Hey BAs, I don't feel as bad about starting this thread because I tore through the older Belgium posts and most focus on Bruges and Brussels. So here goes. I will be in Antwerp next week. I am looking for bar/bottle shop recommendations. I know about the Good Beer Guide, which I will purchase at my local shop today. I also saw one BA highlight three bars: Kulminatorl Gollem; and Antwaerps Bierhuiske. Chances are I won't have time to get to more than 1 or 2 spots while there since this is a business trip, so adjectives like "OMG," "best," and "MUST VISIT," while not normally tolerated are in this case welcomes. An added plus would be a bar with thoughtful design. Or NO TVs, at the very least. Cheers!
Paters Vaetje in the square near the cathedral is a great little beer bar, good food too. A few doors down I would check out Het Elfde Gebod, ( the 11th commandment ) lots of cool statues in there.
Kulminator really is the number 1 must see in Antwerp, a classic piece of beer history and certainly a lot of character. If you're after lambics then Antwerp isn't so good, but Bierhuiske probably has the most. In terms of shops, there's really nothing very good in the city itself. Nothing I could recommend without driving quite some distance away from the city.
Bierhuiske and Gollem. Bierhuiske was unfortunately closed the 2 days we were there(changing beer coolers) but a guy i met at De Struise told me it was great. 8 different lambics "on tap" 1-2 year old still unblended among other things, and good service. Gollem had great service, a nice tap list and reasonably priced bottles from De Struise, Cantillon, and 3F among others. Kulminator pretty much sucks, the atmosphere is like going to grandmas house and the service is like grandpa went senile and is pissed off at the world because his little brother gave him a wet willy 60 years ago that he thinks happened yesterday. Do they have an immense beer list..yes, do they have tons of vintage stuff...yes. The problem is that the vast majority of those vintage beers were never meant to be aged and are past their prime. The other problem is that grandpa either can't find the beers in the cellar or won't put forth the effort because he's pissed off at the world.
But Kulminator is a one of a kind. I can't think of any other place like it anywhere. And the clock is ticking , I don't see it being opened much longer. Where else can you get old La trapp beer? It was pretty good!
I always recommend Oud Arsenaal. Has a great authentic atmosphere, most Oude Geuzes for only €5 and a real nice beerlist. Nothing really rare though, if that's what you're looking for. People tend to love it or hate it.
I second Oud Arsenaal, very nice bar. Ask the bartender for any "one offs" that might be hiding behind the bar. Also, if you have time, the Rubens museum is directly across from the bar. Very nice museum tour. One other bar worth mentioning is Waagstuk. It's a bit of a walk from the city center, but well worth the hike. Not a tourist stop, great beer list, & great food, (also nice old wall paintings & no TVs)...Have a nice time. BTW: @xpertskir description of the Kulminator was spot on, but that's what makes the place soooooo great!!! DO NOT skip a visit to the Kulminator!!!!
I forgot to add that I love the idea that going to Kulminator is like going to your grandparents house. It's quiet, there's classical music playing in the background, you are focused on the beer. The owners have never been rude to me or my companions. They are professional, low key and reserved. Those qualities go well with the whole experience. I agree with others that it is the best beer bar on earth.
Update: I have just returned from Kulminator. Wow. Yes, it is nice and dusty, and the proprietor is a terrifying old woman who does not beggar questions about the menu-binder all in Flemish, but that was a huge part of the experience. No TVs, just other serious beer drinkers in a relaxing (if not relaxed atmoshpere). Not to mention the beer. They had 5 offerings from Cantillon, and--wait for it--5 from Westvleteren, including 12 (granted bottles cellared 3 years). Kind of surprised no one gave me a heads up about the Westvleteren, as the beers were off menu. Now I have to seek out the Westvleteren threads to read some opinions. Cheers!
Glad to hear you experienced the "experience" of the Kulminator, it's definitely a one-of-a-kind place!!! I couldn't comment on Westie, because they don't always have it on hand & the day I was there was one of those unfortunate times. From this point forward you will try to figure out when you can make another visit!!!
For al you Kulminator visitors, was on Kulminator & friends Facebook page: CLOSING DATES FOR THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS !!! SLUITINGSDAGEN VOOR DE ZOMERVAKANTIE !!! Kulminator will be closed starting from Monday 27th of July untill Wednesday 5th of August. RE-opening will be tuesday 6th of August around 4pm. Kulminator zal gesloten zijn vanaf Maandag 27 Juli tot en met Woensdag 5 Augustus. We doen weer terug open op Donderdag 6 Augustus rond ongeveer 16u.
"Terrifying old woman"? Leen? Dirk might be a little intimidating to people frightened of Doc Emmett Brown, but Leen? She is about as scary as my sweet departed 'Nona. This isn't aimed at anyone in particular, but I can see the new craft beer aficionado as being as aggravating to Dirk as a Bud Light Chelada ear wax cleanser. Not a good fit, I think.
