Malz

Drink as you are! Beer geeks and ale amateurs alike are welcome in this neo-tavern which gives off a hoppy aroma, dreamt up by beer expert Joren Monnens (who used to work the bar at HAL 5). Let’s skip over the decor (a few cool booze-themed posters, old-fashioned school chairs, a canary yellow-tiled bar), because here, all the excitement is happening in the telephone-directory-like menu and in the dozen or so taps lined up against the wall. From which the boss pulls a compilation of rotating beers (€14 for a flight): the house grisette Daar Word Je MALZ Van brewed by Dok Brewing Company; Malle Magda, a local dry-hopped sour ale from Man & Brouw; or a Dutch gose beer fermented in absinth barrels by Never Wild. Other top-notch stuff that goes down quick and easy are the meads (Alchymiae, Marlobobo, Superstition, €16 a flight), and nothing but the cream of the crop when it comes to the lambics waiting patiently in the fridges (Hanssens Artisanaal, Devillé, Cantillon). Mop them all up with some meaty snacks, like hearty pies from Paul & Szu (€12) or cheese and charcuterie boards (€18-22). Top tip: Malz also sells a selection of brews in its small shop over at HAL 5. // Laszlo Dela

THE BULLET-PROOF BOTTLE: A vintage 2017 oude gueuze from Gueuzerie De Cam (€25 for 750 ml).