August 28, 2011
Any detailed description of De Gans is now obsolete as it closed its doors for the last time on 31 July 2011. Hein and Ingrid, the delightful owners, had been offering an outstanding selection of beers here since 1982 but have now reluctantly sold up and the building will be redeveloped as a house. To say goodbye to this fine establishment (and to help drink any bottles remaining in the cellar), Jeremy of Burgundian Babble Belt fame kindly invited us to join a small group of aficionados and so it was, on a Saturday afternoon in June, eight of us met in Gent and were taken by taxi to the village of Huise, about 30 minutes away and nestled in lovely rolling countryside. It was certainly a day to remember. We were warmly welcomed as always and, once she realised just how much we all appreciated lambics, Ingrid kept disappearing into the cellar and producing treat after treat. Many of the beers we had were quite old and, I think, now quite rare. I have a list if anyone’s interested and you can see photos of the day and some of the older bottles – no labels, just a pink or yellow flash of paint to indicate what was inside and a date on the cork – on Chris’s Facebook page. I’ll just mention one particular beer (a non-lambic) of which there was a case of pristine bottles: Petre Devos Reserve from Oudenaarde. The brewery closed in 1970 so the beer must have been at least 41 years old. Ingrid, whose knowledge of Belgian beers is surely unsurpassed, thought it was 45 years old and, guess what? It tasted pretty good! (Last visited 11 June 2011).

July 29, 2011 [ Updated July 30, 2011 ]
Great place to visit! Unfortunatly this will be the last weekend you’re able to visit... So after tonight, I’ll give my final rating... Such a shame this great place comes to an end :( Update: been there again today. Nice pancakes and apple pie! The roasted Chimay Rouge is most certainly worth a try! Really special! The bar-lady isn’t the friendliest, but her husband compensates that greatly! Very polite, interesting man! The selection was a bit less, because the closure later this week, but this has been an amazing beerplace... Too bad they have to quit...

February 20, 2011
Unfortunately I have just heard today form the owners, that the Gans will be closing for good at the end of July 2011. It has something to do with the now very strict fire regulations, and the amount of money required to bring the building in line with them. A crazy situation, as I can see no possible scenario where an outbreak of fire would lead to anyone being put into danger? Its hardly difficult to work out your escape route! Really sad news for the owners, and their many customers.

January 31, 2011
If you want to try new beers, you’ve even never heard of, this is the place! Great service, You can even ask the owners if they choose a beer for you, depending your favorite flavor. Last but not least: it’s the bar where you can buy the most Belgian beers.

January 31, 2011
Just a wonderfull place to visit if you want to taste some real Belgian beers. You will always learn something new about beer every time you visit this place.

August 20, 2008 [ Updated September 5, 2008 ]
A charming peacefull place in Huise. One very nice ’Estaminet’ with one of the best choice of beers (like 5 years in cave old Chimay for example). The hot poker chimay is impressive for the eyes and the taste (went with some friends one time). A place to go, definitely.

December 31, 2006
Thanks to Joris for driving us to De Gans. This is a wonderful neighborhood pub that would be frequented by all beer geeks if it was closer to a train station (not that it stopped Ian from walking it anyway). De Gans (the goose) serves "hot poker chimay" where the owners stir a glass of Chimay Red with a hot poker from the fireplace and it foams up the beer and gives it a lovely, caramel flavor. That is not necessarily the reaon to go though, the menu is outstanding including an aged beer list. Ingrid was so very nice to us. There are a bunch of games in the back room if you need some entertainment beyond the poker from the fire. Many are puzzles which are interesting to try when a bit inebriated. Great place if you can get to Huise.

January 14, 2005
The place you have to have been in to be really knowledgeable about the Belgian beerscene. And believe me, you’ll get beguiled too. No place could be more welcoming. Old beers, newbiers, good beers. Try the pancakes with blueberry jam if you’ve got a sweet tooth.