Moeder Lambic
cafe
About this Brewery
Moeder Lambic is one of Brussels’ most influential specialist beer cafés. The original Saint-Gilles establishment was opened by Joël Pêcheur in 1983 and taken over by a new team in 2006. They transformed it into a determined champion of lambic, traditional Belgian beer and smaller independent breweries at a time when the city’s modern beer revival was only beginning.
Its success led to the opening of the larger Moeder Lambic Fontainas in central Brussels in 2009. Both cafés are known for carefully maintained draught beer, knowledgeable service and exceptional selections from lambic producers such as Cantillon and 3 Fonteinen. Moeder Lambic does not operate a brewery, although several independent brewers produce house beers for it. Its branded glassware belongs firmly to Brussels beer culture.
Original: Rue de Savoie 68, 1060 Saint-Gilles Fontainas: Place Fontainas 8, 1000 Brussels
Curator's Note
This is less a brewery and more of a cafe-cum-bar, with impressive brewing vats generating the look and feel of a working brewery. The central Brussels location serves a long list of their lambic offerings. If you can't decide, ask the staff to choose - they were happy to offer advice, to check preferences and then make a recommendation. There is plenty of inside seating, and seating outside overlooking a pleasant green space, tucked just away from the tourist-heavy centre of Brussels.
Dog-friendly
My dog has joined me on a couple of visits and been allowed to sit inside, as well as outside.