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must-visit in MechelenFood & Dining

Brouwerij Het Anker

📍 Guido Gezellestraat 49, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium
Brouwerij Het Anker
1 photos
4.6/ 5.0
★★★★★

Introduction

Brouwerij Het Anker is Mechelen's oldest brewery, founded in 1471 by the Beguinage community and run by the Van Breedam family since 1872 — one of Belgium's oldest family breweries. Its flagship Gouden Carolus range honours Emperor Charles V, who grew up in Mechelen: a rich, malty golden ale with vanilla, Christmas and barrel-aged editions. The brewery also distils a single malt whisky from the same malt on one of Belgium's few whisky stills. Tours end with two glasses of the good stuff, and the on-site Het Anker tavern serves classic Flemish stews and beer-cooked dishes — a double heaven for beer lovers and history buffs.

✨ Highlights

1
Gouden Carolus
The golden ale named for Charles V — a Belgian classic.
2
Since 1471
Five and a half centuries of family brewing, richly displayed on site.
3
Whisky Stills
A single malt distilled from the same malt — a Belgian rarity.
4
The Tavern
Beer stew and Flemish classics beside the brewhouse.

🛈 Practical Info

→Duration：1-2 hours including tour and tasting.
→Booking：Reserve online; weekend slots fill fast.
→Tastings：Two beers included; whisky tasting is an add-on.
→Getting There：15 minutes on foot from Mechelen station.
→Nearby：Combine with St Rumbold's Tower and the town hall.

💡 Tips

• Try Classic and Christmas side by side for contrast.
• The tavern fills on weekends — book a table.
• The tour climbs stairs past hot kit — bring water in summer.
• The whisky is limited; grab a bottle if you like it.
• Quiet Mechelen suits a relaxed half-day.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Brouwerij Het Anker?

Try Classic and Christmas side by side for contrast. The tavern fills on weekends — book a table.

Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.