Koekoek

CAVE: All the rating older than 2014, are irrelevant. This place has ben closed for a few years, and re-opened recently under different ownership, different look, different food/beers/... Not comparable anymore. Nowadays it’s a typical Flanders restaurant. Nice, simple interior. The menu is interesting with some good fish and meats on there. They have Boon lambiek on draught!!! And Mariage Parfait bottles as well by example. Prices are good. Will update rating when I got a chance to visit again.

This place oozes with authenticity and is the antithesis of pretentiousness. I asked the owner if I could try the Girardin young lambic (2 to 3 months old) and he disappeared into the basement and emerged with a glass of the sweet nectar. It was great to try this side by side with the oude gueuze from Girardin. What a treat! only 1 km off of E40 between Brussels and Gent. If you’re after something flashy don’t bother. For all others don’t miss it!

Very traditional lambic cafe, of the kind that I hope gets preserved. Friendly and chatty locals. Nice selection. Classic snacks. Nice place.

Probably one of the coolest places I’ve been to, beer-wise, in my life. It smells of old horse saddle, it’s small and homely, the bathrooms are outside, and the ticking clock is hypnotic as if in some avant garde art film. The owner is beyond courteous despite the language barrier (he speaks some English) and watching him argue with his wife between talking to me and pouring beers was just too funny. If I lived in the area, I would go here everyday. A must if you’re in Belgium. And of course I sought this place out ’cause the name of the town is "Asse," which is, to my 12-year-old mind, close to "Ass."

Classic lambic cafe. Young Girardin lambic, boterham and plenty of old guys hanging about drinking pils. Everyone sits with their backs to the wall facing the centre of the cafe to enable conversation with anyone present, as is the fashion in the area. Nice tablecloths, not so nice toilets, but that’s part of the charm. Some of the world’s best beers at some of the world’s cheapest prices, like most lambic cafes.

Read my thoughts on this lambic cafe at http://beertravl.com/2009/03/one-day-in-belgium/