This White Beer Travels "Pub of the Month" was selected by John White of "White Beer Travels". Most who have visited Kroegske immediately put it in their top three of Specialty Beer bars. It is certainly right up there with: 't Brugs Beertje (www.brugsbeertje.be, White Beer Travels Web page), in Bruges; De Heeren van Liedekercke (www.come.to/heerenvanliedekercke, White Beer Travels Web page), in Denderleeuw; De Bierkamer, in Kluizen (www.debierkamer.be, White Beer Travels Web page); 't Arendsnest (www.arendsnest.nl, White Beer Travels Web page) and In de Wildeman (www.indewildeman.nl), in Amsterdam, in The Netherlands; and the Wynkoop (www.wynkoop.com, White Beer Travels Web page), in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Descriptions of places such as this are usually taken from Beer Guides that have been prepared for White Beer Travels Beer Hunts, all participants getting copies: they typically get well over 100 A4 pages of information per trip. This particular write-up is based on a handout for a White Beer Travels Beer Hunt based in Ostend, further details of which can be obtained on the Past [Beer Hunts], in this sentence, or at the top or bottom of this page. The write-ups on other Pubs of the Month can be accessed by clicking on Archives, or by using the "Previous Month" and "Next Month" links at the top and bottom of this page.

This West Flanders bar, which in English is the "Little Pub", is thirty-six kilometres (22½ miles) from Bruges and about the same distance from Ghent. It is off the N36, six kilometres (four miles) from Roeselare, home to Rodenbach Brewery (www.rodenbach.be, White Beer Travels Web page). It is also close to Ingelmunster, see below, home to the Van Honsebrouck Brewery and the Alvinne Picobrouwerij (www.alvinne.be). Ingelmunster is only five kilometres (three miles) from Kroegske and very easily reached from it, see below. Note that Emelgem does not officially exist anymore; Kroegske is officially in Izegem.

The photo to the left, which was taken by John White, in July, 2003, shows Stephen D'Arcy, who formerly ran Brussels CAMRA, holding the beer menu for Kroegske. Click here for details of Stephen's invaluable Guide to the Speciality Beer scene in Brussels and beyond. In the photo, Stephen has, like John above, a Contreras Mars Especial. The beers actually available are listed in a superbly informative, marvellously laid out, 120-page beer menu book, which truly is second-to-none. It is hand-made and patterned to reflect the superb Celtic piped music played. According to the place's publicity leaflet, the music is "from the middle-ages, from the time of the renaissance, Celtic, Breton and Folk Rock".

Prior to my first visit in July, 2003, with a group of White Beer Travels Beer Hunters, reports from reliable sources suggested that the Kroegske was world-class. This really did prove to be the case on the visit; it is right up there with the very best. Attesting to this, in this incredibly civilised place, are: the rustic décor (incorporating a magnificent collection of breweriana); and the way they are presented in the menu just mentioned and the way they are served.

If this were not enough, one could not meet a nicer couple running a bar than Danny Verbeke and his wife Nadine Demeestere, the latter providing excellent food, including Biergerechten (Beer Cuisine), see below. It is just staggering what perfection has been reached here, since the place first opened in July, 1996.

When arranging the group visit, Danny informed me of some of the house rules: over-loud conversation is not encouraged; and dogs, babies, very young children, and cigar and pipe smoking are not allowed. However, the place is anything but oppressive; these "rules" and the special nature of Danny and Nadine really do create an atmosphere that is second to none. The "conversation rule is actually inscribed above the bar in a number of languages; the English version ("It is not allowed to make a lot of noise.") can be seen in the photo to the left, which was taken by John White, in July, 2003. Danny is behind the bar on the left, with two others who were drafted in to ensure that the White Beer Travels group got good service, which indeed it did, well it was, in fact, excellent.

On its letterhead/publicity leaflets, it is described as a Streekbierencafe, which means a Regional Beers Bar. There are over 450 beers; virtually none are thankfully from Interbrew (now that load of Bankers, InBev) or from "Scottish Courage Alken-Maes" (SCAM) and no Pils, Palm or Wheat Beer; there are no draught beers as the place is only open from Thursday to Sunday. The beer policy means that local do not tend to frequent the place; it really is a Mecca for the most discerning Specialty Beer fan.

Example beers, the prices being from the July, 2003 visit, as per the others quoted include: Westvleteren Blond/8^o/12^o at €2.80/3.30/3.80; Abbaye Des Rocs at €7.50 (75cl); De Ranke's Guldenberg at €8.60 (75cl); 't Gaverhopke Kriek, a very rare sighting of one of this Brew Pub's beers, at €3.30; Troubadour at €2.80; Troubadour Dubbel, an 8% Bruin; Piro Bruin/Blond at €2.30; Oerbier at €2.80; Hellekapelle at €2.50; Nostradamus at €9 (75cl); La Vieille Salme (commissioned by Detrembleur, in Grand-Halleux (Vielsalm), from Achouffe) at €3.50; Boon Oude Geuze at €4.50 (37.5cl); Rosé de Gambrinus at €5.50 (37.5cl); Iris at €9 (75cl); Fou' Foune at €11 (75cl); 3 Fonteinen Oude Gueuze at €5/9.20 (37.5/75cl; and Hanssens Oude Gueuze at €3.90/7.60 (37.5/75cl).

Note, however, that it does not restrict itself to just Belgian Beers, for example the Unibroue Brewery (www.unibroue.com), which is in Chambly , near Montreal , in Canada , is well represented (for example, Don de Dieu at  €3.90, and 1837 at  €3.50) , as are some of the very best French breweries, for example, 3 Monts at  €6.70 (75cl).

There is a good selection of old beers in excellent condition, including: Westvleteren 8^o (1995) at €8; Hanssens Gueuze (1993 ) at €20 (75cl); 3 Fonteinen Gueuze (1993) at €8 (37.5cl); Corsendonk Agnus and Tripel (1989), both at €25 (3 litres); Stille Nacht (1999) at €5; and 't Smijsje Honingbier Bruin 6^o  (1995) at €12.

Snacks includes: Spaghetti and Vegetarische Spaghetti, both at  €5.50; Lasagne at  €7; Macaroni with a Cheese and Ham Sauce at €7; Gemarineerde Varkensribbetjes (Marinates Spare Ribs) at €7; Boterham (Open Sandwiches) of Kaas (Cheese) and Ham for respectively €4.50 and €5; Croque Monsieurs for €2; and Omelet Natuur Garni at €4.

There are eight beer cuisine dishes, these all being accompanied by a glass of the beer in which they are cooked. They are all €12, apart from the last one, the fish dish, which is €14. These are: Edelgebraad (Noble Roast, i.e. the Best, Lean Pork), with Broccoli and kroketjes (Potato Croquettes) in a Westmalle Dubbel Sauce; Kipfilet (Chicken Fillet), Vegetables, kroketjes, in an Oerbier Sauce (alternative beer accompaniment is Arabier); Chicken Fillet, with Witloof (Endive, Chicory), Potatoes Gratin in a Geuze De Troch Sauce; Varkenhaasje (Fillet of Pork) with Seasonal Vegetables and Duchesse Potatoes in a Rodenbach Sauce; Gevulde Kalkoenrolletjes (Stuffed Turkey Roll) with Paprikas (Peppers) and Rijst (Rice) in a Chimay Red Sauce; Bedriegersbiefstuk (Sirloin Steak) with Vegetables and Mushrooms in an Urthel Tonicum Finiboldhus Sauce; Stoofvlees (Carbonade of Beef) with frieten (Chips) and Vegetables in a Piro Bruin Sauce (alternative beer accompaniment is Piro Blond); and Kabeljauwfilet (Cod Fillet) with Apples, knolselder (Celeriac) and kroketjes in a Witkap Pater Stimulo Sauce. There are also Zomerse en Winterse Suggesties (Summer and Winter Dishes of the Day).

For the group visit, Danny specially opened at lunchtime on a Sunday. I had pre-ordered food for everyone to ensure that we kept to the overall schedule for the three places to be visited on the day in question. Most in the twenty-three strong group had ordered one of the menus. I was somewhat concerned that the logistics of serving the food would detract from drinking beers, but the place was mega efficient, such that in no time at all after entering the place everyone was served. To a man/woman all were well pleased with the food and then the beers both during and after the meal. As in a number of places in Belgium there is a notice stating "1 Tafel = 1 Rekening", i.e. one bill per table.

The photo above left, which was taken by John White, shows Nadine and Danny bidding us farewell at the end of the visit, in July, 2003. We had to get on for our next scheduled venue, but I will certainly be back again and again and for a longer stay. I may even stay overnight, in the Hotel Century, which is close to Izegem railway station, at Nederweg 24 (tel 051 30 18 44). The photo of John was taken outside the Kroegske, in February, 2003, by his son-in-law, Paul Skinner. This was a recce trip for the July, 2003 White Beer Travels group visit. Note that this photo was taken just after Noon on a Sunday, when it used to be open, but it now opens later on this day, see the next paragraph.

After attending a brewing course, run by Alvinne brewer, Glenn Castelein, for the 10th anniversary of Kroegske, in 2006, under the supervision of glenn, and Alvinne's other brewer, Davy Spiessens using Alvinne's brewery, Nadine and Danny produced a bottled House Beer called Kroegbier "Goud" (6.6%). This is a lovely Golden Blond Beer (Goudblond Bier), hopped to 40 EBU with Kent Goldings and Saaz Hops. In April, 2006 it was €3. A higher strength dark beer and a Tripel are to follow, from "bierfirma Verbeke-Demeestere" (bVD).

Kroegske is not open from Monday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, it is open from 7pm until 1am. On Sundays it is open from 5pm until 10pm. It is open on Thursday to Sunday, at these times, when they are National Holidays, but it is not open on the 24th, the 25th and the 31st of December, and the 1st of January.

How to get to Kroegske

By Train

Trains from Bruges to Kortrijk generally stop at Izegem, the journey typically taking thirty-five minutes. From Ghent they take forty to fifty minutes, a change of train being required in Kortrijk or Lichtervelde, see www.b-rail.be for times and fares. On foot, Kroegske is close to Izegem railway station. Head North over the nearby canal bridge and one is then on the required street (Vijfwegenstraat). Kroegske is on the left, at Vijfwegenstraat 35, however, it is beyond the roundabout that is soon reached after the bridge.

By Road

This route assumes that one is going SE on the E40 (A10) motorway, from, say Calais and Ostend. At junction 8 of the E40 (A10), join the A17 (E403) motorway in the direction of Kortrijk. This means taking a very quickly reached right after leaving the E40 (A10) on the right. Junction 11 is the first one reached on the A17.

Soon after Junction 7 of the A17, leave it at its junction 6, the N36, which is signed to Harelbeke and Izegem and, in the opposite direction on the N36, to Roeselare.

At the T-junction reached on leaving the A17, turn right, to cross the motorway, in the signed direction of Izegem, onto the N36, which is dual-carriageway at this point.

After the end of the dual-carriageway, turn second main left (at lights), in the signed direction of Izegem Centrum, this putting one on Burgmeestervandenbogaerdelaan. The right is signed to St-Eloois-Winkel. Note that the first main left off the dual-carriageway is also signed to Izegem, at lights, but the left turn required comes after the football stadium on the left.

After a street name changes to Baron de Pelichy Straat, one is confronted with a "No-Entry" sign at the start of Nieuwstraat. At this point, turn right onto Roeselaarsestraat and then quick left onto Marktstraat. Turning left around the square reached, one can see a bridge that goes over a canal. Turn right to join the approach road to the road going over the canal.

When the canal is crossed, one is in Emelgem-Izegem, the street then being called the required Vijfwegenstraat. This continues beyond a soon reached roundabout, the required pub/restaurant, Kroegske, being on the left, at Vijfwegenstraat 35. Click here for a map of Kroegske's location, from its website.

Beer Warehouse near Kroegske & Route to Ingelmunster

Close to Kroegske, is the beer warehouse, Brouwerij Rosseel, at Baronstraat 101, tel 051 30 11 31, GPS: 50.925438^o N, 3.224240^o E. As one comes over the canal from Izegem, to enter Emelgem, Baronstraat is off to the right at the point beyond Kroegske, where five streets meet, c.f. the Vijfwegenstraat (Five Ways Street) of Kroegske's street name. Note that the on-line Belgian Yellow Pages, www.goldenpages.be, gives a map locating such places, the map showing Brouwerij Rosseel to be on the right after taking the right turn onto Baronstraat beyond Kroegske on the left. Being number 101 it is some way down Baronstraat, on the right, after the junction with Kapelstraat, as can be seen by using the East and West and North and South arrows on the maps as appropriate. This has a few beers of interest, but you will need to go further afield for a bigger selection, example places that Kroegkse uses (in addition to dealing direct with breweries) include: the Brasserie Vanuxeem, in Ploegsteert, Hainaut (150, rue d'Armentières); Streekbieren Yves, in Roeselare, West Flanders (White Beer Travels Web page); Rotsaert, in Zedelgem, West Flanders (Remi Claeysstraat 28) (~250 beers, but very good for rare beers); Bierhandel Willems en zoon, Leopoldstraat 26, Grobbendonk, Antwerp Province (www.bierhandelwillems.be) (this gets rave reviews from discerning visitors, who typically remark that it has many beers that they have not seen on sale anywhere else; it is reached from junction 20 of the E313 (A13) motorway); and Bevernagie All Drinks (alternative spelling Bevernaegie), in Lichtervelde, West Flanders (Koolskampstraat 22). Bevernagie commission two original beers that are available in Kroegske: Lichtervelds Blond from De Dolle Brouwers; and Piro Bruin from Verhaeghe (www.brouwerijverhaeghe.be). Piro Blond, which is also available, is brewed by Van Eecke.

Interestingly, if one continues down Baronstraat beyond Brouwerij Rosseel, the street name changes to Ingelmunstersestraat, then Weststraat before the main square, the Markt, in Ingelmunster is reached. If one turns right in the Markt onto Stationsstraat, and go about 100 yards/metres, the entrance to Ingelmunster Castle (www.kasteelingelmunster.be), which is owned by the Van Honsebrouck brewery, can be seen on the opposite side of the road, at Stationsstraat 3 . This has a bar, De Kelder ("The Cellar" or De Kasteelkelder, The Castle Cellar), within, or rather below the castle grounds, i.e. in its cellars, which is covered in the castle's website. De Kelder has, of course Kasteelbieren (Castle Beers). Further details are given in the White Beer Travels downloadable guide to Van Honsebrouck, which can be found on the Downloads page. If one continues straight on reaching the Markt, in Ingelmunster, one joins Oostrozebekestraat, the Van Honsebrouck brewery (www.vanhonsebrouck.be) being on the left, at number 43, and the Alvinne Picobrewery being on the right, at number 114. The Alvinne Brewery hasa a most pleaant bar on the premises. Further details on Van Honsebrouck are provided in the White Beer Travels guide. Further down the Stationsstraat mentioned, after going over the Roeselare-Leie Canal, the Ingelmunster Railway Station of its street name is on the right. However, the Belgian Belgian telephone directories (www.infobel.be) (plug in Rosseel and Izegem), give an additional location for Brouwerij Rosseel, in Izegem, on the other side of the canal, i.e. at Sint-Jorisstraat 38. It has the same telephone number as the Baronstraat one, but an e-mail address is additionally given. This second place is very easily found en route to Kroegske, i.e. when going down the N36 in the direction of Kortrijk, after the football ground on the left one turns left at lights to head for Kroegske. If one takes the first, very quickly reached left, off the road entered on taking the left turn (Burgemeestervandenbogaerdelaan), this soon becomes the required Sint-Jorisstraat.

John White (1945-), , August, 2003, updated in June, 2007.

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