But what really makes a café a lambic café? We put that question to Johan ‘Wanne’ Madalijns, chairman of De Lambikstoempers. Every year, this association awards the Gouden Lambikstoemper to a hospitality business with a real passion for lambic.
When can you call a café a lambic café?
Wanne Madalijns: “We apply a number of criteria. Authenticity is important: ideally an old, traditional pub, with wooden tables and benches, and a stove that’s lit in winter. But that doesn’t have to be the deciding factor. More modern cafés can also present themselves as genuine lambic cafés. In that case, the second criterion – the range on offer – is particularly important.”
“A lambic pub naturally has a substantial beer list, featuring geuze, lambic, kriek and other fruit beers from Lambiekland. In the past, a pub landlord could still say: ‘I’ve got them all’. Today, that’s almost impossible – so many new brewers and bottlers have emerged, which is obviously a good thing. It’s then up to the pub owner to put together a fine selection, with certainly enough Oude Geuze, Oude Kriek and lambic.”
“Presentation matters too. Beer should be served in the right glass, poured neatly and with expertise. And a bottle of geuze uncorked with an old corkscrew… that immediately adds extra charm.”
“Finally, the pub owner’s knowledge is crucial. Can he tell you about the region’s rich brewing tradition? Does he know the history of the brewery or the geuze-making workshop? Does he speak with passion and a love for the product? That’s what a real lambic pub is all about.”
Are those cafés easy to find in Lambiekland?
“Absolutely. Not just in Lambiekland itself, but far beyond it too. Twenty years ago, geuze was barely on the menu. Today, demand is high, and the quality remains excellent. Young people have also discovered Oude Geuze, and the cafés are keen to cater to that.”
Where do you start with such an extensive menu?
“Personally, I usually go for the freshness of a young Oude Geuze. It doesn’t need to be old – quite the opposite. Of course, I’ve tasted bottles that are forty years old. But is it worth leaving them to age for that long? Not for me.”
Those old bottles are expensive. Is Geuze becoming a luxury product?
“No, not at all. An Oude Geuze is a quality product, but by no means expensive. If you buy a rare bottle that’s many years old, you’ll naturally pay more: exclusivity and storage costs come at a price. But sometimes it gets out of hand, especially with foreigners who pay a fortune for an old bottle that you can tell just from the photo isn’t going to be any good anymore. My advice? Stick to a normal, young Oude Geuze. That’s a wonderful experience in itself.”
We selected ten lambic cafés where the staff are happy to head down to the cellar to pour you the perfect geuze, lambic, kriek or other fruity lambic beer. With real expertise. We made the selection based on a good spread across Lambiekland.
- Café ’t Parlement - Klinkaert 10, 1500 Halle
Owners Frank and Mina have won the hearts of the people of Halle with their extensive selection of whisky, rum and, above all, a vast range of lambic and gueuze beers.
- Café Sint-Anna – Herdebeekstraat 174, 1701 Dilbeek
A cosy, down-to-earth pub with a pleasant terrace in the shadow of the famous St Anna’s Church.
- Café De Vierhoek - Langestraat 127, 1741 Ternat
Elias Vanvaerenbergh and Arn De Vos warmly welcome you to their local pub in Wambeek. Whether you’re a local, a cyclist, a walker or just passing by, you’re always welcome in their lively, light-brown pub with its sun-drenched terrace.
- In De Oude Smis van Mekingen – Jan Baptist Cardijnstraat 10, 1600 Sint-Pieters-Leeuw
De Oude Smis van Mekingen, in the hamlet of Mekingen in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, is a household name. In this iconic lambic pub, where time seems to have stood still, you can pull up a chair for a chat and a glass of lambic or geuze.
- At Gust in Sint-Martens-Lennik – Dorp 19, 1750 Lennik
Beneath the tower of St Martin’s Church, Bernadette runs the authentic ‘Bij Gust’. There are no frills here, just a no-nonsense, authentic local pub with an extensive selection of lambic, gueuze and kriek beers.
- De Kluis in Buizingen– Nachtegaalstraat 128, 1501 Halle
You’re always welcome at Sonja’s picturesque café in Buizingen for a delicious lambic, geuze or kriek.
- In ‘De Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst ’ – Frans Baetensstraat 45, 1750 Lennik
This iconic inn on Eizeringen’s church square is one of the village’s oldest buildings and boasts one of the most extensive selections of geuze and kriek in the world. Kurt opens on Sundays and public holidays.
- Café Onder de Toren – Ninoofsesteenweg 151, 1670 Pepingen
A cosy little village pub in the centre of Pepingen, where the landlord, Sander, is always delighted to welcome you.
- Café Het Vijfde Wiel - Kerkstraat 1, 1755 Pajottegem
Situated near the church on the ‘plosj’ in Oetingen, Café Het Vijfde Wiel can best be described as a cosy village pub offering not only local beers but also a proper selection of kriek and geuze.
- Café Terlindenhof – Terlindenstraat 13, 1540 Pajottegem
On the border between Herfelingen and Heikruis, you’ll find Café Terlindenhof, a genuine Pajots neighbourhood pub surrounded by peace and nature. The pub excels in offering a wide range of local produce, including lambic and gueuze beers, cheeses and other treats.
