Everyone knows that going to Belgium means having some of its famous beers. It’s like having wine in France, pilsners in Germany and margaritas in Mexico.
But what are the best places to drink that strong Belgium beer? PubClub.com consulted Niels Declercq, a Bruges native who offers private walking and cycling tours of Bruges through his Brugge Tours, to give us his top five favorites.
Here is his list:
Café Vlissinghe
Opened in 1515, Vlissinghe is the oldest café in Bruges. It feels like it. Low ceilings. Heavy wooden tables. A quiet courtyard hidden behind thick walls. This was once a meeting place for guild members and local shooters’ clubs. Later, it served British officers during the First World War.
Order a Brugse Zot or a Trappist. Sit down. Do nothing fast. This place rewards patience. It is not polished and that is the point.
Brewery De Halve Maan
De Halve Maan has brewed beer on the same site since 1856. Still family owned. Still working. This is not just a brewery visit but a living part of Bruges’ industrial past.
The brewery sits inside the historic center and even pumps beer under the streets through a pipeline. Drink Brugse Zot or Straffe Hendrik in the brewery bar or on the rooftop terrace. Old brick. Copper kettles. The smell of malt in the air.
Brewery Bourgogne Des Flandres
Bourgogne des Flandres blends old Bruges with modern brewing. The historic beer was revived using original recipes, then brought back to the city center. Inside, you see the brewery. Outside, you sit along the canal.
This is the place for darker beers with depth. Sweet, sour, layered. Order the house beer and take your time. The view alone is worth the stop.
De Garre
De Garre hides in a narrow alley near the Markt. No sign. No noise outside. Inside, it feels like a secret shared by locals and beer lovers.
The house tripel is legendary. Strong, full, and served with cheese. The bar itself is small, dark, and lined with bottles. Conversations stay low. You come here for focus. One beer is often enough.
Rose Red
Known today as Rose Red, this bar grew from the spirit of ’t Brugs Beertje. It keeps that same soul. Candlelight. Wooden shelves. A deep Belgian beer list.
Expect strong ales, fruit beers, and classics served properly. This is a place for conversation and discovery, not speed. One of the best spots in Bruges to end the evening.
Brugge Tours
Declercq’s Brugge Tours takes visitors to hidden corners that most travelers never see and and shares his deep knowledge of the city’s medieval development. The private experiences can be arranged for daytime or evening and are customized and paced to the guest’s wishes. Tours veer away from the standard tourist circuit to small alleys and canals and forgotten chapels most outsiders never see. (Extra stops at chocolate shops and breweries can be added upon request). Visitors come away with an understanding of the city’s story, layout, trade, architecture and legends.For nature lovers, Brugge Tours’ cycling tours take explorers away from the city to experience the peaceful Flemish countryside. Cyclers visit the charming village of Damme and see Belgian windmills, canals, and the polder landscape.
“We customize experiences for solo traveler, couples, families and small groups,” he said. “Bruges and its surroundings offer something for every traveler type: history buffs, foodies, romantics, medieval architecture fans, nature lovers and we love to share our passion for this part Belgium with people from around the world.”
Leave a Reply