de Leute
Oerenstraat 19, 8690 Oeren, Belgium
Mon-Fri 14.00-??; Sat-Sun 11.00-??;
Closed Tues
Web:
www.eetcafedeleute.be
This village pub is mentioned by the name of ‘de proper Leute’ in records
dating from 1670 and is described as having been so called ‘from olden times’ -
the name means ‘pleasure’ or ‘fun’ in local dialect.
In 1783 de Leute was bought by Jacobus Benedictus de Cal, who had the front
raised and used his initials in the shapes of the wall braces. After the French
Revolution and the establishment of local government, de Leute served as the
town hall. Marriages were solemnised, meetings held and accounting done. In
January 1971 Oeren was merged with Alveringem and de Leute became solely a pub
again.
There
is a pleasant conservatory and a children's play area at the back but the front
part of the building is much more interesting. It has an older, rustic look,
with mugs hanging from the ceiling, and a flight of stairs to an upper room
which formerly served as the mayor’s office.
But the
main reason for calling in here is that de Leute is a brewery tap for
de Bie,
and you can try the beers here, or buy them, with the appropriate glasses,
individually or in packs. (And of course a range of snacks and light meals are
served should you feel in need of sustenance.)
Brouwerij De Bie is based at Loker (near Dranouter, which you will of course know as the ‘Flanders Glastonbury’, the site of the world-famous Belgian Folk Festival). They are a relatively new and adventurous brewery, and most of their innovations work exceedingly well. My personal favourites are Helleketel (Witch’s cauldron) and Zatte Bie (Sweet bee – a honey flavoured barley wine and a good nightcap). The Hellekapelle name (formerly used for the brewery too) means Hell Chapel and comes from the proverb that where God builds a church Satan builds his own chapel (i.e. a pub) nearby.
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Others from de Bie include
Plokkersbier
7%, (hop-pickers beer) a herbal pale ale;
Kriekedebie
6% a light brown ale with cherry juice;
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