de Biertempel
Next stop in my quest to visit all the independent craft beer shops in Brussels and put them in the spotlight: de Biertempel in Brussels 1000.
About de Biertempel
De Biertempel is a stone throw away from the Grand Place of Brussels and has been there for decades. In November 2024 the shop got a new owner: Axel. Axel worked in beer most of his life, he was brought up by his godparents who were in the beer trade business and he started young, doing the same. After a break of several years due to personal circumstances, he wanted to get back in the beer business and when he heard about the possibility to take over this shop, he did not hesitate. Hoppiness spoke with Axel in his beautiful shop in the heart of Brussels.
What is your specialisation?
Our specialisation is that we have everything that has anything to do with Belgian beer. Sadly that is not possible, we don’t work with all beer suppliers, but we are quite close. We have a huge amount of different beers, but also beer signs, t-shirts, beer gadgets and a huge wall of beer glasses. I really want to have everything and when clients are looking for something specific I will try to get it. For instance, Kwak has stopped producing their iconic wooden glass, but many of my customers come here for that, so I have bought up the remainder of their stock, to ensure I will have it in the coming years.
How do you choose the beers and other products that you stock?
I have a lot of contacts and experience in the beer business thanks to my previous work in the beer trade and I know what my customers like. I stock only Belgian products and really want to have everything in stock. Most breweries deliver their beers to the shop themselves. We also have a large selection of local beers, especially gueze and lambic, and when possible I go there myself to collect them.
What else can be expected at de Biertempel?
We don’t have events or tastings here and are not planning to do that. We do have special deals with certain breweries for gift packs and other nice beer gadgets, especially at this time of the year, so you can find many unique beer gifts in our shop. Our customers love the gift packs with beers and a beer glass, but we also have many beer gadgets. Our best selling items are anything with the pink elephant from Delirium, it’s incredible how many people love that. But there are also more special items, like the boxes with old and new metal beer signs.
And now a personal question: what is your favourite beer?
I’ll be honest, my best beer is a simple pleasure: a freshly tapped boerke* Stella. As for special ales I prefer Belgian blonde beers, so a Cornet or Gouden Carolus Tripel will definitely make me happy.
* 25cl glass
De Biertempel
Rue du Marché aux Herbes 56
1000 Bruxelles