Biercafe Take One

You will have no choice but to be thoroughly charmed by this café. Yes, the bar is always thick with cigarette smoke; and yes, the owner is rude and makes crass, not to mention very confusing, jokes; and yes, sometimes it’s impossible to find a seat so you end up squished into the end of the bar surrounded by shouting, smoking, drunk locals. But all of it is worth it for the times you find yourself with your perfect beer in your hand, tucked away into a cozy corner beside the array of board games and beer caps on the wall, talking away about nothing and everything with your closest friends. This bar was designed for rainy nights and long conversations… don’t miss it when you’re in Maastricht.

Biercafe Take One is a quaint little bar hidden away from the bustle of the main thoroughfares in Maastricht. I chanced upon this bar one evening when I was caught in a downpour and needed to take refuge from the weather.
I didn’t have anywhere to go, so I asked for my standard Leffe Blonde, to which the bartender chortled then placed a beer bottle and glass in front of me. «Dis bier», he explained as he poured, «vas betta dan zee trash dat you are asking fo». The bottle was not written in any language that I’d ever seen, so I can’t quote the brew, but what I can tell you was that it was a delicate and balanced brew. Rich flavor, with very slight fruity aftertaste, a thick head and medium amber color. A girly beer, but hey it was still good — better than a Kriek Beer.
Board games and beer coasters littered the entire room. Bottle caps were glued to the walls rather than wallpaper. Peanuts, which are plentiful, can be eaten and the shells dropped on the floor. Very difficult to get a seat due to the crowd of people that camp out and play board games all evening. Very, very smoky atmosphere– the only take away from this bar.
I was pleasantly surprised when my tab totaled up to a whopping two euro. That was the best and cheapest beer that I’d had in the city!

Found while leafing through a Lonely Planet guide book, as soon as I read «bar, specializing in strange beers» I was in. My husband and I took our friend who was visiting and were not the least bit disapointed. The place is small but full of locals. Beer paraphernalia covers the walls and board games line every shelf (that isn’t weighed down with beer or beer accessories). Piet – half of the husband-​wife owner/​operator team that runs the place – harassed us the whole time as he passed us beer after beer. His quips and jokes were so funny and off-​colored I almost snorted my triple-​hop IPA through my nose. Piet and Mary know their beer and they want you to know it too. Unless you’re a dumb tourtist. Or you want a Heineken. And in that case – Good luck, my friend. You will need it!
Lastly, eat some peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. In fact, it’s encouraged.