Maastricht, Limberg, The Netherlands.
Valerie and Neil recently visited Maastricht and have been kind enough to provide the following beer guide.
Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Mass river (French: Meuse) in the south-eastern part of Holland known as Limburg, close to both the Belgian & German borders. Though Maastricht is quite a small city (its population is 122.000 of people and its square is about 60 square meters), it has the atmosphere of an international capital: there one can hear Dutch, French, and German along with the dialects of the natives. This town has rich culture, history, architecture and traditions.
It is reputedly the oldest city in Holland and is home to over 1500 monuments. There are lots of cobbled streets lined with shops and a couple of new shopping centres. There are also around 400 café-bars. Maybe these are some of the reasons why every year Maastricht is visited by more than 2.6 million of tourists.
Both the citizen of Maastricht and the Dutch describe Maastricht as a typical Burundian city, because it’s very warm and shiny climate. But what makes it so attractive? Why thousands of tourists come there to do some shopping, to have a walk, to go out or just to sit in the open-air? Not only the Dutch, but also the Belgians and the Germans are fond of the unique atmosphere of the city. Maybe it's because of the Maas River, the ancient history and the historical centre with more than 1500 monuments? Or maybe the reason are the squares, 400 cafes, fabulous restaurants and boutiques? Or maybe (and it seems to be the right answer) it's due to the combination of all these factors?
Maastricht doesn't lack epithets: it's called the oldest city of the Netherlands, the city of monuments (Maastricht takes the second place after Amsterdam in the number of monuments), the city of the first episcope, the oldest industrious city, the city of shopping, the city of students and the cosiest city in the Netherlands. Life in Maastricht never stops. New shopping centres, modern hotels and posh restaurants, some of which have a number of stars – all this attracts those, who likes shopping or just wants to have a splendid time. Don't forget to visit Vrijthof Square and discover other sights of Maastricht. Try to feel this city as it is felt by the citizens of Maastricht.
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Grand Hotel de L’Empereur, Stationsstraat 2,
Mon-Fri 12:00 -15:00 & 18:00 - 22:00, Sat-Sun 18:00 - 22:00"
Gulpener Pils 5.0%, Gulpener Chateau Neubourg 5.5%
An imposing building opposite Maastricht railway station. In the entrance hall there were photos of the Hotel through the ages. Inside was very posh. We had read that they sold their own house beer De Keyzer Empereurke, (contract brewed) but alas this was no longer the case. We took a seat in the bar by the window. Neil opted for the Gulpener Pils & this time he was happy as it was served in a 50cl glass. I went for one of the bottles - Gulpener Korenwolf Witbier 5.0%. Other bottles included several from Gulpener plus 5 others.
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Falstaff, Amorsplein 6, Sun - Thur 10am- 2am,Fri - Sat 10am - 3am Grolsch Pils, Speciale Palm 5.0%, Hoegaarden 5.0%, Leffe Bruin, Pauwel Kwak, Tripel Karmeleit, La Chouffe 8.0%, Val Dieu Blond. Located in a triangle just before the main square. The outside seating overflowed into the middle of the triangle around the central statue of St. Amor. There was a music festival on this weekend and a jazz band was also playing in the triangle. Inside is quite plain with mainly wooden furniture. There is also a gallery upstairs looking over the triangle. A changing list of around 60 bottled beers, but nothing very unusual. |  |
 | De Poshoorn, Stationsstraat 47, Mon - Sun 10:00-02:00 Gulpener Pils 5.0%, Gulpener Dort 7.0%, Chateau Neubourg 5.5%, Special Petrus Aged Pale 7.5%, Smaak Van Echt 6.0%, Tripel Karmeleit. Located half way down on the left hand side heading from the station to the bridge. There were a many tables outside on the central reservation and a few on the pavement directly outside. On this warm evening they were all taken. We ventured inside & took a table by the fully open French windows. Inside had a tiled floor & wooden ceiling. There were lots of enamel plaques on the walls and some of the windows were stained glass. There was one of St Peter's church. Service was very slow as they didn't seem to have enough staff on. Other customers were getting agitated about the wait. |
't Pothuiske, Het Bat 1, Sun - Wed 10:00 - 24:00, Thur - Sat 10:00 - 02:00 Gulpener Wit Bier 4.8%, Gulpener Pils 5.0%, Gulpener Dort 7.0%, Abdij Dubbel 6.5%, Abdij Blond 6.0%, Chateau Neuborg 5.5%, Gordon Scotch Ale 8.0%, De Koninck 5.0%, Duchesse de Bourgogne 6.2%, La Chouffe 8.0%. As you walk over St Servass Bridge from Wijk turn left and there it is on the corner. We sat at one of the tables out front with a view of the river (beyond the cycle-park). Service was quite efficient despite it being busy. Food was flying out to all the tables surrounding us. It looked good too. We just stuck to the beer. There was a list of about 60 bottles, but we went for the draught. Beware the Pils looks like it will be cheap, but it is only served in 20cl glasses. Neil was thoroughly disappointed when his arrived. As well as the regular draught beers this month's specials were Diebels Alt 4.9% and Echt 6.0% which was brewed by a collaboration between Lindeboom, Alfa, Gulpenar & Budels. |  |
Take One, Rechtstraat 28, Thur - Mon 16:00 - 02:00, Tue & Wed closed.
Draught Heineken, plus specials.
Draught beer isn't the reason that this brown café is an essential visit for the beer tourist, it's the huge range of bottled beers mainly from micro-breweries. There aren't any menus, you have to make you choice from the list behind the bar on the back wall. There are two glass fronted fridges, but even more bottles tucked away in fridges under the counter. From the outside it looks like a shop. Inside there is one table at the front, stools along the length of the bar and four more tables at the back. The bar and half way up the walls were covered in bottle tops the rest of the walls were covered in beer mats, posters & plaques. Even the toilets were poster lined. Mary, one of the owners helped us make our beer choice and served us at our table along with a basket of peanuts. She ordered us to throw the shells on the floor. We thought it was sawdust. We spent two evenings in here from 6pm to midnight.
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Brasserie Britannique Vrijthof 6 Brand Pilsener, Imperator, Oud Bruin plus seasonals (Meibock, Dubbelbock, Sylvester), Wieckse Witte & Rose, Palm, Westmalle Dubbel, La Chouffe Located in the middle of a row of cafes along one side of Vrijthof square. There are lots of tables outside mainly undercover and heated. We sat on one on the edge of the pavement and watched the festivities taking place in the middle of the square. Music was being played on the bandstand, There were people dressed up and there was a march past by a group of Orange-men. Service was very efficient, despite it being rather busy at 11am. Small bottle list. Their website said it sold Keyzer Double Saison but was not available anymore. |  |
 | Café D'N 11e Boag Kesselskade 61, Sun - Mon 10:00 - 02:00 Affligem Dubbel, Wieckse Witte, Brand Rendsje, Brand Fluitjes, La Chouffe, Heineken Ice Cold. We sat outside and watched the world go by. We were far enough away from a temporary music stage not to be deafened by the dreadful singers. The sign for the café showed a arch on the Servaas Bridge. Today there are only 8 arches as part of the bridge had to be removed and replaced by an opening section to allow large boats past. There were also 2 ciders available and a small bottle list. |
In den Ouden Vogelstruys, Vrijthof 15, Mon - Sun 09:30 - 02:00
Brand Pelske, Brand Rendsje, Brand Aajd, Brand Up, Brand Imperator, Wiekse Rose, Wieckse Witte, Grimbergen Blond & Dubbel.
Located on the corner of Platielstraat. There are lots of tables outside covered by large umbrellas. We managed to get the last table. After being served it started raining so we moved inside which was also very busy & we had to stand at the back. Inside there was plenty of dark wood. Some of the windows were stained glass. There was also a small bottled beer list (11), but nothing unusual.
Big thank you to Valerie and Neil for the above; here are a few other bars that you might find intresting that they did not have time to visit, cheers Otto.
Cafe Cloche, Vrijthof 12, 6211 LD Maastricht. Sun-Thur: 09:00 - 02:00, Fri-Sat 09:00 - 03:00
Grolsch Pils, Gulpener Oud Bruin, Grolsch Weizen, Speciale Palm, Grimbergen Dubbel
One side of Vrijthof, like the main square in many Dutch towns, is wall-to-wall pubs. Cloche is about in the middle of them. The dark brown theme is accentuated by dim lighting, but if you look closely there's some fine woodwork. The carved bar counter and back give it a passing resemblance to an English pub. The ceiling has an interesting collection of disco balls. The beer range a little better than average. Though on the plus side there is the seldom seen Oud Bruin on draught, one of The Netherlands few genuinely indigenous beer styles. The staff are friendly and attentive.
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Cafe Frape, Het Bat 7
Lupus Wolf 8, Lupus Wolf 9, Lupus Wolf 7, + guest
Located at the Maasboulevard. Quite old espressobar-interior. . A lot of regulars, but strangers are also welcome. Wooden panels on the walls, some beer-related stuff. Small tap selection (4 taps) and 100+ bottles on the list but when asked it turns out there are over 200. The owner likes to surprise people, so just tell him what kind of beer you want and he’ll get something for you from their private cellar.
De Knijnspiep, Muntstraat 45 Everyday from 10 till 23 Brand Pèls, Brand Up, Brand Dubbelbock, Brand Sylvester, Brand Meibock Karmeliet Tripel, La Chouffe (Kabouterbier), Mc Chouffe, La Chouffe Houblon Liefmans Fruitbier, Westmalle Dubbel, Wieckse Witte. A very nice brown café! Translated 'the rabbit hole'; in the centre of Maastricht, nice beer choice of 12 draught beers and over 100 bottles, a must visit place. A small but long café, nice owner; local atmosphere. Note they do stock Trappist Westvleteren 8 & 12 but there is a price to pay over 12 Euros a bottle! |  |
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