Poechenellekelder

After a week amidst the midges in the country of kilts and bagpipes, we’re back in Brussels to introduce you to some more local drinking holes!
Still in the tourist mindset, we went to the Poechenellekelder, right across our famous Manneken Pis. But even though the terrace and tables inside might be filled with tourist just thirsty after photographing a statue of a peeing boy, this venue actually does have something to offer for the real beer lover as well!

Only five beer pumps here, one of them reserved for a weekly changing beer.

The bottle list sure looks impressive enough, although it is once again – like at a lot of older bars — mostly sorted by colour. Who actually thinks a refreshing 5.2% Rodenbach and a heavy 10% St. Bernardus Abt 12 should be in the same category, just because they’re both a bit darker? Luckily, the gueuze and lambic beers are in their own category, and this is where the menu excels: an impressive selection of Cantillon beers, Boon, Girardin, Oud Beersel…

Unfortunately, the appearance of these beers on the menu is no guarantee for their availability! So when we ordered the Cantillon Grand Cru Bruocsella, they had to dissappoint us by telling it wasn’t available anymore, continuing by listing quite a few other beers that weren’t available either… So before you get your hopes up too much, better check with the staff first! Our alternative choice however, the Cantillon Saint-Lamvinus, arrived swiftly, and beautifully presented in the typical wicker bottle basket, as one should do with great lambic beers like that.

Do keep an eye out for the chalkboards, though, as there are always a couple of beers available that aren’t on the printed menu.

The Poechenellekelder isn’t really a restaurant, but they do serve spaghettis, soup and croque-monsieurs, if you’re hungry.
If you just want something to nibble with your beer, there’s quite a list of cheeses and meats. For your information: the ‘tartines’ aren’t actually prepared sandwiches, but just meat or cheese boards with some slices of bread on the side, as usual.

Don’t hesitate to visit the Poechenellekelder if you want to enjoy a gueuze, while observing the tourists in front of our Manneken, or while silently studying the countless items scattered all over the place.

tl;dr

Beers

• 5 beers on draught, of which one changing “beer of the week”
• A large bottle list, varying from bog standard to excellent

Bites

• Quite a list of different cheeses and meats
• Spaghetti, soup and croque-monsieurs

[venue id= 4bb730541344b713446e9e04]

What have people been drinking here recently?