De Snelle Duve

[Trappist]

Hi,
It's a free from work week for us this week.
Excellent period to visit beerpub/tavern De Snelle Duve at Snellegem, near Bruges.
It only opens on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, hence visiting this place was a great possibility.

De Snelle Duve - Isebaertstraat 50 - 8490 Jabbeke
https://www.facebook.com/De-Snelle-Duve-404150326867277

As said, located at Snellegem. A small village near Bruges, incl. the word "snelle" (fast).
The pub is called De Snelle Duve. That's in English, the fast pigeon. Duve being Westflanders dialect for duif (pigeon).
Quite an appropriate name for a pub in Snellegem.

This place is dedicated to the local pigeon sport, and everything inside is one big showcase.
A truely pleasure when visiting, and having some food and drinks.

We arrived at 4.30pm, and the place was full! No place left, except inside the pigeon cot! Damn...





Sitting inside the pigeon cot, and feeling very lonely!
But the two beers we had were from an excellent quality!





Playing with the candle, which was settled inside a red colored glass pot gives the triple a nice red effect when placing it behind the beer.

Time to move!!! There was a table free, and we could move towards it. Lonelyness vanished by a second



Our second beer! Again, quite some satisfaction.





Moving the camera upwards gives an image towards the big bar.
People enjoying. Alot of elderly people. (includes myself)



We paired with delicious cured ham. The essential Wostyntje mustard makes it complete.



Looking to the left gives this cosy corner with quite some luxury retro chairs.
But that corner was occupated. I took the picture when people left, but we were already sitting at a table next to it.
That'll change soon.....as the next people that were sitting there wanted to change their place with our table.
They wanted to eat something, and that small table wasn't exactly appropriate for that.
No probem for us to change, as we wanted to eat the mixed platter.
So, that's actually our 2nd. moving. Anyway, that's great to see the place in different angles.
Wow, what a soft chairs they were. We could actually hava a nap.... but we didn't



We were settled, and ordered our final beers.
At that time, it was already 8pm !!





What a joy, having that rich mixed platter. The beers we paired were an extra completion and a fantastic treat.



Later on, the place became empty. Alot of people already have left the building.
Even the people that we changed our place with.
Here you see the table we were previously sitting.

Folks, paying De Snelle Duve a longish visit sure will give some precious Burgundian quality time!
Highly recommended by yours truely 

Cheers,
Filip

[Viv]

Hi Filip,

What a lovely cosy homely comfy bar/restaurant/beerpub!

And some amazing beers too!

A wonderful relaxing enjoyable time to spend there....

I was trying to recognise the empty bottle left on the table with
the 2 comfy chairs.? It's too blurred, but it looks vaguely like
the D of a Duvel. Did you see their beer menu by the way?

Cheers!


Viv



 

[Trappist]

I was trying to recognise the empty bottle left on the table with
the 2 comfy chairs.? It's too blurred, but it looks vaguely like
the D of a Duvel. Did you see their beer menu by the way?

Yes Viv, that is a regular Duvel.
Their beer menu is a 60+ beers strong. I didn't count, but it's in that range. Maybe reaching towards 70.
Next time, I'll take a picture 
Cheers,
Filip

[Trappist]

Hi Viv,
I took another picture from that corner, but realized the chairs weren't completely pictured.
That's why I used the blurried picture with the complete image instead.
No problem, here is the sharp one



Cheers,
Filip

[John B]

What a wonderful place to spend some time enjoying great beers and food. Looks exactly like the type of place I wish there were more of here. Thanks for capturing these moments Filip and sharing them with us.

Cheers! - John

[Trappist]

Looks exactly like the type of place I wish there were more of here.

Hi John,
I wish there were more over here too.
Actually, it's not going that well with our HoReCa. Beer pubs/taverns included.
The 3 years of Corona, and the sky rocking energy prices are the main reasons. And the huge inflation too ofcourse.
Alot of beerpubs have it difficult paying their monthly gass/electricity prices, which is not really in favor of their sustainability.
I don't see new beer pubs arising either, but only see alot of them finishing their existence.
But let's keep it positive, ... and have another beer !!! 
Cheers,
Filip

[Viv]

Hi Guys,

Difficult times indeed.

There are just so many external pressures on these type of businesses,
and they are concurrent right now.

Given the choice people may buy take home cans and bottles rather than
going out as it is just so much cheaper.

Cheers!


Viv

[John B]

Hi Guys,

Difficult times indeed.

There are just so many external pressures on these type of businesses,
and they are concurrent right now.

Given the choice people may buy take home cans and bottles rather than
going out as it is just so much cheaper.

Cheers!


Viv

Hi Viv,

Yes you're right. Certainly I rarely go out to bars any more, simply because as you said, it's far cheaper to just buy beer and take it home. Why spend $7 or more for a single glass of beer, then of course a gratuity on top of that to the server or bartender, when I can purchase the same beer for so much cheaper at a store and take it home?

Nowadays I think most of us really have to be careful about our spending, at least I know I do. And while spending some time at a nice place such as De Snelle Duve would be a wonderful experience (if there even WAS a place like that anywhere near me), it's something that has become a rare treat these days. In fact I don't think I even went to a bar more than a couple of times last year, and maybe had a beer at a brewery a couple more. Otherwise about 95% of my beer consumption was done at home.

Cheers! (at home) - John

[Jay]

I love these hidden gems that go with an individual theme and decorate the bar accordingly plus give the place a fitting name...wonderfully Belgian 

Cheers
Jay 

[Trappist]

I love these hidden gems that go with an individual theme and decorate the bar accordingly plus give the place a fitting name...wonderfully Belgian 

Cheers
Jay 

Jay,
Yes, love those gems too, but we need to be very careful they don't vanish for ever.
I see them as fragile gems, but our welfare is going so downwards lately. Dramatic really.
Cambrinus needs to pay 9.000 Euro/month for electricity/gass  That really makes me not that happy and positive for the future.
I can imagine the people that run those great bars could well become very depressed and stop their business.
It's actually Europe that is the BIG problem. Too much regulations, taxes, strict norms, laws, name it...
Also that stupid war with Russia doesn't make me that happy either. Remember, peace is the only and one solution 
Personally, we don't visit that many beer pubs lately.
I don't know, but after Covid, things have changed. Quite a strange feeling really.
But certainly, it is not that good for our Belgian beer pub industry.
Things really need to change to the better and as preferred ========>>> ASAP !!!

Keep being positive....

Cheers,
Filip

[Viv]

Hi Filip,

Hopefully the traditional style bars and restaurants will continue for many
years yet, and the number of tourists will just keep growing helping to
maintain things, but as you say there are hurdles to overcome at the moment.

I think psychologically these last 3 years with Covid will leave a scar on
many people.

It's certainly more convenient to stay in and taste beers at home, but we
need the social contact......!

Do stay positive, and don't let the current situations get you down! It's
not the problems and challenges but how you deal with them that matters.

Cheers!



Viv

     

[John B]

Hi Filip,

Hopefully the traditional style bars and restaurants will continue for many
years yet, and the number of tourists will just keep growing helping to
maintain things, but as you say there are hurdles to overcome at the moment.

I think psychologically these last 3 years with Covid will leave a scar on
many people.

It's certainly more convenient to stay in and taste beers at home, but we
need the social contact......!

Do stay positive, and don't let the current situations get you down! It's
not the problems and challenges but how you deal with them that matters.

Cheers!



Viv

     

Well said Viv!   

Cheers! - John

[Trappist]

I think psychologically these last 3 years with Covid will leave a scar on
many people.

Yes Viv,
And there is still that real threat another variant from Covid could well arise again.
It's a never ending uncertainty that could well make people to withold starting a new beer pub.
Cheers,
Filip