Sofie Vanrafelghem, a sommelier specialising in beer, released a 400-plus-page book on Tuesday, outlining the best drinking establishments in Brussels and Wallonia.
The Horeca sector having a tough time at the moment, with many closures and difficulties in recruiting new staff, but being included in a list of 200 out of thousands on the scene remains quite an achievement.
The author’s choices were guided by a number of criteria. Vanrafelghem paid particular attention to the way in which the beer was served to customers. More importance was given to the selection of beers, rather than the number of options on the menu.
The setting and atmosphere of the place are also decisive. The profile of the establishments is quite varied, ranging from authentic wood-panelled cafés to microbreweries and ‘tap-rooms’ – a tasting area set up within a beer-producing company.
In the capital, for example, the bars of the Surréaliste, Brussels Beer Project, CoHop, Mazette, de la Senne, L’Ermitage, La Source and La Mule breweries are listed.
In all, some 40 Brussels establishments are featured in Les 200 meilleurs cafés de Wallonie et Bruxelles (Racine), with the remainder in the south of the country.
A few weeks ago, Sofie Vanrafelghem presented the same book in Dutch, Caféboek België (Lannoo), listing 400 of her favourite establishments across Belgium.
The book can be ordered from the the publisher's website for €34.99.
