Follow Benny in Antwerp
As a professional beer writer I was always going to end up in Antwerp at some point. The capital of Belgium’s northern Flanders region, Antwerp, or Antwerpen in Flemish (the Dutch dialect they speak in Flanders), is in close proximity to some of the best beer in the world. Strong beers, sour beers, easy drinking and complex beers. Beers brewed by monks. Beers brewed with water from medieval wells. Beers with recipes that have been unchanged since Vikings raided the shores. All of them displayed in beer menus that resemble novels wherever you go.
Therefore, I was completely confident that my best foot forward in Antwerpen would be to sample the best of their beer in one day. Here’s my Antwerp beer crawl.
Stop 1: Kulminator
The entrance to a craft beer lover’s heaven.
Where: Vleminckveld 32, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
What: A beer bar that doubles as a living room for the husband and wife owners who are champions of Belgian beer.
Why: Some reports state there are 500 beers available in Kulminator. Some say it’s more like 1000. I don’t know how many there are but there certainly are enough. Kulminator is a bucket list spot for beer lovers who make up 100% of the clientele. Cash only and when you buzz in say ‘I want to taste beer’ NOT ‘I want to drink beer’.
Stop 2: The Geeky Cauldron
Enjoying one of the many fine beers on tap at the Geeky Cauldron.
Where: Sint-Jacobsmarkt 88/90, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
What: A two room bar with a fantasy and sci-fi room.
Why: It’s a laugh and a wholesome one and at that. Geeky Cauldron was a crowd funded idea and only the original backers can enjoy a beer, cider or mead from their horn goblets. The staff are beyond friendly, they’re chatty, warm and your new Instagram friends. Katie and I went back here two more times after my day, daring the world to tell our geeky asses to stop.
Stop 3: Beerlovers Bar
Get ready for a session at the Beerlovers Bar.
Where: Rotterdamstraat 105, 2060 Antwerpen, Belgium
What: A sleek tap room.
Why: Unlike the previous two stops, Beer Lovers Bar focuses primarily on modern Belgian beers which don’t always get the love they deserve when compared to the classics. Passionate staff will help you pick a fresh local beer that range from a crisp pilsner to something that tastes like Pizza Shapes. We didn’t have any but they slice fresh wheels of cheese to graze on too.
Stop 4: Cafe Pardaf
Inside Cafe Pardaf in the centre of Antwerp.
Where: Suikerrui 2, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
What: A beer cafe right in the historic heart of Antwerp.
Why: This spot is so central I guarantee you’ve walked past it if you’ve been to Antwerp. With a big beer menu of Belgian classics and some standard grazing options this is no-frills Belgian drinking done to perfection.
Stop 5: De Muze
Where: Melkmarkt 15, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
What: A modern jazz bar.
Why: To flash some tipsy dance moves to live jazz. I must point out, the live music didn’t start until late and by that point the effects of all the beer was weighing heavy on me and I really needed a soothingly special Antwerp kebab so we only stayed for one drink. There are lots of great places to drink in this neighbourhood and you could very easily crawl that area of Antwerp alone.
While Katie put on a great day in Antwerp, we both felt that my day slightly edged hers out to some extent, probably because we got pissed enough that we seriously started having some carefree fun which is kind of a rare joy while shooting. Going to try not to use this strategy too often…
(We ate dirty Belgian Maccas back at our shitty budget Ibis but that was some serious gronk footage that I have since destroyed.)
