Turnhout, Belgium
What it is: The “Mournful Devil” is one of Belgium’s oldest specialty beer cafés, plying its trade in eastern Antwerp province for at least three decades. In fact, there has been a tavern on this spot for much longer, since at least 1740—and it feels like it’s always been there. Layers of beery bric-a-brac adorn old bones of brick, dark wood, and tile floors. It’s a classically formed brown café that happens to have deep interest in beer.
Why it’s great: This is an old-school, small-town, variety-mad beer café, with its thick menu typically boasting more than 300 bottles from across the country, plus four more on draft via devil’s head tap handles. These include all the classics, including Trappists, plus gueuzes and strong Flemish ales from smaller breweries whose bottles rarely make it abroad—local Brouwerij Het Nest features prominently. Simple snacks include gouda cubes, olives, and preskop—a Flemish type of head cheese that goes beautifully with beer.
Details
Hours: 4 p.m.–midnight, Sunday & Tuesday–Thursday; 4 p.m.–2 a.m., Friday–Saturday; closed Monday
Address: Otterstraat 99, Turnhout, Antwerp, Belgium
Web: facebook.com/spytighenduvel/