Kulminator

baggio

Sweden

4.2/5  rDev -8.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Visited this place on 25/3 and 26/3 2010.

Very laidback atmosphere and quite a small place. They had a nice bunch of christmasbeers on draught and the bush noel was especially tasty. Glad i got to try it on draught.

The beerlist is very impressive but can be a bit overwhelming. Some of our must-try-beers included Stille Nacht Reserva 2005 and Struise Earthmonk. The owner seemed a bit off at first but after we talked to him a bit and explained our interest in belgian beer he warmed up quite a bit and let us try alot of interesting brews. The vintage beers are quite affordable and it was fun trying a 20,10 and 0 years old blue chimay side by side.

Food consists of sausages and cheese but is adequate for a place like this and the servings are very generous.

Service can be a bit slow and the owner is an odd fellow but his wife is an angel and very friendly. This place is a must for any beerlover. Just hope you catch the owner on a good day and you'll be in for a rare treat.

04-05-2010 21:18:32 | More by baggio

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

After a day with a medieval castle and a canal tour in Ghent, we headed to Antwerp to spend the night and drink at the Kulminator, a world class bar with free roam cats--perfect. Or, so we thought. Easy walk from our hotel in the historic heart of Antwerp, which was terribly confusing to drive. I would take a train next time. Entering the bar, it may be the highest density of beer I've ever seen. Taking a seat in the back patio, it was hard to decide what to drink. Just so many beers to chose from that it can be paralyzing.

So I started in familiar territory and ordered a La Trappe Quadruple. This 1995 bottle was poured hard at the table without a decant. Small bottle. Head falls flat quickly and there was only the faintest pop on the cap. Dusty, dirty bottle with a label style that I haven't seen before. Musty, oxidized cherry and port like flavors. The normal oiliness and full flavor has dissipated. Lighter bodied, as if the yeast had thinned it out. Alcohol not apparent either. Interesting but I won't let quad bottles at home go this long.

Then, so I could justify being at the Kulminator, I ordered an Evolution of Chimay bottles: 1992. 2002 and 2012. Very fun side by side tasting, including the oldest aged beer that I've ever had at a 20 year old Chimay. The young Chimay is fresh, but the better than adequate beer that I've always thought it to be. It doesn't match up La Trappe for me. The 10 year version is showing some signs of age with clear cherry and port notes from oxidation and the alcohol is apparent in the nose. The 20 year old is very flat though a small head appeared briefly on the hard pour and the oxidation of the 10 year old is in full bloom in the 20. Comparing similarly aged bottles really made the differences from the cellar clear and apparent; it pulled together years of tastings from my own cellar. On a learning level, very worth the trip. It's an extraordinary experience without having to wait for 20 years in my own cellar.

Kulminator in a fine place with an amazing list. However, I will never return during the summer, particularly to avoid the gnats lurking the plants and the uncomfortable lack of air conditioning. The bar is hot and the beer served at room temperature, which affects the aging process. Today is clearly beyond any recommended temperature for aging. I'm not sure where the bottles are coming from but it seems to be just from the shelf; the bottles are clearly room temp on sweltering day. And, no kittens for most of the stop. They made a late appearance and were not very friendly.

Returning to our hotel the Hilton Antwerp, the AC was not keeping up, so we moved to a colder room. While walking, the desk clerk said it was the hottest weekend since 1994. Talk about hitting a bad day at an open air beer bar. With a beer geek dream of a cellar, I see why it's so revered but it's not my favorite bar. I would happily prefer a day at 't Arendsnest in Amsterdam, the former Brickskeller in DC or Rattle-n-Hum in New York. Another day, another time, especially in winter, I would like to give the famous K another try.

More at http://pintsizedrevelations.blogspot.com/2013/03/kulminator-antwerp-belgium.html

05-19-2013 19:29:02 | More by FightingEntropy

DoubleJ

California

4.73/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5 | $

Belgian businesses seem to like taking Monday off, as I failed to find several Antwerp beer bars which were open. Doubt cast into my mind about the Kulminator, as I only planned to visit the city for one day. I made it to the door, oh good, there's a crowd. Walk in, ok, where do I sit? Seating in limited to a handful of tables inside, and in back is a small area to drink and sit.There's nowhere to sit at the bar, but behind it are hundreds upon hundreds of cellared beers which are waiting to be opened from the shelf. The beer menu reflects that, as I felt like I was flipping through the Encyclopedia Brittanica.

About 8 beers are listed on-tap (Buffalo Stout, Avec Les Bons Vieux, Bush Noel, Kaastel Cuvee), but that's not the main reason to visit. Its long bottle list not only features hundreds of hundreds of different beers, but a vast majority of them have been aged for at least one year, and in some cases more than 10 years old. With such a vast collection, I chose to drink classics with some age; Round 1 featured 2005 Orval (great!), Round 2 was a still lovely 1998 Chimay Blue, and Round 3 was 2010 3 Fonteinen, poured from a traditional handbasket. All three beers were excellent, served cool, and with matching glassware. One additional bonus are the prices for the aged beer; the "fresh" beers are priced right in line, but compared to other places with a few cellared beers, the prices are excellent. My 1998 Chimay way only €9!

Unfortunately, time may not be on the Kulminator's side. According to one regular patron, Dyrk was working with a bum knee and had planned to retire within the next month. This leaves the duties to his hard working wife (who took, delivered, and poured the orders during the night), but after her there's no heir. If you're a beer lover and anywhere in Benelux, a visit to Kulminator is obligatory, even more so with its future in the air.

05-18-2013 03:02:55 | More by DoubleJ

PaulAlvin

4.48/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

The place to visit if you're looking for great disappeared beers, the place isn't that big so it's hard to find a seat. Here you can find some unexpected beers from different years, real vintage beers, some beers of disappeared breweries. The way they manage all that beers in unbelievable, they poor it perfectly in your glass. The price is what you pay for such an experience.

01-28-2013 08:33:21 | More by PaulAlvin

eric5bellies

Australia

4.95/5  rDev +7.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $

Fulfilled a dream coming to this Bar and wasn't dissappointed.

Dyrk and his lovely wife were so hospitable and left me with a truely memorable experience. I brought Dyrk a couple of gifts which he really appreciated.

I was lucky enough to taste the Westy Red Cap and a host of other aged Westvleterens / St Sixtus beers that were remarkable. People on here complain that the service is slow, all I saw was his wife work her butt off two nights in a row trying to do her best, If Americans go there expecting American service then don't, this is Europe so get used to it, oh and by the way we don't expect a tip.. She was so lovely and even gave us a book to keep. The two year old Belgian cheese was exquisite, as were the meats. The beer menu speaks for itself and you could get lost in it. With a St Sixtus 1979 costing 11 euro's can you really complain ? I

One thing I did notice that Dyrk and his wife aren't getting any younger, and at some point they will retire. I just hope this place is presereved as a beer museum and it lives on for all to enjoy.

10-05-2012 13:47:01 | More by eric5bellies

Heretic42

Texas

4.53/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$$

A: Kulminator is small, and for lack of a better word, quaint. The actual bar area is filled/cluttered with beer paraphernalia and empty (usually rare) bottles, which gives it both a homey and claustrophobic feel at the same time. The tables and the small terrace in the back are great for having a beer with a few friends.

Q: Quality was excellent with a vast selection of Belgian beers.

S: Service was excellent each time I went, but it was never very packed.

S: Selection is excellent for Belgian beers, especially for cellared beers. While not the largest bottle list I've seen in Belgium, it certainly has the highest quality. They also had an good selection of Mikkeller beers. That said, don't come here expecting to see your favorite German or American beer.

F: A few cheeses, meats, and other bar snacks.

V: Oddly, a bit overpriced on some of the more common bottles while some of the more rare (or at least older) bottles were reasonable. The food was also a tad bit pricey, but not very far out of the average for Belgium.

O: A must go if you're in Antwerp, especially if you like cellared beers or are looking for a hard-to-find Belgian beer. However, if you just want a more common beer or something on tap, I'd probably recommend going elsewhere.

06-06-2012 23:35:54 | More by Heretic42

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.53/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

The amazing late afternoon stop at the famed Kulminator provided the perfect warm up for the Zythos festival the following day. A somewhat meandering path through the 6-8 blocks from Antwerp's main town square leads down the austere and understated storefront that hugs the cobblestone street. The Kulminator is denoted by the brightly colored yellow/green sign that screams 'destination'. Already 30 minutes before 4pm there's a group of about a dozen anticipating beer drinkers vying to get a seat. Strange how popular this bar is at 49 people at a time. That's right, the occupancy is limited to 49 people because of the scant seating and tight corridors inside- this place exudes tradition and quality.

Once inside, we're greeted by an over-stuffed interior that's haphazardly decorated with hop vines, other plants, trinkets, beer propoganda, and crates with empty bottles of Westvleteren pretending to be in use but is merely decoration. This induces a mouthwatering effect as I settle into the bench seating near the front window and cozily hosts our group of ten. Even a working cuckoo clock tells me how much time has passed- like I cared. The place could use a dusting every now and then as the place seems to strike fear in the claustrophobic or allergy ridden patrons.

The extensive, hard bound beer menu could have easily been mistaken for remnant from Raiders of the Lost Ark as it is very classily bound and hosts a plethora of beer varieties and vintages... choosing a beer could take forever. Settling on a De Dolle Orebier '02 and '07 for comparisons sake took care of the first two rounds. A follow up of Three Floyds/Struisse Shark Pants, Struisse Damnation Coffee, and De Molen Hel & Verdominis Wild Turkey Barrel Aged edition left me happy and well satisfied. The tap selection rounds out about six offerings and span the classy additions of Tripel Karmeliet, De Koninck, Avec le bons Veaux and a few more. Although not cheap, the vintage items on the menu seemed reasonable and justified.

With little food at their disposal, a carefully carved selection of meats and cheeses provided the perfect companion for the beers. The palate exploration with trial and error ensures a well rounded experience at the table.

A narrow path to the gentleman's room goes past a window to their cellar which boasts stacks of bottles, dusted to the gills and in oddly placed rhyme or reason. Further yet, the path reveals a small patio beyond for those few non-rainy days in Antwerp.

With it's charm and quirkiness, it's no surprise that the entire staff consists of the modest husband and wife team and no one else. So ample patience is required when placing orders. These guys just don't get in a rush to do anything.

For the serious beer lover, Kulminator is a must-stop on any visit to Antwerp as this lazy Thursday evening left an indelible impression on my mind and in my heart that's not likely to be forgotten anytime soon.

05-07-2012 17:19:12 | More by BEERchitect

mtbdonn

United Kingdom (England)

4.45/5  rDev -3.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$

A-The place is quaint and interesting, but very small; get there when it opens if you want a table.
Q-Outstanding, 1st rate! The menus of aged beers is undescribable! You have to try the Westvleteren flight!
S-Only one waitress, the wife, so it can be a bit slow.
S-Again, nothing like it that I have ever heard of! 2nd to none!
F-Only a few snacks, but some great cheeses and sausage!
V-A little high, but mostly comparable to European prices!

Ive been here a few times and you have to get there when it opens if you want a table, it fills up fast!

02-17-2012 22:25:49 | More by mtbdonn

4thelvofbeer

Virginia

4.78/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

Been to the Kulminator five or six times, most recently right before Christmas. A beer lovers hidden gem that has beers you will not be able to find anywhere else. The aged/vintage Belgian beer collection that is available for sale here is truly one of a kind. Many beers on the 25+ page beer list are up to 20 years old and many popular brands (Chimay, LaTrappe, etc.) have numerous years available. If you every find yourself in Antwerp, this place is an absolute must. It is a bit disorganized inside, and you usually have to get there right when it opens to get a nice seat, but you will be rewarded with the visit and effort to get there. It is small and fills up quick. It is easy for drinkers to sit down in this place and not move until the place closes down!!

01-11-2012 10:14:26 | More by 4thelvofbeer

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$$

My visit was pretty remarkable so it's hard to be subjective here.

I had been in Antwerp for a couple days and done everything I could think of besides the KULMINATOR! Of course they weren't opening until 8 that night so I hung outside for a while and was the only one there for a good 15 minutes just reading the menu and drinking a Rochefort 10. A big group of Americans rolls in and it takes me a while to realize it is the BA Bros and their crew! I tried to leave them alone for the most part but chatted with a friendly dude that was with them for most of their stay. I tried most of their beers which were just ridiculous. It was my intro to sours that night and after the BA guys left I met a really cute girl and her friends. So yeah...I had a good time.
Beer rundown:
Rochefort 10
Pannepot
Achel Blond
'07 Oude Gueze Boon
Nothing super exciting but I can't get them in Texas and that menu is ridiculous.
Sips from the BA's included: Black Damnation 2, some sort of 1986 Brunehaut, a 99 de Troch Gueze, and Rodenbach Grand Cru on tap.
The wife was really friendly and the only one I ordered from as the guy was off dealing with papers and hanging with the cat in a booth. I love that they have a cat walking about!
I ordered some cheese and bread off the menu. That and some meats which I don't eat are about all there is.
The place is somewhat small and they can run out of beer menus! I had to ask a couple dudes playing chess if I could look at theirs towards the end of the night as the place filled up a tad.
A must go to bar if anywhere near Antwerp or Belgium/The Netherlands in general. Just hop on a train for an hour.
There is also a hostel not even 5 minutes away on foot from the bar if you aren't looking for world class accommodation which I stayed at.

12-15-2011 04:15:57 | More by MattSweatshirt