Ypres (leper), is a town in the Belgian province of West Flanders. It's surrounded by the Ypres Salient battlefields, where many cemeteries, memorials and war museums honour the battles that unfolded in this area during World War I. After being destroyed in the war, many important buildings were carefully reconstructed, including Gothic-style Sint-Maartenskathedraal (St. Martin's Cathedral) and its soaring spire. Its restored Lakenhalle is one of Belgium's most spectacular buildings. Once a bustling centre of industry ranking alongside Bruges and Ghent, it's now impossible to reference Ypres (Ieper in Dutch) without acknowledging the huge role it played in WWI. Ypres has become a place of pilgrimage for many. It's the gateway to the Salient (aka Flanders Fields), a bow-shaped bulge that formed the front line around town; some 300,000 Allied soldiers and up to 200,000 civilians and German troops lost their lives here. Updated July 2022.
Brouwerij De Kazematten, Houten Paard
Open: Sat 15.00 - 17.00
Tours only: Cost €10 per person guided tour of the brewery and taste 3 beers, tours in Dutch start at 15.00 & 17.00 guided tours in English at 16.00 Located just inside the town centre so the moat is the one side with residential houses the other side of the street. It is about 5-10 mins south east walk from the centre. The brewery is within what was an old Munitions shelter which as you'll find out from the video presentation on the brewery tour was one of the few places that remained intact during the Great War. Inside you will find yourself in three large very old brick vaulted arches that go back quite a way, if viewing from the front the left hand side one is where the brewery is housed, the centre arch is where the bar and seating is and the right hand one they probably use for functions, you watch a video in there. It is an interesting tour and worth the admission fee, the beers are fine.
Kaffee Bazaar, Boomgaardstraat 9
Open: Wed - Sun 16.00 - 01.00
Kaffee Bazaar is farly centrally located just around the corner from Chez Marie, Bottle Shop so when you get to the top end of the Grote Markt and Cloth Hall, turn left down Boomgaardstraat and it is long here on the left. From the outside it is a simple and tidy in terms of looks. Inside there are 2-3 small tables at the front end. The bar is centrally located where the bar/cafe narrows and there are a few stools up to it and then the place opens up again at the rear with further seating to be found here and a quiet secluded garden to the rear. Its a calm, relaxing environment, with a nice mix of folk. Decor is simple, with classic rock music played. An extensive range of domestic and foreign beers from the local region and beyond. What a sublime idea for a blacklist 😃 Don't tell anyone, these beers are reserved for me! You really could sit here for hours and be as happy as a pig in 💩. The staff are friendly, this place turn's Ieper from a drowsy backwater into a top beer destination (IMO but hey what do I know?).
’t Klein Rijsel, Rijselsestraat 208
Open:10.30 - 20.00 Closed: Wed - Thurs
Located near the Ramparts Cemetery right next to Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) at the southern extreme of the old town walls. This is a cosy and friendly place with a young proprietor who is running a small museum that his father started. A decent range of 56 beers, no micros, but lots of Flanders family brewers. The house beer, Vredesbier, may be brewed by Van Steenberge, but you come here for the conversation and the atmosphere.
Biercafe St Arnoldus, Menenstraat 19
Open: Daily 11.00 - 23.00 maybe even later?
Situated just down the road from Ieper central square. A long narrow room, with the bar on the left, tables along the right that run right into the garden area at the back. Good range of draft on 25 taps plus over 100 bottle's including some local options. Worth a look-in when in Ieper.
’T Binnenhuys 1772, De Stuersstraat 8
Open: Wed - Sat 10.00 - 18.00 Sun 14.00 - 18.00
A hidden gem! Shabby chic antiques and a warming log burner, it's like stepping back in time. This place is of historical interest as the only place in Ypres to survive WW1 intact. It’s the sort of eccentric place which makes Belgium such a great place to drink, part museum, part interior design shop and part café. The café itself is charming and sitting in the courtyard on a sunny day with a beer is pure joy. The beer menu is rather good too, plus the coffee is good and the pancake and apple cake portions are huge! Highly recommended and an essential visit for Ypres.
’t Klein Stadhuis, Grote Markt 32
Open: Tues - Sun 11.00 - 23.00
’t Klein Stadhuis is located in the Grote Markt tucked into the top corner by the Cloth Hall, Inside there are a few stools up to the bar and one or two high tables along the side edge near the bar which they seem happy to let those who just want a drink use, otherwise it is a standard restaurant lay out. There is a covered area out the front with heating, a raised area with tables on the ground floor and further seating/tables upstairs. The menu was typically Belgian as you would expect the servings were generous and pricing fair. This isn't a go to beery destination, however the beer choice is decent enough and the prices are very good and on the basis that Ypres isn't overrun with lots of beer destinations then this should definitely be on an mini beer tour of the city.
BVBA The Times, Korte Torhoutstraat 7
Open: Wed - Fri 14.00 - 23.00 Sat - Sun 10.30 - 02.00
A tiny pub just off the Grote Markt consists of a longish bar, three smaæ tables inside and a few more outside. It feels like a place for locals, with the barman seemingly knowing every customer. He is quite friendly to outisders, too, though. The selection mirrors the size: with 35 bottles it is unlikely to sweep you off your ticking feet. However, it features the local Pilsner on tap, which is decent. Cheap and cheerful. Good for a quick visit if you are in town.
Brasserie Kazematten, Bollingstraat 1
Open: Tues - Sun 11.00 - 22.00
This place is located in the city wall of Ieper, in what may have been used by the military during WWI? There are old telephone lines in the vaulted ceilings and is a funny mixture of old and new, with the white washed brick walls and vaulted ceiling but modern glass and steel interior. Service is good, and the quality of the draught beers is excellent.
Chez Marie, Neermarkt 6
Open: Wed - Mon 09.30 18.30
A very nice and friendly little shop selling beer and a few other food and drink bits and bobs. The staff are super friendly and helpful, the selection is pretty decent with plenty of local and more modern breweries as well as a decent range of the classics. A decent balance between beer geekery and keeping general tourists happy I'd say. Prices obviously higher than the supermarkets but overall not expensive. A great little stop.
I hope you found my guide to the brewpubs and bars in Ypres useful?
Now you just need to get yourself out there and start the beer adventure for yourself!
Go grab a locally brewed pint (or 2) and support your local brewers!
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