De Koninck is Antwerp’s own beer, and its city brewery on the Mechelsesteenweg offers a tour that is part museum, part tasting. The visit is audiovisual and interactive, with no guide: you move at your own pace for about an hour, ride through town in a vintage delivery van, hold a Bolleke glass, walk through the brewing hall and try pouring beer. Two tastings are included, one before the tour and one during it, and the bar is free to enter afterwards even if you did not take the tour. It is a good fit for visitors who want a relaxed, modern take on the brewery visit without the fixed schedule of a guided group, and it gives a clear picture of why the Bolleke, a rounded glass, is so tied to local drinking culture.
What it is
A self-guided, audiovisual tour through the brewery buildings, with subtitles in four languages. You follow the route at your own speed and take part in simple activities, including the van ride and pouring your own beer. The tour takes about an hour, and the two tastings frame the experience.
Practical details
The brewery is at Mechelsesteenweg 291 in Antwerp, a little outside the historic centre, so allow travel time. It is open from 11:00 to 17:30, Tuesday to Sunday, and closed on Mondays, though the bar keeps later hours. Booking online is optional; you can buy tickets on the spot, but only by card.
Groups of 15 or more must book in advance. Tickets are not refundable but stay valid for a year, and you can change the date through the website. The tour is fully wheelchair accessible. The site asks visitors to confirm they are of legal drinking age.
Making the most of it
Combine the visit with a trip to the nearby Zurenborg district, and have a drink or a bite in the bar when you finish. If you want a guided, talk-based introduction to Belgian food, the tasting tour of the old town works well as a complement. Beer lovers heading to Mechelen can compare it with the Het Anker brewery, which offers a guided visit in a different setting. Plan around the Monday closure and arrive hungry if you intend to eat in the bar.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided, audiovisual brewery tour with a vintage van ride, a pouring activity and two tastings.
Best time
Afternoons from Tuesday to Sunday; it is closed on Mondays.
How long
About an hour for the tour, plus time at the bar.
Tips
Booking is optional but cards only on site; confirm you are of legal drinking age and plan travel from the centre.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beer lovers who want a relaxed, hands-on brewery visit.
- Families
- Better for adults and older teenagers because of the tastings.
- Couples
- A fun shared activity that ends with a drink at the bar.
- Pair with
- The Zurenborg district, or the old-town tasting tour on another day.
- Time needed
- About an hour and a half including the bar.
Good questions
Where is the brewery?+
At Mechelsesteenweg 291 in Antwerp, a little outside the historic centre.
How long does the tour take?+
About an hour, and it is self-guided at your own pace.
Are tastings included?+
Yes, two: one before the tour and one during it.
Is it wheelchair accessible?+
Yes, the tour is fully wheelchair accessible.
Do I need to book?+
Online booking is optional, but groups of 15 or more must book in advance. On-site tickets can be bought by card only.
