Kulminator

TheLongBeachBum

California

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

Kulminator, even the name of the bar is named after a beer, albeit German. I have been to Belgium every Easter since 1994, in 1996 & 2001 base camp was Antwerp. This bar was always the first port of call, and often revisited many, many times during my stays.

A pleasurable, but not short, walk from the centrum, well worth the shoe leather if you want to stretch your legs. If memory serves me right, a Tram does go nearby. I think the beer range is in excess of 550, its hard to say or confirm or deny, but its bloody huge anyways. Aged beers and some unadvertised specials are always available, at least if you demonstrate sufficient interest and knowledge, and the owners think you deserve them. Quiet during the days, which is the best time to visit for a serious session and the only time I have ever got chance to talk to the two owners Dirk van Dijk and his wife. Often packed at night when it can be hard to get served, or even prize one of the Goliath menus from the hands of other drinkers. For me - it has got a little expensive I think over the years, but what teh hell, you do have a choice of price ranges here, as well as beers, so drink to your Budget. Again - No Food, after all this is one of the Worlds Best Beer Cafes, and you don't want "foodies" taking up good beer drinking space and permeating the atmosphere with smells do you?. Fill out the slips on the tables while here, drop them in the box near the door on the way out - and you will get a Birthday Card from the Kulminator.

Without equal, this is Probably the Best Beer Bar in the World.

08-17-2002 01:25:49 | More by TheLongBeachBum

francisweizen

Australia

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

First off, let me say that half the fun of the Kulminator is finding the damn place, and going there when they are open!

Hidden on a small street called Vleminckveld, which is about 10-15 blocks off of the main Ruebens square, and down the royal streets a bit. When we first visited here we found out that it opened on 8pm on Mondays, so we waited, and than we were let in by the nice old Dutch lady who works here with her husband. We were greeted, sat down, and the "tomes" were placed in front of us. This place had so many beers, it was not even funny. You want it, they got it. Vintages going back to the 70's and prior, stuff from dead breweries, dead beers, imports, even some aged Unibroue from Quebec! The prices were right, and the service was always fast and friendly. The worst thing about coming to the Kulminator, is when you have to leave! Oh, and come with deep pockets, as it is impossible to have "a beer or two" at the Kulminator!

11-06-2003 18:34:22 | More by francisweizen

erica

California

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5

GO HERE! And bring lots of cash with you, for you will want to try many things....

Well, I told the man that this is my favourite place in the universe. It might just be true, actually, because I just felt so happy there. I went here twice during my Belgium trip with my boyfriend.

The atmosphere is beautiful, dark with lots of old woodwork, some hops hanging from the ceiling like garland, a few stools at the bar and more tables. There seems to be a glass for every beer, or at least every brewery, and tons of coasters and signs on the walls (I like the lit-up Oerbier man). There's lots of clutter behind the bar, a dog and an orange kitty, and classical music (well Irish music on St. Patty's day), making the place feel very homey.

The husband and wife owners were so nice and really knew their stuff. Great beer list, pretty much whatever you wanted, they had, and at good prices. We ordered between the 2 nites 1980 Oerbier, 1982 and 1996 Stille Nacht, Boone Kriek Mariage Parfait, 1983? Thomas Hardy's, Westy 6, 1986? Chimay blue, I forget if there was anything else. We had some good conversations with the owners and some regulars about De Dolle, how we went to Essen instead of Esen to try to find and visit the brewery, they had a good laugh at that. Very kind, these people. We ordered a cheese plate- Gouda, there was sooo much! and it came with some great bread and great spicy mustard. I felt so relaxed in this place and I didn't want to leave. I highly recommend this bar to anyone going anywhere near Antwerp.

03-25-2004 17:29:50 | More by erica

cro250klr

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

Went to Europe for the first time. We were based in Brussels and tried to conquer the country of Belgium in the short eight days of our stay. That was our first mistake. On day six it was raining a bit so we took a train to Antwerp. If we didn't make a habit of walking 10 miles a day we would have never found the Kulminator. We saw the yellow sign on the building so we checked it out. The place had another 15 minutes til it opened and the only reason we waited was that it had a nice old bar look to it and we saw a lot of beer inside. Poor planning. That was our second and biggest mistake. We had no clue what we were in for.
My freinds and I had spent the last five days running around looking for St. Sixtus. 6,8 or 12, it didn't matter. We had only read about this beer and everywhere else we stopped had none. Not only did the Kulminator have St. Sixtus, it was available from 10 different years! The five of us each ordered a different beer each time and after four rounds we were able to sample nearly 20 of the most incredible grogs on the planet. The atmosphere ( ancient and cluttered), the dog and cat (on the bar, on your table), the beer list ( as big as a phone book) and the owners, Dirk and Leen make this the best bar that I have ever visited.
If you are anywhere in Europe that has a train going to Antwerp, get on it and look this place up. If you're making a first appearance in Europe, learn from our mistakes and put this in your 'must see' planner. WOW! WOW! WOW!
If things work out, next year we'll be in Paris. Yea, I know, the Eifel Tower, the Louve, Notre Dame. Big deal. All I know is that 3 hours away on the bullet train is the most talked about beer establishment in all the world. Guess what's gonna be on page 1 of my ' things to do' list.

06-18-2004 19:05:49 | More by cro250klr

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

This is the place to go in Europe if you’re looking for fine beer. The place is located not too far from the train station and just behind the alley with all the stores. This is quite a small café with a nice terrace behind. The bar is full of beer as well as the chamber behind. The menu is the size of a phone book and products are listed by year. I saw some Chimay from 1981, Liefman Kriek from 1974, Rodenbach Alexander… They pretty much have everything that you would like to try. The prices are usually reasonable (Rodenbach Alexander for 4 euros, De Dolle still natch 1999 for 3.50 euros…) and the service is great. This is a must if you go to Belgium.

06-29-2004 20:13:19 | More by Phyl21ca

ithacabaron

California

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $

Wow -- I never thought I'd give all 5s to anything, but I just have to for Kulminator.

A true beer mecca, and the only reason I wanted to go to Antwerpen when I was planning my trip. I found many other interesting things here when I arrived, and it is indeed a fair city, but Kulminator was still the highlight of the city -- and I'd go back to Antwerp again, just for this bar.

The atmosphere is untouchable, with high, dark ceilings, incredibly comfortable chairs, and classical music over the stereo. There is also a cozy and peaceful garden area, with ivy cimbing the walls, that we moved out to later in the evening. We opened the place, and closed it, and found that in addition to being such a mecca, it is also the neighborhood bar for lots of local folks. We had a chance to chat them up, and they were very friendly.

Quality was again, untouchable, for all the other reasons in this review.

Service was efficient, polite, and incredibly knowledgeable about the beer. Ask as many questions as you'd like...the husband and wife who own this place, Dirk and Leen, know everything there is to know about good brew.

The selection is the best in the world. Every and any Belgian and European beer you could want, with almost all in vintages going back 20 or more years. There was a bottle of Cantillon Raisin lambic from 1973 calling my name, but at 28 Euro, it was just a little out of my range. Speaking of price range, although we were broke backpackers, we were able to drink and eat to our heart's content for very very little. Perhaps the most affordable good beer bar I've ever been to, and for the bottles that we did put out higher amounts of money for, the vintages were worth it.

Food is simple and delicious. Cured meats (the french sausage was delicious) and towering mounds of gouda cheese and hot mustard are to be had for very cheap.

All in all, it was the finest drinking evening of my life. Make a trip to Belgium just to go here. Incredible.

08-18-2004 19:59:27 | More by ithacabaron

MrNuggets

Oregon

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $

After one month on the road I finally made it into Belgium. The Zythos Bier Festival would be the highlight of my adventure. Fifty different brewers pouring almost two-hundred different beers. Careful preparation is needed in going into an event of this magnitude. Come weekend I was going to spend two twelve hour days drinking beer. A cozy little café called the Kulminator would help me to get ready.

An easy walk from the one room apartment I had rented for my five days in Antwerpen. No trouble finding my way; a large yellow sign shouting “KULMINATOR” draws you in. It was early, and the bar had not yet begun to fill. This was the night before the fest’, a crowd was expected.

I was greeted by the friendly faces of Dirk and Leen Van Dyck. They don’t see many young Alaskans, which made them happy to have me. I initially took the interior as cramped. It was not until staying a while and experiencing a packed house that I realized that the Kulminator is nothing but comfortable. A tight wooden bar separated me from a wall of amazing beers. A bottle of Hop Wallop; how did that get there? Taps to make a young boy weep. La, Mc and N’ice Chouffe; Bush Noel? Not if I wanted to walk home that night! Tables and chairs full of large bottles of aged beer and jolly beer tourists. A trip to the W.C. will take you longer then expected. Forced to pass a room stacked floor to ceiling with beer. You stop, stair, dream, hope; then realize it can all be yours. As long as you are able to pronounce the names. A large menu being your ticket into this beer paradise.

Before long the Kulminator was full to capacity. Some complained of slow service. Nonsense, the café was completely filled. Patrons were spilling out onto the street; standing room only. Dirk and Leen could not have done a better job at handling the hoard. The British beer tourist can be a tough beast to quell. With thirst more savage then one-hundred of the vilest sailors. I commend their bravery. Everyone of these people were in town for the weekends festivities going on in Sint Nikklas. Starting that night and lasting the next two days, I would encounter an unheard of enthusiasm for beer. Fervor, bordering on lust. I played my part with glee, but would not let it drown other joys Belgium has to give.

Corks popped, taps drew; I told the story of how I exactly came to sit on that bar stool. I am no beer tourist, just a boy with a thirst for fine ale and a hunger for the unknown. I assume any wayfarer with similar tastes as mine would also end up in such a position. My existence struck a cord with one of the beer tourists. A generous offering to aid me in my adventure. In return he asked for an update, a story. I was apparently living his dream.

I returned to the Kulminator a few days later. The festival was over and the beer tourists home fighting their hangovers. The atmosphere of the café was changed from the fervidness of the previous weekend. Now peaceful, I was able to relax and more enjoy the beer in my glass. Idle chatter, the soft classical music and a chalice of Westvleteren Twelve made for the perfect evening.

07-09-2005 23:32:30 | More by MrNuggets

roblowther

Texas

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

I came to Belgium to visit Trappist monasteries and I came to Antwerp to visit the Kulminator. Sent my wife to the diamond district (dubious logic) and set off with directions to the nirvana of Belgian beer. A very odd place, the bar probably holds 10, three or four tables inside and three outside on the narrowest patio I've ever been on. The service is friendly but reserved, offered up by the husband-wife owner team. Feels very home-y. Oh but the menu. It literally is like a small phone book. Every Belgian you can imagine and more years of most of them than you'd believe. I came in search of a 20-year old Chimay Grande Reserve and I didn't even come close to pushing the envelope, they had them going back several years further. The beer was great, although after 20 years the yeast flavor was almost entirely overrun by the malt. Still, an experience to remember. If you EVER travel to Antwerp. Scratch that. If you ever travel to Belgium, and if you have ANY taste for Belgians, you owe it to yourself to visit the Kulminator. So relaxing you could read a book & take a nap and beer offerings so vast you might never leave. Take a run to the gent's (or ladies') & look left for a glimpse of the choices cellared behind the glass. That's just the beginning, I'm sure and it is unlike anything you're likely to see anywhere else. Truly a couple who respects beer.

07-28-2006 02:31:13 | More by roblowther

EPICAC

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Kulminator was definitely my favorite bar that we visited while in Belgium.

A: The brightly lit interior had large plants growing near the front window and dried hop vines on the ceiling towards the back. Classical music played in the background, providing a nice atmosphere. There were several large wooden tables arranged throughout bar that were topped by large beer bottles used to hold candles and variety of press clippings. I counted at least four different cats that lounged around the bar.

Q: All of the beers that we had were top notch and served in proper glassware.

S: The bartender was friendly and helpful when we had questions, though not particularly talkative.

S: There were quite a few beers on tap, all of pretty good quality. There was an extensive beer list with a lot of aged beers. They had Chimay Blue all the way back to 1981.

12-11-2006 05:03:21 | More by EPICAC

JBogan

Nevada

5/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

What else can you say about this place? It's a beer lover's heaven.

After a short walk from the nearby parking garage my friend and I entered the double set of doors and into the tiny establishment. It was about 7 pm on a Wednesday evening and there were only 3 people seated at the bar and 4 or 5 others at the end of the longish table against the wall. We took a seat and I checked out the incredible selection in their menu book. I ordered up a nice Belgian Trappist while the girl I was with decided to just have a hot chocolate. Both came soon after and were very pleasing. I ended up having a couplemore while we checked out the bar cats who freely roamed around the place.

Eventually a nice young local couple came in and we had a nice conversation with them before finishing our drinks and heading out into the night. I did make a stop to go to the bathroom and check out the cellar window on the way. Oh my goodness, what treasure lies within!

As pretty muc anyone who's ever been here will say, you MUST visit the Kulminator at least once in your life. There's no neon flashing lights, no loud music, no girls dancing on the bar. The Kulminator exists for one reason only,to offer up the greatest beer in the world in an environment perfectly suited for it. Go there and enjoy!

01-17-2008 00:34:20 | More by JBogan