TOP BEER BARS • De Dulle Griet (Vrijdagmarkt). Legendary brown café with one of Ghent’s biggest selections and the infamous “shoe deposit” for the 1.2L Max boot glass. Great for deep lists and classic Belgian styles. • Waterhuis aan de Bierkant (Groentenmarkt, canalside). “Brown pub” loved by locals and visitors; ~165 beers and three house brews (Gandavum, Klokke Roeland, Mammelokker). Prime terrace on the water. Waterhuis aan de Bierkant” literally means “Waterhouse at the Beerside.” It’s a playful twist on “waterside” (waterkant), hinting at the canalside location and the beer focus. • Trappistenhuis (Brabantdam). Cosy specialist for Trappist and abbey beers—proper glassware, knowledgeable pours, and old-school atmosphere. • De Trollekelder (Bij Sint-Jacobs). Classic Ghent beer den with a big list under the church square—great for sampling across Belgian styles. • ’t Galgenhuisje (Groentenmarkt). Tiny, historic bar (the smallest in Ghent) with a compact but well-curated selection; ideal for a quick specialty pour. • Kaffee De Planck (Ter Platen, on a moored barge). Characterful boat-bar with 200+ beers and its own house beer “Planckske” (by Van Steenberge). Relaxed vibe, big menu. • Café Gitane (Meerseniersstraat, near Patershol). Local favorite for artisanal Belgian beers, including sours and geuze, in a snug vintage interior. • Aba-Jour (Oudburg). Long-standing spot with a serious list; often a good place to find well-kept classics and occasional aged Orval. LOCAL BREWERIES (GHENT & NEARBY) • Dok Brewing Company (Hal 16, Dok-Noord). Ghent’s modern brewpub—30 taps, innovative one-offs and a small core range like “Waar is Loca?” pale ale, “Pils 13,” and “Dokkie” (NA IPA). • Gruut City Brewery (Baudelopark). Ghent’s city brewery reviving medieval “gruit/gruut” herb blends instead of hops; look for Gruut White/Blond/Amber/Brown and Inferno. • Stroom Brouwers (Forelstraat). Independent Ghent brewery with a tasting room; recent releases include Yak, House, Supreme, Bang! (BA imperial stout) and more. • Brouwerij Van Steenberge (Ertvelde, short trip from Ghent). Makers of Gulden Draak and Augustijn—iconic East-Flanders beers you’ll see everywhere in town. • Brouwerij Huyghe (Melle, near Ghent). Home of Delirium Tremens; tours/tastings available—many Ghent bars pour their beers. GHENT/LOCAL BEERS TO SEEK OUT • Waterhuis House Beers: – Gandavum (dry-hopped blond; “Gandavum” is the Latin name for Ghent) – Klokke Roeland (Quadrupel) – The menu literally says 3 per person which is pretty funny and pretty accurate as I had many friends fall down the stairs after drinking the 4th. It's pretty fruity and deceptive as it doesn't taste ‘’strong’’ – Mammelokker (Brown ale) You’ll find them on tap at Waterhuis. • Gruut (Ghent’s herb-beer line): White, Blond, Amber, Brown, Inferno (tripel-strength)—distinctive “gruit/gruut” spice profile instead of hops. • Dok Brewing Co . core picks: “Waar is Loca?” (6.5% pale ale), “Pils 13” (Ghent lager line), “Dokkie” (0.0x% NA IPA); seasonal one-offs often excellent. More new style of beers, less old school, less authentic • Gulden Draak (Van Steenberge). A Ghent icon by association—the name references the golden dragon on Ghent’s Belfry; rich dark strong ale that many bars feature. • Gentse Strop (Roman Brewery). A blond tied to Ghent’s “noose-bearer” nickname—widely available around town.