Watou
About this Place
Watou is a small village in the West Flanders countryside, close to the French border. Although the village itself is quiet, it has become well known among beer enthusiasts as the home of St Bernardus Brewery, whose beers have earned an international reputation.
Brewery: Brouwerij St Bernardus
Visitor notes
If you're visiting Watou, you're almost certainly heading for St Bernardus Brewery, which lies just outside the village. The brewery offers an excellent visitor experience, with an engaging self-guided brewery tour, a well-stocked shop, the excellent Bar Bernard restaurant and rooftop bar, and comfortable accommodation if you'd like to stay overnight.
Watou itself is a pleasant place for a stroll, but its greatest attraction is the surrounding landscape. This corner of West Flanders is characterised by gently rolling farmland, hop fields and quiet country roads that reward a slower pace of travel. Whether you're visiting for the brewery, exploring nearby Poperinge, or simply enjoying the countryside, it's an easy place to spend a relaxed afternoon.
If you are planning a visit, consider also visiting Ypres and Westvleteren, both are within easy reach and are worth combining for an extremely rewarding journey.
And a slightly left-field recommendation: try Café Helleketel roughly half-way between Watou and Poperinge. A fantastic, characterful café/bar with a great selection of beers.