REVIEW · ANTWERP
BeerWalk Antwerp (Dutch guide)
Book on Viator →Operated by BeerWalk · Bookable on Viator
Five Antwerp pubs, one easy route. This BeerWalk is a smart way to meet the city through beer, guided by Dutch pros like Jo Abbeloos and Ariel Meeusen, who tie tasting to real local places. Expect a relaxed 3-hour stroll with included stops that make Antwerp feel personal fast, without the hassle of map-work.
I like the fact that beer tastings are included, so you’re not doing cash math every time the waiter shows up. I also love the variety: you’re not stuck in one style of bar, from a moustache-focused stop at The Royal Moustache to a true Scottish pub at Highlander Cafe.
One thing to consider: this is 18+, and the tour is built as short, rotation-style visits. If you want one pub to be your long hangout, you’ll get a taste-and-move rhythm instead.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Why this Antwerp beer walk works for your first day
- Price and value: what $52.04 really buys you
- Where you meet and how the route keeps things easy
- Stop-by-stop: what each pub visit feels like
- Stop 1: The Royal Moustache (Dr. Beer vibes to start)
- Stop 2: Highlander Cafe (a real Scottish pub in Antwerp)
- Stop 3: Refill (a breather near the tourist bustle)
- Stop 4: De Ware Jacob (folk café energy and a cheeky story)
- Stop 5: Grand Café De Rooden Hoed (Antwerp’s oldest pub stop)
- What the guide actually adds (and why people rave about it)
- How to get the most out of a 3-hour walk
- Who should book BeerWalk Antwerp?
- Should you book this BeerWalk Antwerp?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the BeerWalk Antwerp?
- What does BeerWalk Antwerp cost?
- Where does the tour start and where does it end?
- Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?
- What is the minimum drinking age?
- How many people are in a group?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key highlights at a glance

- Included tastings at five pubs so you can focus on beer and conversation
- A guided route that handles navigation for you
- Classic Antwerp variety from a Scottish pub to a folk café
- Small group size with a cap of 20 people
- Ends in the historic center at Grand Café De Rooden Hoed, one of Antwerp’s oldest pubs
Why this Antwerp beer walk works for your first day
Antwerp can feel a bit chaotic when you’re hunting pubs on your own. One street looks promising, then it turns into shops, then suddenly you’re far from the center. BeerWalk Antwerp fixes that with a guided loop where the “why” is part of the fun: each stop connects beer culture to a specific corner of the city.
The best part is that the tour doesn’t just dump you into bars and call it a day. You’re given context as you go, so tasting feels like a story instead of a drinking game. And because the pacing is structured, you get to sample a range of places in about three hours without wasting time deciding where to go next.
I also like the practical angle: this is designed to be simple. Mobile ticket in hand, guide leading the way, and your drinking stops are planned. That matters if you only have one evening in Antwerp or you’d rather spend your energy on beer (and sights) than planning.
You can also read our reviews of more guided tours in Antwerp
Price and value: what $52.04 really buys you

At $52.04 per person for about 3 hours, you’re paying for three things at once: a guide, a route, and included beverages. This isn’t “beer tasting” as a token sip at one place. The stops are spaced out as real pub visits, and the tour lists beverages—including alcoholic beverages—as included.
For value, the key detail is that there’s no need to keep pausing for separate payments during the walk. That can be a big deal in Belgium, where a random pivot to a new bar can turn into a higher bill than you expected. Here, the cost is packaged, so you can plan your budget for the rest of Antwerp afterward.
It’s also worth noting the tour is commonly booked ahead (on average about 36 days in advance). That doesn’t mean you must plan that far out, but if you’re traveling around a busy weekend or you have tight timing, earlier booking helps you lock in a spot.
Where you meet and how the route keeps things easy

You start at Dr. BeerAdriaan Brouwerstraat 31 GLV, 2000 Antwerpen. The walk ends at Grand Café De Rooden Hoed, Oude Koornmarkt 25, 2000 Antwerpen in the city center.
That start-to-finish setup is practical. You’re not stuck doing a long backtrack to your first stop. The tour also notes that it’s possible to go back to the starting point after the walk if you ask the guide, which is handy if you planned your evening transit one way and want flexibility.
Because it’s near public transportation, you can usually join without turning your day into a bus-and-tram puzzle. And the guide handles navigation, which means you spend less time checking your phone and more time noticing street-level details: architecture, square layouts, and the way Belgian pubs sit right in the life of the neighborhood.
Stop-by-stop: what each pub visit feels like
This BeerWalk runs as five planned stops, each around 25 minutes. That structure makes the tour feel like a chain of “mini experiences.” You get enough time to settle in, taste what’s poured, and hear the beer-and-place story—without spending the whole evening in one room.
Stop 1: The Royal Moustache (Dr. Beer vibes to start)
Your first beer stop is The Royal Moustache, a pub tied to the moustache club and known for an excellent beer selection. Starting here is smart because it sets the tone. You ease in at the beginning rather than trying to “get into it” after you’re already walking and hungry.
What to expect: a good selection right away, plus a lively welcome atmosphere. The stop timing is short enough that you can try something new without agonizing over a huge menu, but long enough for the guide to give you the story behind the beer culture you’re seeing.
Possible drawback: if you’re someone who likes to take your time ordering (slow sipping, long chat, multiple rounds), the early momentum may feel a bit fast. You’ll have other chances later, though.
Stop 2: Highlander Cafe (a real Scottish pub in Antwerp)
Next is Highlander Cafe, a real Scottish pub on one of Antwerp’s beautiful squares. The tour description flags both a rich background and a very full beer menu, which is exactly what you want in the middle of the walk: a place where the setting is a little different and the beer options feel like a proper menu, not a couple of leftovers.
What to expect: more personality than a typical pub. Scottish-themed spots often bring a different vibe—proof that Antwerp beer culture isn’t only local tradition, it also knows how to borrow styles and make them part of city life.
Practical note: squares can be busy areas. The stop still stays around 25 minutes, so you’re tasting and moving, not waiting around.
Stop 3: Refill (a breather near the tourist bustle)
Then you head to Refill, just outside the busiest tourist area. The idea here is simple: take a pause, reset your pace, and keep enjoying without the sensory overload of the busiest center blocks.
What to expect: a calmer moment compared with the most crowded streets. The name fits the tour’s rhythm—refill your energy, and yes, beer is the refill.
This stop is a good one if your legs get heavy. Antwerp has plenty of pretty streets, and even a modest walk can add up. A mid-tour breather helps you stay social and present.
Stop 4: De Ware Jacob (folk café energy and a cheeky story)
Your fourth stop is De Ware Jacob, an authentic folk café in the heart of Antwerp. This is one of the more character-heavy stops. The tour description points to drinking an exclusive beer here and mentions a somewhat naughty history attached to it.
What to expect: an atmosphere that feels more rooted in everyday pub culture rather than a polished tourism stop. Folk cafés like this tend to reward you for showing up curious—listen to what the guide explains, then taste what they’ve picked.
Possible drawback: “naughty history” is vague on purpose. If you prefer detailed facts over teasing hints, you might wish the story went deeper. Still, it’s part of the charm, and you’ll be hearing beer and local flavor in the same breath.
Stop 5: Grand Café De Rooden Hoed (Antwerp’s oldest pub stop)
The walk ends at Grand Café De Rooden Hoed on Oude Koornmarkt 25, described as the oldest pub in Antwerp. It’s also referred to as the majestic café of the Red Hat, and this is where the tasting and storytelling land.
What to expect: a classic finish. Ending at a place with long roots gives the tour a sense of closure, like you’ve seen both the flavor-of-the-day pubs and a landmark with staying power. It also helps you anchor your memory of Antwerp to one iconic stop.
Practical note: because this is in the city center, it’s a convenient place to continue your evening, grab dinner nearby, or jump back onto transit.
What the guide actually adds (and why people rave about it)

The difference between an average tasting and a good beer walk is the guide. This tour lists a Dutch guide, and the strongest praise in the available feedback points to guides who balance three things: beer explanations, city context, and an ability to keep a group engaged.
I love that the guides don’t treat this as only beer trivia. Names that show up in the feedback include Patrick Moens, Ariel Meeusen, Jo Abbeloos, JP, and Frankie. Across those accounts, the consistent theme is that the guide keeps the group part of the experience, even when personalities vary—like a lively group on a bachelor weekend.
So when you book, think of your guide as the translator between “Belgian beer culture” and what you’ll actually notice on the street. You’ll likely pick up small but sticky details: why certain beer styles show up in certain kinds of pubs, how beer links to local life, and how the city’s history connects to what you’re tasting.
One balanced note: there’s at least one comment that the tour could have talked more about the city itself. That’s not about the pubs; it’s about the balance of beer versus sightseeing talk. If you’re chasing maximum city storytelling, ask your guide to point out a few specific landmarks as you go.
How to get the most out of a 3-hour walk
This is a tasting tour, but it’s also a walking tour. The total time is about three hours, with five stop windows that keep you moving. That means you’ll get the best experience if you go into it with a simple mindset: taste a few beers, listen closely when the guide speaks, and don’t over-plan what you’ll order at each stop.
A few practical ideas that fit this format:
- Bring your ID. The minimum drinking age is 18.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’re walking around Antwerp for the full duration.
- Go with curiosity, not a strict beer checklist. This tour is about variety, including a Scottish pub and multiple Antwerp-style cafés.
If your group is big—some bachelor parties or mixed friend groups show up—small-group limits still matter. The tour caps at 20 travelers, which usually keeps the vibe from turning into a herd.
Who should book BeerWalk Antwerp?
This tour is a great match if you:
- want an easy way to see Antwerp’s pub scene without planning a route
- like beer variety more than “staying loyal to one brewery”
- enjoy short stories that connect drinks to places
- travel with friends who want a fun activity that still teaches something
It’s also a strong choice for your first visit, because the stops include both personality pubs and well-known heritage-type locations. If you already know Antwerp well and you want long, deep museum-level context, the three-hour format might feel a bit too short. But if you want a satisfying evening with real local stops, it hits the sweet spot.
Should you book this BeerWalk Antwerp?

I’d book it if you want a straightforward, beer-focused Antwerp experience with structure. At $52.04, you get five planned pub visits and drinks included, plus the guide handles navigation so you’re not spending the night bouncing from bar to bar trying to decide.
If you’re very city-story driven and less beer driven, you may want to choose your expectation level. The tour does include city context, but the core product is beer tastings and pub culture. Either way, ending at Grand Café De Rooden Hoed gives you a memorable finish in the historic center.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the BeerWalk Antwerp?
The tour is about 3 hours.
What does BeerWalk Antwerp cost?
The price is $52.04 per person.
Where does the tour start and where does it end?
It starts at Dr. BeerAdriaan Brouwerstraat 31 GLV, 2000 Antwerpen and ends at Grand Café De Rooden Hoed, Oude Koornmarkt 25, 2000 Antwerpen.
Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?
Yes. Beverages are included, including alcoholic beverages.
What is the minimum drinking age?
The minimum drinking age is 18 years.
How many people are in a group?
The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
























