Latest reviews from Waasmunster

“I've known this pub, tucked away on a small square in between the municipalities of Waasmunster and Hamme, for about twenty years; in its previous form and under the previous couple that ran the place, selection was limited to the Bockor range (Bockor Pils, Kriek Max etc. - this was long before even Omer existed) and one or more beers from every then-extant trappist brewery, including Westvleteren, which was basically the reason my friends and I frequented the place back then. It didn't attract a lot of customers back then even if it was as cosy a place to sit as it is now, with the same wooden interior; under the new owners, though, a wind of change has come, and now the place can get pretty crowded especially in weekends. The new couple running it is very friendly and enthusiastic (even a tad eccentric perhaps) and the interior is just as rustic and 'woody' as it was before, but with more tables crammed inside, so on a busy evening moving about is not always as easy - especially if you want to have a look at the selection, which is shown on a big chalkboard above the counter, where you are guaranteed to stand in the way of the staff running to and fro with orders. The chalkboard mentions all standard geuzes including a few specials (Horal Megablend and Boon Vat 77 on the evening I visited), next to 'regular' Belgian classics such as the trappists (including aged Orval) and standard ales like Duvel, La Chouffe and Gouden Carolus. However, apart from what is written on the chalkboard at any given moment, other beers are available as well, some lesser known regionals (IJzeren Arm, Papegaei etc.) and, much to my surprise, unblended lambics by Oud Beersel and Timmermans, and that is the very reason I bothered to enter a place rating here, in view of the current lambic hype. Some, but not all, of these additional beers are shown on smaller chalkboards positioned on the steps of the staircase leading up to the top floor, where large wooden benches are placed to create extra space to sit. I would not personally make a detour for this pub alone - after all, this is Waasland, still not having taken a serious plunge in the craft beer movement, so there is little to nothing else in the wide environment that could be of any interest to the advanced beer geek; still, if you happen to be in the Waasland area for some reason, be sure to visit this place, difficult to reach by public transport as it may be, and indulge in unblended lambic and geuze at reasonable prices. A kind of hidden gem especially in Waasland context I'd argue, but I still have no idea how to find out what beers they have for sale if there is no menu and the chalkboards are incomplete - asking the owner is probably the only way. As for the food: I can only judge the tapas style prepared meats and cheeses and those were excellent, clearly on a higher level of quality and variety than the typical salami-and-cheese fingerfood offerings you normally find in every Flemish pub.“

Alengrin 2070 days ago

“Far away from all city bars you can find this cozy little bar on the outskirts of Waasmunster and Hamme. It’s worth the trip however... The beer selection is not fixed but there is always a large selection of Geuzes and most trappists are served (some on tap, Orval also aged). The food is fingerlickingly good, tapas style, but good old spaghetti too. Great ambiance (maybe even more in Winter), and passionate staff.“

Bontus 3123 days ago