Kulminator

June 18, 2009
Small and storical place with many quality and vintage beers: do not miss it!

June 3, 2009
Our first bar on our trip to Belgium. Very cozy interior, with some drab decorations and plenty of cat pictures. I’m into the old-time feel of this place. We had Leen serve us the whole night and she was plenty helpful, even though I’m an idiot and tried to order beers that you can only get in verticals. Though that part was somewhat annoying, I can understand why it’s done. The beer list is impressive, though it’s mostly slanted toward aged Belgian strongs and trappist ales at this point. Still managed to get a 1983 Boon Kriek MP though. Overall, a very nice place to just drink and relax.

May 28, 2009
I feel like I missed something here. I had read so many things about how it was a must-stop in Antwerp. We went in a couple of weeks before St. Patrick’s Day... the place was covered in shamrocks. I thought I was in the U.S. It was an afternoon, and not at all busy. There were 3 people there, one of which was a very loud young guy who was shouting at another patron, trying to faze him. Fun. The entire place smelled like B.O. They had a huge beer menu, but many of the beers weren’t available. Again, maybe it was just a freak experience, but I was at many more enjoyable bars in Belgium than the Kulminator.

May 3, 2009
Just a little slice of beer heaven on earth. Of course the beer list is simply mesmerizing. I can’t imagine there are many other places that can rival the selection if you’re looking for older vintages and beers long since retired. But for me, at least, the atmosphere equaled the beer list. Drinking beer here is like drinking in the living room of a favorite, somewhat eccentric, relative you don’t get to visit often enough. it is small, cozy, and just oozes authentic (rather than manufactured) character. If you’re looking for somewhere to drink awesome beer and spend hours conversing with old friends, making new friends, or just sitting with your own thoughts, you will find it here. Only caveat is that the environment (full of cats, dust, and plants) seems custom made to torment people with severe allergies, so if you fall into this category enter at your own risk. No real food, but they offer cheese and sausage plates to accompany you on your travels through beer nirvana. I also appreciated t

April 18, 2009
Very charaterfull place but was a bit shocked at the level of cigarette smoke - got used to not having this to put up with in the UK. Fabulous selection of old beer. The menu takes a lot of studying and I managed to find several they were out of. Also bought quite a few bottles to take away - not cheap - but then where else are you going to get these old beers? Look forward to returning some day!

March 24, 2009
Lived in Antwerp for a couple of years wereas the last period a 100 steps away from Kulminator (I actually counted the steps). As a beer geek I was definately in heaven. The place is a bit awkward at first but soon feels like it couldn’t have been in any other way. The atmosphere is truly special and the selection of beers is absolutely unique. There are many beers that are not listed in the menu. Ever since I left Belgium this is the place I miss the most. I wrote a post about this place which can be found at http://www.oddtaste.com/kulminator-the-heaven-for-beer-lovers/ Cheers!

March 22, 2009
Visited on a quiet Friday afternoon last February, there were pleasant Mozart-like piano concertos and relaxing organ music playing, giving a very cosy feel to the place. Situated on a no-name street, across the street from an Asian restaurant that we later ate sushi at (in a great wooden boat), this beer haven has an amazing beer menu. We came back after dinner -- this was the night before the Zythos festival, mind -- and though quite busy, we still managed a corner to ourselves. Unfortunately the owner had broken his leg and couldn’t go down into the cellar to find all the rarer beers we kept asking his wife for, but what she could find in their upstairs freezer room (which you can peek inside on your way to the washrooms at the back) was nevertheless delicious and well worth sharing. An absolute gem of a place in town, not to be missed.

March 18, 2009
Small, more local type bar with so many unique and aged beers available (I had a 96 deCam gueuze where are you going to get that in the States?). I can only imagine what their cellar looks like. I heard stories of some of the beers they’ve carried. Gotta love knowing a place like this exists. Only in Belgium and worth seeking out.

March 8, 2009
Stopped in here the weekend of ZBF for a few beers. The decor is interesting and with the cats wondering around, very homely. Classical music playing and strange brewania all over the place. IO sat at the bar, but there are roughly 4-5 tables or booths, and an outdoor portion, but this was March so it’s still too cold outside. I was presented a menu and began to look through it, which took about 45 mins. It’s huge and alot of things are crossed off, or the vintage has been changed. It was busy this weekend because of ZBF but Dirk and Leen did a great job helping everyone. I started with a 2005 Still Nacht Reserva for 9 euro. What a treat, served in the proper glass, at cellar temp, and a great first beer. Next I had a Chimay Doree, an excellent lighter beer and cost me only 2.50 euro. Third I had a 1996 Ciney Speciale. The bottle was pulled off the shelf and was covered in dust and cobbwebs. I did not expect this to be such a great beer, but served at room temp and with 13 years of age on it, the

February 18, 2009
This is the greatest place to order a beer in the world - there are over 800 of them! Dirk and his wife/friend/sister are phenomenal. They are not as outgoing as Matt from Capone’s, but they know their beer for sure. This is by far the place with the best variety of beer in the world. I had a beer from my birth year - 1979. Paul and I first ordered an Affligem Noel 1986 - ridiculous. Other notables were the Chimay Grand Reserve 1999, Cantillon Gueze 1986, and most importantly of all the "special special special" (in Dirk’s words) Stille Nacht 2005, which of course is retired and received a 99 on this website.