Gouden Carolus Brasserie

The Gouden Carolus Brasserie is the restaurant at the Het Anker brewery, at Guido Gezellelaan 49 in Mechelen, in the Antwerp province of the Flanders region of Belgium. Het Anker is a brewery whose Gouden Carolus beers are among the best-known Belgian strong ales, and the brasserie lets visitors eat Flemish dishes in the setting where the beers are made. The cuisine is Belgian brasserie cooking, and beer-based dishes are the signature, with the brewery's beers used in sauces, stews and other preparations in the Flemish tradition. Pairing the food with Gouden Carolus beers is the central idea of the visit, and the menu is designed to make that easy. The dining room is warm and convivial, with a moderate noise level and a casual to smart-casual dress code, and the brewery setting gives it a distinct character compared with a standard town-centre restaurant. The beverage programme is led by the brewery's own range, including its amber, dark and other strong ales, alongside additional Belgian beers and wines; staff can suggest pairings for each dish. Prices are moderate ($$). Reservations are recommended for dinner, for groups and for weekends, and booking a few days ahead is generally enough; lunch is usually easier to arrange. Visitors who want to learn more about the beer can combine the meal with a brewery visit, where available, and tours are typically offered at set times that should be checked before travel. The location is a short trip from the historic centre of Mechelen, which has the St Rumbold's Cathedral and the Grote Markt, so the brasserie can be added to a day trip from Brussels or Antwerp.