A university town and the birthpace of Stella Artois, Leuven is a must visit for beer lovers (even if you're violently opposed to everything that AB Inbev brew). There is much to be explored in this wonderful town and it actually makes a pleasant change from Bruges, Ghent and the other usual suspects. Here are 4 bars to get you started...
1. De Blauwe Kater
The heavily music themed "Blue Cats" bar is a great place to visit on a wet afternoon. Listen to the eclectic blues, rock and pop playlist whilst enjoying one or two beers from their more than adequate list.
🍺 Must-order: Paljas Blond — an easy drinking blonde brewered by Brouwerij De Leite
💡 Insider tip: Don't relax and escape the outside world to the point where you nearly leave without paying. I did.
2. De Hoorn
Right in the middle of a regenerated area just on the outskirts of town, De Hoorn is a bar, restaurant, co-working space and more. This is the building where Stella Artois was originally brewed but, although you can still get a glass of Stella here, the place now has a cool, contemporary feel.
🍺 Must-order: Stella Artois — isn't my go to beer but "when in Rome"
💡 Insider tip: It's worth exploring the warren of meeting and function rooms in search of the original brewery tanks
Shop the Stella Artois Vintage glass →
3. Domus
Domus brewery has an almost eastern European feel to it. Beautifully old fashioned, beer brewed on site and a welcoming menu of hearty comfort food. One of the best hangover cures ever!
🍺 Must-order: Domus tasters — 3 x 15cl glasses of the various house beers
💡 Insider tip: Choose a selection of "Bites" to go with the tasting flight of beers and slowly work your way through them.
4. Hops 'N More
A cool bottle shop with a small bar towards the back. A range of international beers on tap, including The Kernel, but what caught my attention was how many local bottled beers they stocked. As is so often the case, the locals at the bar were far more friendly than they looked.
🍺 Must-order: Gueuze Tilquin—a style I'm still battling to appreciate
💡 Insider tip: Don't be overwhelmed by the vast number of unusual bottled beers. Have a look around, take a break for a beer, then continue shopping.
Shop the Tilquin Gueuze 33cl glass →
Plan Your Visit
Best time to go: Any time of year is great but wandering the cobbled streets in the cool early autumn evenings before dropping into a bar or two is difficult to beat.
Top tip: It's possible to reach Leuven from Antwerp in around 40 minutes by train.
Word of caution: In Belgium there is no guarantee that a bar or restaurant will actually be open on any given day.
Can't make it to Leuven?
You can't replicate the atmosphere, but you can drink the right beer in the right glass. Here are the glasses we stock for the beers featured in this guide:
Shop all Belgian beer glasses →
About the Author
Rob has spent years travelling across Belgium and loves nothing more than visiting the weird and breweries and bars that this unique country has to offer. Beer Glass Enthusiast was born from that passion and an obsession with sourcing authentic Belgian brewery glassware to ship direct to your home. Read more guides →