While Brussels may have the bar with the largest selection of beers in the world, there is another bar located in nearby Antwerp that is, in fact, the Mecca for beer lovers everywhere. This bar is Antwerp’s famed Bierhuis Kulminator. While only boasting around 600 different beers at any given time, it is the quality of the beer selection here that makes this pub so much more cherished than the Delirium Cafe.
Kulminator boasts a 30+ page menu featuring one of the largest selections of premium beers around. What separates this menu from the others is the high quality selection of vintage beers you can choose from. There is an incredible selection of vintage beers, including beers over 30 years old, some of which are no longer even produced.
On my visit here in May 2005, I tried one of the last jewels in my tasting of Trappist Beers, the Westvleteren 6 (Red Cap), last brewed in 1998, and since replaced by the Westvleteren Blonde. I also tried the Bush Prestige and had my first taste of what has become one of my favorite sipping beers, the Rodenbach Grand Cru.
The Kulminator is not a large place, and at peak times, it can be difficult to get in. However, when you are there during a more slow time, it can be an amazing experience. A visit to the Kulminator can be like sitting at your local pub, only with much better beer! The owners man the counter, and are very helpful in their recommendations and assisting with your selection process. When they return with your beer and matching glass, the beer is served properly and you can truly enjoy your fine beer drinking experience.
The Kulminator is located not far from the Grote Markt and Cathedral, though can be a little difficult to find if you’re not sure how to get there. One definite downside is that they are not open on Sundays, so if you are not staying in Antwerp and want to go on the weekend, you’re limited to Friday or Saturday nights.
Be sure to check out Chuck Cook’s article / interview on Beer Advocate for some great insight on the origins of the Kulminator and their beer selections.
Hours: Monday 8pm-?, Tues-Fri 12pm-12:30am, Sat 5pm-?. Closed Sunday.
Vleminckveld 32
Antwerpen, 2000 Belgium
+32 (0)3 232 45 38
5 comments
I love Antwerp. Didn’t get enough time to do it proper though. Any place that has a menu of 30 pages of beer is okay in my book! Cheers 😉
Uh oh, we definitely missed this one! Can you hear John’s sobs where you are? He loves Westvleteren.
Poor John! Well, if and when we move back to the NL in 2012, you guys will need to come visit and Brett can take him to all the beer places he missed!