While the weather is bearable again but not yet too cold and wet, why not enjoy some beers in a garden? Jardin Hospice is a beer garden hidden in a listed neoclassical hospice, dating back to the Dutch period. As old as the building is, as modern are the beers served: lots of Brussels Beer Project on draught, and beers from more local 21st century breweries can be found in the fridges!
Brasserie Verschueren is neither a brewery, nor the type of restaurant that has been abusing the French word brasserie for well over a century… It does however have a past that justifies the name, and a couple of unique beers interesting enough to visit this bar the next time you’re near Parvis de Saint-Gilles!
The cooperative brewery CoHop has a nice taproom, where beers of all the participating breweries are served. However, the student area of Etterbeek isn’t exactly craft beer central… So, one of the five CoHop breweries opened their own taproom in Saint-Gilles, a bit closer to the action this time: La Bagarre.
The Galerie Bortier, where not so long ago one would only find old books, now also is the home of Bar Bibine, proudly pouring beers from eight Brussels breweries: La Mule, L’Ermitage, En Stoemelings, La Senne, Brussels Beer Project, Surréaliste, and La Jungle.
Our visit to Kastar was slightly overdue, but only because the last time we tried to visit it, it was closed while according to the information we found, it should have been open… We’re glad we gave it a second try though, because what we found was a stunning interior, and a very attractive selection of beers!
On the freshly renovated Place du Chatelain you’ll find the welcoming terrace of L’Impasse. Inside, the sixteen taps immediately tell you they mean business when it comes to beer! A quarter of those taps were even dedicated to beers from their very own brewery!
1762, it says on the facade of In ’t Spinnekopke, and it certainly looks the part! We can’t vouch for all of its history, but it has been there ever since we moved to Brussels. However, in 2022 it was taken over by a team of young people, passionate about Brussels and hospitality, and they definitely succeeded in breathing new life into the centuries old estaminet!
For centre dwellers like us, it was quite a trek to get to Silex Bar… It was totally worth it though, and the inhabitants of the until recently beer bar deprived south-east of the Brussels capital region, can finally take delight in having a bar with an excellent and varied beer selection in their area. And, with a bit of luck, they’ll still be able to enjoy some glasses on the off-street terrace!
Le Pantin is a strange bar. It certainly is a bar run by beer lovers, but it is definitely a student bar as well. On the one hand, there’s a beer menu that ranges from boring blondes, to the latest beers of local brewers. On the other hand, a beer is rarely served in the correct glass here…
Addict Bar really was a lucky find. The Jupiler sign outside wouldn’t exactly lure us in, and a flickering gambling machine in the back usually is a warning to keep out… However, when one late night a friend dragged us to her neighbourhood bar, we discovered that these guys actually love beer! Local breweries on draught, and fridges full of beers from all kinds of independent breweries!