the ceiling... all fulfilling the notion of Belgian humor, historic burrs, and beer idiosyncratic mindset firmly put me in the mindset of Brussels past and present.
Reasonable prices, as are all throughout Belgium, and a full flavored beer menu that will satisfy every beer drinker to embrace their boarders, none will fill dissatisfied from the offerings delivered here. An easy order of De Rank XX Bitter, Orval Tappist, or Kasteel Donker would have satisfied just as well.
But with Belgium (as with Europe) the service will seem relaxed and appear not as attentive as American servers so a little extra patience and extra hand raising will have to suffice. But when the beers arrive, then the server does a fantastic job of decanting each persons beer with artistry and care.
Gotta love this beer cafe as it does all that Belgium does with beer culture and they don't mind if it's busy or sparse on customoership- they deliver each glass with class, friendliness, and professionalism.
May 17, 2012
More User Reviews:
cratez from Canada (ON)
4.21/5 rDev +1.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
Visited with my wife on a recent trip to Brussels and Munich.
Tried the following:
Oud Beersel Oude Kriek Vieille (bottle)
Brasserie Lupulus Lupulus Hopera (draft)
Both beers were drinking fantastic and my wife liked her wine and Aperol Spritz. Tap and bottle menus comprised one of the stronger beer lineups that I came across in Brussels. The snack mix was tasty too. Service was efficient as we never had to wait long for drinks. Not much engagement from the waiter but that was okay with us. Loved the creepy puppets and quirky, ramshackle vibe in here. Our overall experience was fun, and we would certainly come back.
Apr 19, 2020
4.21/5 rDev +1.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
Visited with my wife on a recent trip to Brussels and Munich.
Tried the following:
Oud Beersel Oude Kriek Vieille (bottle)
Brasserie Lupulus Lupulus Hopera (draft)
Both beers were drinking fantastic and my wife liked her wine and Aperol Spritz. Tap and bottle menus comprised one of the stronger beer lineups that I came across in Brussels. The snack mix was tasty too. Service was efficient as we never had to wait long for drinks. Not much engagement from the waiter but that was okay with us. Loved the creepy puppets and quirky, ramshackle vibe in here. Our overall experience was fun, and we would certainly come back.
Apr 19, 2020
ckeegan04 from Texas
4.58/5 rDev +10.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.75
Feb 14, 2020
4.58/5 rDev +10.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.75
Feb 14, 2020
Suds from Missouri
4.38/5 rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
On a beautiful late summer afternoon, I had the chance to re-visit this wonderful beer cafe. My first visit was many years ago, on a cold winter night. Then, I sat inside...this time, a colleague and I shared an outdoor table. This place has a wonderful Belgian beer list...countless options, many of which I have never seen. They are always served in the brewery's specific glass, at the proper temperature, and poured for you with great skill and care. The prices are incredibly reasonable, and the ambiance is pure Brussels The only downside is that the food menu is limited and fairly average. Still, it is absolutely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Jul 14, 2019
4.38/5 rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
On a beautiful late summer afternoon, I had the chance to re-visit this wonderful beer cafe. My first visit was many years ago, on a cold winter night. Then, I sat inside...this time, a colleague and I shared an outdoor table. This place has a wonderful Belgian beer list...countless options, many of which I have never seen. They are always served in the brewery's specific glass, at the proper temperature, and poured for you with great skill and care. The prices are incredibly reasonable, and the ambiance is pure Brussels The only downside is that the food menu is limited and fairly average. Still, it is absolutely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Jul 14, 2019
bierfonteintje from Belgium
3.97/5 rDev -3.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
Sep 29, 2018
3.97/5 rDev -3.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
Sep 29, 2018
REVZEB from Illinois
4.1/5 rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
Aug 26, 2018
4.1/5 rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
Aug 26, 2018
Nichols33 from Massachusetts
4.49/5 rDev +8.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Jul 05, 2018
4.49/5 rDev +8.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Jul 05, 2018
He_was_a_wise_man from California
3.79/5 rDev -8.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
May 04, 2018
3.79/5 rDev -8.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
May 04, 2018
Quafftastic from Virginia
4.66/5 rDev +12.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
A great beer bar near the Mannekin. Extremely knowledgeable staff, tell them what you like and they’ll find a Belgian beer along those lines for you. Great selection if you are looking for some harder to find beers, which keep getting harder to find with upsurge in popularity last several years. A visit is at least hour and a half for a couple beers to enjoy. Decor is wonderful to browse through. Good place after dark as inside is more interesting than outside.
Apr 18, 2018
4.66/5 rDev +12.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
A great beer bar near the Mannekin. Extremely knowledgeable staff, tell them what you like and they’ll find a Belgian beer along those lines for you. Great selection if you are looking for some harder to find beers, which keep getting harder to find with upsurge in popularity last several years. A visit is at least hour and a half for a couple beers to enjoy. Decor is wonderful to browse through. Good place after dark as inside is more interesting than outside.
Apr 18, 2018
Hayley_86 from Netherlands
3.69/5 rDev -10.7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.75
Jun 02, 2017
3.69/5 rDev -10.7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.75
Jun 02, 2017
tobelerone from New Jersey
3.91/5 rDev -5.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4 | food: 4
May 07, 2017
3.91/5 rDev -5.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4 | food: 4
May 07, 2017
MI_beerdrinker from Texas
4.16/5 rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Mar 20, 2017
4.16/5 rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Mar 20, 2017
Redrover from Wisconsin
4.1/5 rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
This was our first stop in Brussels. Visited the nearly adjacent Mannekin Pis statue and after the obligatory photos went for a beer and some food.
The weather was cooler so we went by the attractive terrace and went in to the bar. It has a several rooms on the main floor and a cozy overflow room on the lower floor.
It is bright and airy and decorated with a strange mix of Medieval crossbows, old marionettes, beer memorabilia, some costumes for the Mannekin Pis statue, etc.
The beer selection was impressive. Yes they have several Cantillions but they offer so much more. While we were there, they were just rolling out the selection of Christmas beers. As expected, everything is served in the correct and marked glassware.
The food was very good. We had the onion soup and a great sausage and cheese sampler platter that went great with the beer.
Service was friendly but a bit slow. However, they did have a good crowd and we were in no real hurry.
I would have no problem going back for a repeat visit!
Nov 29, 2016
4.1/5 rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
This was our first stop in Brussels. Visited the nearly adjacent Mannekin Pis statue and after the obligatory photos went for a beer and some food.
The weather was cooler so we went by the attractive terrace and went in to the bar. It has a several rooms on the main floor and a cozy overflow room on the lower floor.
It is bright and airy and decorated with a strange mix of Medieval crossbows, old marionettes, beer memorabilia, some costumes for the Mannekin Pis statue, etc.
The beer selection was impressive. Yes they have several Cantillions but they offer so much more. While we were there, they were just rolling out the selection of Christmas beers. As expected, everything is served in the correct and marked glassware.
The food was very good. We had the onion soup and a great sausage and cheese sampler platter that went great with the beer.
Service was friendly but a bit slow. However, they did have a good crowd and we were in no real hurry.
I would have no problem going back for a repeat visit!
Nov 29, 2016
epyon396 from Pennsylvania
4.31/5 rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75
Oct 14, 2016
4.31/5 rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75
Oct 14, 2016
tbeq00 from California
4.41/5 rDev +6.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5 | food: 3
Stumbled on to this place after being underwhelmed by the Mannekin Pis statue. Beware- this little cafe is adjacent to one of the most touristy spots in Brussels. But, the patio was great even if the service was slow (par for the course in Brussels).
I was shocked by the beer selection - they had a better selection of Cantillon and 3F than any other bar I visited in Brussels and Bruges, and I hit nearly every one reviewed on BA. There were several that weren't available on-site at either brewery. I enjoyed a bottle of St. Lam and LP Kriek along with a snack of sausage and gouda, which was all that was available for food. It wasn't clear if they normally have a wider menu or if we came at an off-time.
Great shaded patio, good people-watching, great beer. Recommended.
Sep 22, 2016
4.41/5 rDev +6.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5 | food: 3
Stumbled on to this place after being underwhelmed by the Mannekin Pis statue. Beware- this little cafe is adjacent to one of the most touristy spots in Brussels. But, the patio was great even if the service was slow (par for the course in Brussels).
I was shocked by the beer selection - they had a better selection of Cantillon and 3F than any other bar I visited in Brussels and Bruges, and I hit nearly every one reviewed on BA. There were several that weren't available on-site at either brewery. I enjoyed a bottle of St. Lam and LP Kriek along with a snack of sausage and gouda, which was all that was available for food. It wasn't clear if they normally have a wider menu or if we came at an off-time.
Great shaded patio, good people-watching, great beer. Recommended.
Sep 22, 2016
mothman from Minnesota
4.4/5 rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Apr 17, 2016
4.4/5 rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Apr 17, 2016
beerdeer from Belgium
4.64/5 rDev +12.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Mar 16, 2016
4.64/5 rDev +12.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Mar 16, 2016
aRedLetterLife from New Jersey
4.93/5 rDev +19.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75
Oct 18, 2015
4.93/5 rDev +19.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.75
Oct 18, 2015
barleywin from Missouri
4.7/5 rDev +13.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75
Oct 10, 2015
4.7/5 rDev +13.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75
Oct 10, 2015
Zerric14 from New Jersey
3.43/5 rDev -16.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 2
Jun 12, 2015
3.43/5 rDev -16.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 2
Jun 12, 2015
Taillon75 from Colorado
3.72/5 rDev -9.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
May 18, 2015
3.72/5 rDev -9.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
May 18, 2015
RickyS from Germany
4.06/5 rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
May 03, 2015
4.06/5 rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.75 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
May 03, 2015
HopBelT from Belgium
4.38/5 rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
Apr 29, 2015
4.38/5 rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
Apr 29, 2015
rodzm14 from Washington
4.59/5 rDev +11.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Apr 21, 2015
4.59/5 rDev +11.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Apr 21, 2015
Le Poechenellekelder in Brussels, Belgium
Place rating:
4.13 out of
5 with
96 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with 150 characters or more.
Protips: Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the place's attributes and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately visited the place. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close