Bars are an integral part of the heritage of cities and towns, for it is at their counters and tables that the pulse of destiny is measured, where locals and tourists fix the world in a few hours and where everyone understands each other, regardless of the language they speak.
Themed, chicly decorated classics, the old favorites set in different corners of the world… today there are venues of as many kinds as there are tastes. While there is also a category that encompasses those notable for curious characteristics, few are, if any, more unique than the one that hides in the streets of the Belgian city of Ghent, where they ask you for a shoe as a deposit to serve you one of their beers. Bars, what places!
More than 500 types of beers
Beer culture holds great importance in Belgium, a country that currently produces more than 1,500 varieties using different fermentation methods. It plays a significant role in both daily life and festive events. There was a time when beer was healthier to drink than water, as the latter was contaminated and its consumption could lead to various illnesses. Moreover, residents also use it for cooking, washing cheeses, and accompanying certain foods.
Such is the notoriety this culture has reached that UNESCO declared it an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. This is why you cannot plan a trip to this European corner without including on the itinerary a route of bars or spaces dedicated to this precious liquid without which even Homer would go mad.
If you decide to visit Ghent, a city where specialty beers are abundant, there is one address you must add to your list of essentials. In the heart of the historic center, on the lively Vrijdagmarkt square, lies Dulle Griet, a medieval-tinged establishment with a menu that includes more than 500 references in what is a true ode to Belgian beer craft. With the broadest selection in Ghent, they range from classic Trappist brews to exclusive regional variants, making this an ideal spot for a small tasting or to discover new flavors.
A unique ritual
But beyond its intriguing menu, it is the way one of its variants is served that makes this visit unmissable. It is a drink of exactly 1.2 liters whose tasting has become a genuine ritual that regulars and visitors have enjoyed for years, the ‘Max van’t Huis’.
This beer is served in a striking vessel, the kwak – also known as koetsiersglas – which has the hourglass shape and is held up by a wooden stand to prevent it from warming, something truly welcome because, to be honest, few places serve it as cold as in Spain. This peculiar receptacle is also referred to as a carriage glass in reference to its supposed origin.
