Spent a few nights in Antwerp as part of our annual fall beer trip and I thought I'd post a few things for anybody headed that way. Visited a couple of new(-ish) places The Northerner Wijngaardstraat 7 Decent tap list (9 semi-fixed, 1 rotating) and a growing bottle list. Cafe Ernst Ernest van Dijckkaai 19 Ten taps, with a number of "modern" beers (i.e. IPAs, etc). Also natural ("raw" wines) if there is a wine drinker in your group. Other updates: Waagstuk has re-opened. I didn't manage to get there this trip (but will hopefully in December) so I don't know how it compares to it's glory days. Spéciale Belge Taproom have received their brewery kit but are awaiting on plan approval before installing it. They say by December but I would take that with a grain of salt. The Kulminator is going with their new hours in late January: Tue-Sat from 11am to 7pm. Starting in August 2020 they will be closed Saturday. I didn't make it to Dr Beer (but hopefully in December). I heard it described as a bar for hipsters -- take that anyway you like
Yes, building still empty, no signs of any activity. I thought that had been discussed here earlier so I didn't mention that but it may have been a different forum. One other thing I forgot is Cafe Pardaf has really upped its bottle list -- well over 400 now. Taps pretty much the same (mostly not too interesting) but they did have Cantillion Oude Geuze on draft.
I was in Antwerp for 4 nights at the end of August and went to Dr Beer twice and found it to be good and I’m definitely not a hipster. Lol I spent more time at the Beer Lovers Bar which was close to the apartment we rented and thought it was outstanding. Talking to the owner the guy who opened Dr Beer worked for him for a while and then told him he could do the same so he left and opened his own place. I would go to both again in a heartbeat.
Billie's Bottle Shop opened up in May, with a little patio in the back and draft beers. Only a couple blocks from Kulminator.
You gotta love a beer place that's so established and successful that they can afford to close on Saturdays because they feel like it.
Basically I get the feeling they are winding down as precursor to retirement. I really think if it weren't for their regular customers they probably would have closed already.
And not let in every tom, dick and harry... I went there in late September... a Thursday eve about 530P... saw a couple waiting out front... full already? HUH? I tried the door - locked... hmmm... the other couple stepped up and rang the bell... out popped Dirk.. Yes? We'd like to come in and drink some beer. D: You can do that anywhere in Antwerp. There are hundreds of pubs. People don't drink here. It's a culture. But we heard this was special. D: There are a lot of special places around here... etc... so it went for a few... as I watched in amusement... Finally Dirk softened.... 2 of you? OK.... then said cash only... come in... I asked "1 more?" Dirk said One moment... He came back and opened the door. Yes? I'd like to enjoy some beer and the company of you and Leen... D: Come in; cash only! Dank jewel! I did hear the bell ring a few more times while there, and not everyone got in, though the place was only 1/2 full... Enjoy it while you can!!
Yikes. I was planning to go to Antwerp on my next Belgium trip and it sure would be disappointing to get to Kulminator and not be let in.
I wonder if you would be praising the place as highly if you had been one of the ones left standing outside. Seems like incredibly dickish behaviour to me, to be honest. Probably illegal as well.
Haha, have you met Dirk? If you had, I don't think you would describe his behavior as "dickish". That's just Dirk being Dirk, all part of the experience, whether you get in or not. As far as illegal, I'm not familiar w/ Belgium law, but I would hope the laws would allow him to let in as many or as few of people as he wants. Long live to the Kulminator!
The point of Kulminator is not to “drink”, but to taste and enjoy beer in the relaxing cafe atmosphere. He’s right, you can “drink” anywhere else. It’s his way to see who’s serious, and if you’re already on this forum you have nothing to worry about.
One more update on the Kulminator: they will be closed from Dec 24 to Jan 22, when the new hours take effect: 11am-6pm Tue-Sat (with Sat closing starting in August)
Station 1280 bottle shop & bar opened last November in the Centraal Station, 200+ beers and 4 rotating drafts.
Closing on Saturdays is not sure yet at Kulminator. Station 1280 is a hipster spot but heck, good selection. Old brown bar with good beer selection: De Ware Jacob. Bars are still closed in Belgium, at least until March, April or May. My guess: bars will be open by mid April.
