Beer Shops
These two are regular ports of call whenever we visit West Flanders. They stock a mind-boggling range of beers and glasses, and you can buy any
number, or mix, of beers at very reasonable prices.
(See also our other recommended beer shops in
Belgium.)
Nevejan Drankcentrale,Graaf van Hoorweg 16, 8972 Krombeke, West Flanders
Daily 0800-1200 and 1300-1830
Saturday 0900-1200 and 1300-1700
Closed Sundays
Euros only
Tel: (from UK) 0032 57 40 00 35
It’s a long building with the counter at one end – watch out in case any trucks are operating.
Standing with your back to the counter the beers start at ‘A’ (Affligem) on your left, and work up and down the rows until you reach Zulte.
You’ll probably meet ‘Edward’ – he speaks
English and is always friendly and helpful. And if you’re interested
in beer glasses you must ask him to show you the warehouse on the opposite
side of the yard which is a Mecca for collectors of Breweriana.
There are
normally around 200 different beers in stock, including some unusual types.
We usually load up with the St Bernardus range (including Wit
and Grottenbier) and Trappists Rochefort, Orval and
Westmalle. Nevejan also keep Achel in stock these days (tip –
the blond is better than the bruin) and Chimay (although I
wouldn’t recommend anything other than the Blauw – blue cap, and
would personally prefer any of the other Trappists) and usually
have La Trappe from the Netherlands. (For the other Trappist -
Westvleteren - you'll have to visit the St Sixtus which is quite
close by, as it's only sold there.)
If you like sour
ales, Duchesse de Bourgogne, Rodenbach, and Vichtenaar
are available, and for lambik fans Girardin, Cantillon, and
Hanssens are usually on offer in corked bottles – better for laying
down. Fruit beers? Verhaeghe Echt Kriekenbier uses more real
cherries than most but the paper-wrapped bottles of Liefmans Kriek
(cherry) and Framboze (raspberry) are good too. And for something
different try a honey-flavoured beer – Barbär or for a
honey-flavoured barley wine Zatte Bie. Fans of strong golden ales
should look out for Duvel or for something different compare
Hapkin. For general purpose easy drinking beers try De Koninck,
Helleketel, or hoppy local Hommelbier. And we always find
room for a crate of Kasteelbier Bruin – a powerful, dark, sweet beer,
perfect as a nightcap.
A few tips
The warehouse is behind a car showroom. Look for the small statue which marks the way into the yard.
Follow Jeannette's example and wrap up warm if you go in the winter - it gets very chilly in the warehouse.
Update (August 2011): It seems that prices have risen considerably since our last visit. While the warehouse is still good for sourcing less common beers, some of the more widely available mainstream beers are now on the expensive side. So if you plan to stock up with a few cases of Westmalle Tripel or Tripel Karmeliet for example, make sure you compare prices at larger supermarkets, such as Carrefour or Delhaize. [Many thanks to Julian for this up-to-the-minute report.]
There is a 'Gents' but no 'Ladies'. However, the Gents is outside - on the wall - in full view of any customers arriving! My advice is to hang on until you get to 't Jagershof, a very nice bar just along the road at Bankelindeweg 58! (pictured right - see their website for map)
As a good Kasteelbier
customer Jeannette was delighted with the promotional scarf and hat to keep
out the cold!
Abelestationsplein 30, 8970 Poperinge West Flanders (on the D984/N38)
Closed Mondays.
Open on Sundays (but avoid lunchtime).
Now takes credit cards
Tel: (from UK) 0032 57 33 33 05
This is essentially a general store, selling tinned food, cheeses, sweets etc, - we particularly recommend Belgian cupasoups! - but it also stocks a vast selection of beers, along with many of their glasses.
In particular, you will find Wallonian beers here which are not so common elsewhere in Flanders, and Noël often has some of the enormous champagne-magnum-sized bottles of beer. I recently came across a magazine article which said that a London restaurant was offering these huge bottles to share with friends on special occasions at the knock-down price of several hundred pounds. Since you can pick them up in Noël's shop for around 20-30 Euros you’ve got to think someone somewhere is being ripped off!!!
The shop is surrounded by fields but you can spot it from the main road. Look out for the brewery signs and flags near the buildings.
Although the shop is open on Sundays, it's best to avoid Noël's lunch hour(s) on that day - never get between a Belgian and his Sunday lunch!
And concentrate while grabbing the bottles from the shelf - you might find you've picked up a furry feline who's very upset at your invasion of his cosy spot. Contentious note: the moggie clearly favours Hellekapelle from De Bie, whereas we prefer their Helleketel beer!
