Mechelen Beer Guide: Your Mechelen guide to beer, beer bars, breweries and brewpubs

Latest reviews from Mechelen

60 /100
Kuub (Bar)
MINDERBROEDERSGANG 3A
“We sat inside on a sunny day. The beers on offer were more on the regular side so not much on offer for us. 2 sides of the bar were glass floor to ceiling. There were a lot of plants dotted around. Service was efficient.“
vshollows 24 days ago
82 /100
Makadam (Bar)
GROTE MARKT 11
“Located on the main square. The prices were reasonable given it's location. The tap list contained some rarer beers. There was a small bottle/can list. Most of them were on the rarer side. We sat inside and the barman served us personally. When he went off shift service was a little slower. But it was busy outside.“
vshollows 24 days ago
70 /100
Kuub (Bar)
MINDERBROEDERSGANG 3A
“Interesting cube shaped building in the center, theater drapes and looks like a theater café, seems to do indeed quite a bit of parties’ events. Massively popular upon visit from a diverse crowd. Quick service, menu is small for beer with Het Anker beers obviously, two contract brewery ticks for me, tried one was very middle of the road. BBP, Het Nest, Duvel also on the list and two NA options, soda, coffee, wine etc. Fun enough place, far from essential.“
77ships 194 days ago
76 /100 NAUWSTRAAT 7
“Utterly gorgeous Art Nouvea bar with a terrace in the back overlooking the water, essential if you’re into this kind of interior. Troubadour Magma on tap was a nice surprise. Also 1+ year Orval available, the remainder of the menu is less interesting. Quick service, payment by card possible.“
77ships 194 days ago
70 /100 WOLVERBOSSTRAAT 42
“Beautiful spot. Former church. Brewery, distillery, lemonade producer. You can either sit and drink or buy their products. Do visit when in Mechelen. Now not so commercial as their Anker brothers. (9-2023).“
franclh 253 days ago
92 /100 NAUWSTRAAT 9
“Brilliant pub. Breaths beer, excentric, friendly owner. Over 500 beers. Very good working digital beer menu. Mostly Belgian beers, local brews, large gueuze collection. Very interesting. Do visit. (9-2023).“
franclh 254 days ago
62 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Large and cozy. Unfortunately not all Anker beers available. Various tastings possible though. Brewery tour possible. Food good but no value for money. Do visit when in Mechelen. (9-2023).“
franclh 254 days ago
78 /100
Makadam (Bar)
GROTE MARKT 11
“Small pub, squeezed between a lot of other pubs at the Grote Markt. Pretty large beer collection. Easy to scroll through using a qr code. Do visit when in Mechelen. (9-2023).“
franclh 255 days ago
62 /100 VISMARKT 20
“Cozy place on a lively square. Visit it on a friday afternoon. Collection of beers a bit dissapointing but is changing over time. (9-2023).“
franclh 255 days ago
74 /100 WOLVERBOSSTRAAT 42
“Brewpub, distillery and lemonade producers founded by Het Anker. Located quite a bit from the center 45 min walk or a short bus ride but the bus comes only once an hour in the weekend. It is located inside a repurposed church and it looks absolutely amazing, massive installation, the roof, beams, stained glass windows, bar in the middle. Very impressive and amazing. They do food as well including vegan, vegetarian, gluten free etc. options, didn’t eat here. They do a flight of their lemonades, seems like they make a syrup since they asked if I wanted it still or sparkling, every lemonade had a small matching garnish, mint, blood orange and lemon. Lemonades were really good. About 6 taps but also canned beer, I have never seen their cans before anywhere. Pilsner, saison, IPA, RIS etc. Flights and small pours available. Beers were overly Belgian, dull, esters, largely although the coffee stout was okay, saison was doable. Their Pastis on the other hand was just amazing. Service is QR code or order at the bar, ordering at the bar you need to wait a bit for the screen to change from food to drinks or vice-versa. Service could be tad faster given how it is QR etc. Overall worth it definitely for the venue as well as the lemonade and distillate, beer is a bonus.“
77ships 355 days ago
72 /100 NAUWSTRAAT 9
“Quite a legendary bar that used to be located elsewhere and closed some time before reopening at a new location with same owner and everything. Lovely terrace, local customers, interior is old fashioned, far bigger than expected, apply old fashioned in spots. QR code didn’t work but they’re an Untappd verified venue. Cash or Payconiq. Okay prices. 15 taps with solid classic beers like St. Bernardus, Malheur as well as total rubbish like Delirium Tremens, Filou etc. Nothing shocking but solid beers. Bottles selection didn’t appear as large as advertised, I highly doubt that they have 300 beers, less common De La Senne and Alvinne beers were the most notable ones. Good place to drink a quad or high boost 1990s style Belgian blond.“
77ships 355 days ago
82 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Large but cosy place, friendly service, good food. A must visit when in Mechelen.“
JefVerstraete 500 days ago
76 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“langs gegaan na een wandeling in de buurt van mechelen samen met mijn schoonouders ,philip en mijn vriendin els we hebben alleen de brasserie gedaan het was er druk en we moesten om 17 u weg omdat ze volzet waren voor gasten die kwamen eten maar het is wel een gezellige brasserie met alleen hun eigen bieren maar die vind ik best goed dus dat is niet erg voor mij de bediening was goed en heel professioneel alleen jammer dat het vol zit met toeristen maar het is zeker een plaats waar je langs moet gaan als je in mechelen bent“
Wim 834 days ago
76 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“leuke plaats om te vertoeven met een whiskey infused van eigen makelij die ook mooi past in die setting“
goldenoldie 848 days ago
94 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Zeer gezellige brasserie die we bezocht hebben na een rondleiding in de brouwerij. Lekker eten, natuurlijk allemaal met een toets Gouden Carolus“
PellicleChief51 1365 days ago
76 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“This spot serves a multi-purpose goal: it's a casual restaurant, it's the brewery-distillery's shop, and it's where Het Anker hotel guests get their breakfasts. My review is both as restaurant patron and as a hotel guest (and as a drinker of the brewery's and distillery's concoctions, so an all-rounder.) The place is neat, within the brewery's premises, full of memorabilia and has a nice service (some, but not all, of them speak fairly good English.) Food is fine, nothing over the top but all-round nice. Drinks are mostly (as expected) house brews, but also some wines, nothing flashy. Breakfasts are very good, I must say, and I think they're also served to non-guests under demand. Oh, and they close very late for Belgium, like near midnight (just the bar, not the bistro.)“
huineman 1388 days ago
82 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Nice brewery tour, very interesting and perfect size and timing. Easy to miss the enterence if you coming from the wrong direction. You can even drop your wee child/ren baby-dump;).“
Nisse666 1788 days ago
84 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Spent a night in the hotel and did the brewery and distillery tour. Both were very pleasant, very well done. Enthusiasm and knowledge from the staff. Had a delicious lunch in the brasserie. Very satisfying stay.“
Benzai 1869 days ago
70 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Zeer mooie setting, top bieren, het eten vond ik wat minder.“
DraftWhisperer85 1929 days ago
78 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Before flying back home from Zaventem we stopped here for lunch. Large restaurant spreading over several rooms and floors with a small shop in the back. Decent selection of their own beers, went for the flight, beer quality was so so. Stew was very good. Seems it's on a tourist route because the shop was full of Russian people who seemed to be confused by the beers. Anyway it was a good lunch and a nice visit, not sure I'd come back though.“
Iznogud 1940 days ago
72 /100
Kuub (Bar)
MINDERBROEDERSGANG 3A
“Nice bar in the centre of Mechelen. Just nearby the big place and shopping streets and in the shadow of St. Rombouts-tower. A lot of animo in summer. Nice side activities as old skool games, concerts, sports on big screen, wrestling, … Service was ok, a bit slow but it was really busy (and melting hot for the crew as well). Selection of probably everything of Het Anker (even Indulgence from tap) but more interestingly added with 5 suggestions every month. Suggestions are a combination of classics, classics to be, and "exclusives". Prices are acceptable. Not the place to go if you want to discover beer you have never tasted. Thé place to go if you want something with a nice ambiance with good drinks in the centre of Mechelen.“
MrW 2111 days ago
92 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“After the tour in the brewery treu the old buildings where they now keep the whisky barrels of stokerij de molenberg and the brewery itself you get 2 tasters. Verry Nice tour and well explained. Only their own range of beers in the bar and If you want to eat you better make a reservation. I really enjoyed eating there and i would recomment to do it if you have the change to do it. Friendly and helpfull staff!“
MrRamy 2124 days ago
94 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“GREAT tour yesterday at Het Anker brewery in Mechelin, Belgium. I give it 94 out of 100 points. They make the Gouden Carolus beers. They took us deep into the 150 yr old factory, 6 floors up, and gave lots of detailed explanations, including stuff they havent used in a long time, like the malting floor itself, and two old methods for cooling. Nice juxtaposition of old/new, historical/working. Thorough. Two samples at the end. Recommended.“
keithk 2166 days ago
78 /100
Makadam (Bar)
GROTE MARKT 11
“This bar has a lovely craft/DIY - feel all over it. In the summer, the bar has a outdoor place on the towns square, but now in winter it’s more cosy inside. The bar has tables, but also has a corner upstairs where you can have a read or play a game with your company. The service was quick and very friendly. The waitress could give a brief explanation about the guests on tap, and did it a few minutes later in English to the guy next to us. The bar has not the largest selection, but a good one. Combination of "the classics" on the market, but more interesting are there crafts. Since the bar had new owners (december 2017) the international selection is gone. Nice specials from Belgium though. As mentioned by other reviewers, you don’t have to come here if you want a cheap and quick drink. The prices are not the cheapest, but since the selection and the location, they are correct. I’d certainly come back to this place!“
MrW 2304 days ago
72 /100
Makadam (Bar)
GROTE MARKT 11
“Probably the most interesting selection of beers in Mechelen in what reminds me of a British micropub as it appears to have been converted from a small shop. Represented breweries included Beer Project Brussels, De la Senne and De Struise along with some stuff I've never heard of. Seemed very popular on a Friday lunchtime. Prices are on the high side with some of the more common beers being ridiculously expensive (E7.50 for Rochefort 10). Getting to the toilets is like climbing Everest but you get a nice view of the square.Certainly worth a look if in town“
baxterfish 2388 days ago
84 /100 KEIZERSTRAAT 20
“Small Brown caf? and the local peoples Place. We like it a lot and it was quet the T Anker was not“
Amstel 2492 days ago
86 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“This rating is for there own beers. They are in a very good kvality and are teastful. restaurant is also very good but you must reserv a table our sit in the bar downstairs. But lookout for the turist Groups they are lot of them!!!“
Amstel 2492 days ago
72 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Awesome historic building, with multiple story brewery with a bunch of narrow staircases and winding turns. It used to have a malt house attached too, but they have contracted that out at this point. Impressive tour that was expansive and very fun. The guy giving the tour had some bad humor that turned misogynistic at times. The restaurant was really nice, with all the beers they make seasonally available. A cool spot.“
jbruner 2570 days ago
70 /100 VISMARKT 20
“Bar serving Het Anker beers on the nice ’Vismarkt’ (fishmarket) in Mechelen. Perfect place to hang out in the summer. All the terraces are crowded and there is a nice athmosphere. Lovely view on the old Lamot brewery. Prices are acceptable, yet the selection is rather small. Service is good and friendly, yet when there’s a lot of visitors, it’s a bit slower. My go to place in Mechelen in the summer.“
MrW 2638 days ago
66 /100 KEIZERSTRAAT 20
“More than 30 beers from the bottle.“
Michael27 2660 days ago
84 /100
Makadam (Bar)
GROTE MARKT 11
“Maybe a bit expensive for the food, beer are normal prices, very nice selection of beers, I even found 3 which I had never had before (not many places manage that!). I absolutely loved the humus sandwich with sweet-sour wasabi dressing!“
tderoeck 2671 days ago
78 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“Visited the 11th November with friends for brewery tour - Nice brewery to visit. Great explanation and nice brewery tour. Highly recommended to discover how to do beer. After the tour, there was sample to taste at the bar. Good ambiance . Nice place. Highly recommended.“
sir__v 2745 days ago
76 /100 GUIDO GEZELLELAAN 49
“The small shop is not really worth it. Very limited amount of different beers available considering we are at the source. To be improved on! The restaurant is very nice though. Friendly service and speedy, both in serving food and getting beers. Not too packed and an overall slick appearance. Not too ’artificial’. The ’burger’ was effectively a veal meatball on a bun but absolutely delicious and serviced with fresh greens and home made fries... we would come back just for this! And that is a bit the main reason to come back, unfortunately, because after 1 new beer there was nothing more to tick. That’s what you get when only a mere 10 beers are available. Those are nice Belgian brews, but doesn’t even the most average Belgian beer drinker want to try something new now and then? Still, when we have friends over we might return here. And a very nice place to rate on itself. Prices a a tat high, but it highly depends on what you get.“
erickok 2853 days ago
68 /100 VISMARKT 20
“A comfortable spot to drink some Anker beers in the city centre. i know they’re available pretty much all over town but this place is owned by Het Anker so is a good option. They have a full range of the beers. Gouden Carolus Noel was particularly scrumptious on draft one time we visited on the way to Kerstbierfestival. not a destination in itself but worth a visit.“
chriso 3100 days ago
84 /100
Makadam (Bar)
GROTE MARKT 11
“Not the cheapest, but definitely the best in Mechelen. Great music, nice selection on tap. I love it here.“
trieckie 3187 days ago
76 /100
Makadam (Bar)
GROTE MARKT 11
“Nice beer place on main square, with good range of special craft beers from Belgium and Holland. Good athmosphere, bit expensive.“
vipinvelp 3191 days ago
72 /100
Makadam (Bar)
GROTE MARKT 11
“New review: Located at the Grote Markt so bonus points for the terrace and best of the bars located there specialty beer wise. Nice interior – adequate service. Still nothing crazy selection wise but there were common beers from Troubadour, De Ranke, Gouden Carolus, BBP and most interestingly they had a 3 glasses flight of Oud Beersel bag-in-a-box lambiek. Best place to pick probably if you want a place at the Grote Markt. Most people will likely find one tick here and there are vegetarian food options and sizeable food menu. Okay prices. Old review: An intriguing place. Located in the towns square, the atmosphere, beer selection & furnishing were intriguing but I couldn’t discern any underlying theme other than stuff that is cool. It looked like an odd mix between a modern wooden bar & a tea shop. It still showed some signs of being seemingly a house at some point. More people were drinking tea here than beer & the place had noticeably less costumers than the other bars in proximity. The music was just as endearing and eclectic as the place itself switching between 50s music, classical, electronic,… Prices were quite high but the whole was charming, very relaxing & made for a great drinking and reading place so I wound up being here much longer & spending much more than I intended. As for the beer selection, they actually used the term craft beer,… The listed quite a few To Øl & De Molen at acceptable prices with some more interesting local beers, some of which had the highest prices I might have ever seen aka 4.50 euro for Orval. I had a sandwich with some hummus & vegies which was rather expensive and decent / okay. Despite my seeming complaints, I really enjoyed being here in this calm & quirky atmosphere. I had a brief chat with the owner (I assume), the guy is really passionate about USA styles beer &making the better known, we had a nice chat about To Øl. An interesting place that I wouldn’t mind coming back to at some point, it might be too pricy for regular drinking. I had the odd feeling that this place might need to adjust a bit too fare optimally financially. Quirky & loveable.“
77ships 3233 days ago