Radtour Northern Trappist Breweries

Poperinge is a charming town in the southwest corner of the province of West Flanders, close to the French border. The town of 20,000 inhabitants is mostly known for its World War I heritage sites and captivating beer culture with many hop fields in the surrounding area. In the last years Poperinge also has developed itself as a regional hub for cycling and hiking. The municipality consists besides Poperinge of six other communities: Haringe, Krombeke, Proven, Reningelst, Roesbrugge and Watou.

Understand

During World War I the battleground was only a few kilometers to sometimes just a few hundred meters away from Poperinge. The town however never got captured by the Germans and functioned as a posting station for the allied army forces going to or from the Ypres Salient. English soldiers that recalled the town for its amusement and prostitutes, named the town affectionately as "Pops". The many cemeteries in the region are a somber reminder of the thousands of soldiers that died in the surrounding countryside.

See

World War I sites

• ⊙Talbot House, Gasthuisstraat 43. Daily 10:00—17:30. Last entrance at 16:30. The ‘Every Man’s Club’ as Talbot House was called is one of the most evocative sites of the Great War. Over half a million soldiers were catered here. Everyone was treated equally as ranks did not matter here. Soldiers had the opportunity to play the piano, borrow books, to become human again. The exceptional spirit can possibly best be felt in the newly renovated 'Upper Room' or Chapel. This ‘Home away from Home’ makes a good way to look on the other side of World War I. €8, children till 6 years old go in for free. Combi-ticket Talbout House/Hopmuseum: €10. (updated May 2017)
• ⊙Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Boescheepseweg 35A. Daily 9:00—18:00. This military cemetery is the prime witness of over four years of brutal fighting during World War I. Between 1915 and 1920 the hamlet of Lijssenthoek operated as the biggest evacuation hospital of the Ypres Salient. Next to the cemetery is a visitor center which provides a deeper understanding and impression of the history of the site. Free access. (updated May 2017)
• ⊙Gwalia Cemetery, Elverdingseweg 22. A hop farm was claimed by the British army forces and called Gwalia Farm after a place in Wales. A small hospital was installed here. 470 army members who did not survive are buried on a cemetery on a plat behind the farm. Free access. (updated May 2017)
• ⊙Death Cells and Execution Spot, Guido Gezellestraat 1, ☎ +32 57 346676. The authentic execution pole which is situated in the inner courtyard of the town hall is a hurtful reminder of the fate that awaited so many so called 'deserters'. Soldiers, who sometimes bombarded for days, became near senseless and simply did not know what they were doing. Instead of receiving understanding and compassion, they served as a terrifying example to others. The condemned men spent their last night in the death cell before being shot at dawn on the courtyard. The site recently was renovated. Free. (updated Jun 2017)
• ⊙Nine Elms British Cemetery, Helleketelweg. 1615 war victims are buried here, of which 1593 are killed during the First World War and about 20 victims and 2 unidentified losses from the Second World War. (updated Jun 2017)

Other sights

• ⊙St. John's church (Sint-Janskerk), Sint-Janskruisstraat 1. 13th century church which is a well-known place for pilgrimage dedicated to Our Lady. According to common beleifs, Our Lady performed a miracle here in 1479. This miracle is the basis for the yearly religious-historical procession, called Maria-Ommegang. (updated Jun 2017)
• ⊙St. Bertinus' church (Sint-Bertinuskerk), Garenstraat 1. Together with the St. John's church this one is very noticeable in the town of Poperinge. In the stained glasses of the church you can spot some local references, such as hops on the rood loft and depicted hop picking scenes. (updated Jun 2017)
• ⊙Town Hall, Grote Markt 1. The Poperinge Town Hall was built in 1911 by the same architect who later would be responsible of the reconstruction of Ypres after the world war. (updated Jun 2017)
• ⊙German Tower (Duitse Toren), Westvleterseweg. This 13m high German observation tower was built in 1940 during the Second World War as part of a military airfield (Fliegerhorst) just outside Poperinge. When the airfield closed in 1941 and became rural area again the tower fell out of use. Today the tower stands in the middle of the field and can only be seen from a short distance. (updated Jun 2017)
• ⊙Weeuwhof, Sint-Annastraat. On the location of a former hop field on the assignment of a canon 12 houses for widows (called weeuwen in the local dialect) and old single ladies were built. Later the complex was extended by 6 additional houses. (updated Jun 2017)
• ⊙Page Electronics, Casselstraat 210 (walk down the Casselstraat from the church), ☎ +32 57 346766. A local company assembling modern electronics, ranging from modules for spacecraft and aviation to prototypes for world famous research institute IMEC in Leuven . They offer free tours of the entire assembly line, giving a unique insight in how modern electronics are manufactured, including circuit boards, cabling, and assembly of complete products. Guided tours in English or Dutch only, with reservation. Tours take 3 - 4 hours, making it a great activity for the many rainy days in West Flanders. Free. (updated Sep 2017)

Beer and hop

• ⊙Hop Museum, Gasthuisstraat 71, ☎ +32 57 337922. From 25 February until 30 November Tue-Sun 10:00—18:00. Closed on Mondays. The Poperinge region has centuries of hop growing tradition. This tradition is showcased in this museum in the former building of the Municipal Scales (Stadsschaal). The whole process of hop growing is pictured and explained, along with historical documents, photographs and an audio guide. €6, €2,50 for people younger than 25, children till 6 years old go in for free. Combi-ticket Talbout House/Hopmuseum: €10. (updated May 2017)

Do

Beer and hop

• ⊙Brewery Sint-Bernardus, Trappistenweg 23, ☎ +32 57 388021. Tours are possible every day in English, Dutch and French. Since 1946 this brewery in the village of Watou produces dark and blond abbey ales with their own yeasts and malts. Their hops come from the hop field that is located right next to the brewery. €12,50. (updated Jun 2017)
• ⊙Brewery De Plukker, Elverdingseweg 16. Apr—Sept: Offer guided tours in Dutch for individuals or small groups on the first Saturday of the month at 15:00. This family owned brewery produces 5 beers, of which 3 are year round and 2 hop harvest beers. The brewery shop is opened on Saturday afternoons 14:00—17:00. There are also some selling points in the town center and in the wider region. During the tour it is possible to taste the beers. €6. (updated Jun 2017)