August 28, 2011
One of the most authentic place i visited in the North of France. Beer selection is not so large but very well chosen

October 12, 2009 [ Updated May 19, 2010 ]
It appears that this place has changed ownership and my rating is the in limbo years and not during the Denis years. With people like Tim Webb loving this place it has obviously gotten better but not having been to the new place my rating will stand. Jim the place is on the high side of the square and maybe couple doors from the Tabac. Bad food a bad selection of beer , bad mangement and a bad visit.

August 20, 2008 [ Updated June 1, 2010 ]
One of my favourites too (hi jim, that’s matthieu), an authentic place, full of taste and history (yes, it’s a friendly Vlaams area). Be sure the owner will have good councils for the beers. Here, you could taste the Hommelbier on tap, a delicious lager from Poperinge in Belgium. Some rare very good microbewery beers as Tim Webb wrote and the best Belgium and French beers anyway. The food is allright (i think of the hot ham with ancient cooked mustard and fried potatoes or the tart of leeks but also ’carbonnades’ and fries, among others). Cassel, one of my favourite place in France after travelling quite a lot. You could spend the night at ’La Gourgandine’ (bed and breakfast) owned by an artist friend of mine (usual client) and i think you would have spent a very good journey there.

January 1, 2008 [ Updated January 7, 2012 ]
Poperinge’s rating was correct for when he visited but former tenant Denis has regained control, it re-opened in 2010 and it has risen like a phoenix from the ashes to become the best bar with beer in the area. Cassel is the town at the top of the hill that the Grand Old Duke of York marched his 10,000 men before marching them down again. It is at the centre of a great region for Flemish and French microbrewery beers - compare and contrast. A great bar run with a strong personal touch by a great character who was born to do this for a living. Unmissable on the main square. Do a weekend here. There are other beer cafes, some excellent restaurants, good small hotels and it is not overrun with (any!) tourists yet. It will be when more people know. Fabulous to cycle down from - it’s pushing the damn thing up there that’s the problem.

November 4, 2007 [ Updated December 14, 2010 ]
Ok it’s my local in France, but it’s the main reason I moved there! One of the best beer selections in France, coupled with a great atmosphere. Has a definite Vlaams identity, as this area has a Dutch speaking history, so don’t upset some of the locals by calling them French! Hoser must have been in another bar, as the Kerelshof has been completely closed since Feb 2009, and is some way from the Tabac. Finally fully reopened since the beginning of November 2010, and as enjoyable as ever! Nicely developing beer card and food menu. Beers from De Molen (NL) De Ranke and many others. Also Oud Geuze (Cantillon)