Wandering around Antwerp craving for a beer? Planning a visit and don't know where your beer wishes will be fulfilled? Here are some suggestions on where to find your answers

Yes I know, like any place in Belgium, Antwerp is packed with bars and beer is everywhere. Still, I did feel the need to share with you my favorite places. Hope you like it, here we go:

1. Beerlovers bar

Like the name suggests, if you're a beer lover, you should come to this place. My absolute favorite place to be in every time I'm in Antwerp. 12 Changing taps, a great variety of local and international beers, some beer-matching snacks and a bartender that is a walking beer encyclopedia. Everything about the place is just precise and polished. It is a local favorite, and the visiting crowd is very friendly, I get a new (usually drunken) friend in each visit.

Go there, you won't be sorry! And if you are there, say hi to Dylan.

2. Billie's Bier Kafetaria

One of the local favorite spots to hang out after work. Actually, every local person I got to know in Antwerp shared a beer with me in this bar at some point. They usually have around 10 taps of fine Belgian craft beer, lots of bottled ones and some actual food (bar food, but food). The vibes are great, the place is dog friendly (big surprise), and for those of you who like a good story, the legend says that Billie (the dog) is the actual owner of the bar, I have never checked it, but a legend is a legend.

3. Cafe Kulminator

By many beer enthusiasts I know it is considered as the Mecca of beer. Somehow I always I missed out on this place for the first few times I have visited. But I did manage to go there eventually, out of the fear that it is going to close before I'll get there. For those who don't know it, it is a bar in an actual house of an old couple that just loves beer. The house is full of beer, mainly old bottles that you cannot find in the world anymore. If you look at the reviews on various websites, you will see a lot of reviews that say how rude is the owner, and how bad is the service. You can choose to believe that, or you can join me in being amazed how they manage to filter people that just want to get drunk, and get amazing service to the people that come to appreciate beer! Visit, ask questions, get educated about beer and history. It is a must-visit place, as long as it is run by the original owners. GO! NOW!

4. De Koninck - Antwerp City Brewery

A bit further away from the touristic center, easy to reach by public transport or even a 30 minutes walk or a bicycle ride, lies another beer gem in the form of a brewery. The brewery offers plenty of beers, and a cool bar to chill out. For the foodies there are some amazing food options around. The brewery itself also offers some good food, but I went there mainly for some afternoon beer. They also offer some beer tastings every Sunday (reservation only). The staff knows their beers, and will help you to have a great beer experience.

5. Beer Central Antwerp

The only place on this list that is a restaurant. Located a minute from the central train station, the place offers great food and even greater variety of beers. When I discovered the place in my first visit to Antwerp, I just came in for a soup (tomato soup, you should try it!), but I discovered a HUGE list of beers (300? 400? Who's counting?), listed in their own beer encyclopedia. Each beer has explanation about it and the way it is made, just choose your favorites and beer away!

Also, a bonus surprise awaits you when you go down to the toilet and see their storage room along the way.

Bonus. Het Anker Brewery

The brewery is actually not in Antwerp, but in a small city name Mechelen 20 minutes by train out of Antwerp. It doesn't look much from outside, but this brewery is one of the most decorated places I've seen. Between all the awards you will se hanging on the walls, you can also find some awesome beers. Definitely worth a half day visit if you are in the area.

A finishing touch

I know that I haven't even scratched the tip of the beer experience that Antwerp has to offer for beer lovers, but these places brought happy times to my visits in Antwerp, and the photos are taken by me in my actual visits in these places throughout the years. I hope you will find this post helpful and that have your happy times whether you follow these recommendations or not. Drink slowly, enjoy your beer!

Do you think I've missed a must-visit place? Tell me, I might just go there! Did my advice make your vacation better? Tell everyone, maybe someone else will come here to read!