Beer tasting, Antwerp

Around tea time people go to pubs and enjoy the beers. It is common to see group of 'middle aged' women to gather for a chat, dark beer in a big cups and snacks, just as women in London would go for a tea and biscuits after the shopping. Locals have a extensive theories about beer, beer drinking & tasting and take proud in cultivated beer enjoyment, just as wine, chocholate or coffee tasters do.. Beer drinking in Antwerp is a high-end experience.
Also, there is a shop in Antwerp. with more than 1 thousand different kinds of beer!

Belgian beer is world known. Don't try to make a goal to taste all the brands, it's impossible!!! There are too many ;-) But if you don't have time to visit a brewery or just limited in time while visiting Antwerp then you can go to this tiny shop located not far from the Grote Markt and buy some of the bottled beers there. What they say there is that they have over 280 brands to offer, so have fun!
Address: Suikerrui 34

It is a typically Belgian local custom. Those who use to taste Burgundy lifestyle would appreciate it there too.

In Antwerp, try local beer brands such as De Koninck in bolleke glass... My favourite atmosphere is drinking at summer evenings, in a terrace of quiet area. It's better with some thing to accompany it: cooked meat, cheese or grilled meat.

Bolleke is one thing, Bangelijke at 't Pakhuis is another one! I prefer the later. It's homebrewed at Pakhuis. Look at my nightlife tips for the 't Pakhuis.

Antwerp is without any doubt the capital of beer tasting there are a lot of different kinds of beer to try!

And as we all know Belgian beers are the best in the world!

Typical for Antwerp is "Bolleke". Bolleke is a kind of glass filled with the local specialty De Koninck

A Bolleke is a real Antwerp beer. It is the thing to order in a pub or while sitting outside enjoying the sun.
It is called after the shape of the glass it is served in.
The beer is brewed by the Koninck.

Cafe 'De Engel' on the corner of Grotemarkt is what I'd call Antwerp for beginners. It's a place with a long tradition gathering all sexes, age groups and social strata of Sinjoors. A real place with a character. Come during the day and meet Fonske, 96, its most faithful guest who's been coming over every day for last 60 years or so. Now this man is a must-see in himself!

So here we are back home again, after a whole afternoon of tasting great Belgian beer at the '24 Hours of Belgian Special Beer' happening in Antwerp.

Please do visit the pictures at the travelogue!

Antwerp has it's beerfestivals.
We had 2 of them in 2001 (one is coming up soon as I am creating this page).
From all over the country breweries come to Antwerp.

I am creating a Belgian Beer album on which I add beers along I am drinking them '-)

External photo album 1

Enjoy drinking but mind your limits!
Belgian beer is far too good to drink it just to become drunk!
You have to enjoy it.