Café Manuscript, a quarter of a century young
Author: Erik Verdonck / Published: 2016-04-14 11:32:46 +0200 / Last Updated: about 6 years ago
Glenn & Vanessa© BeerTourism.com
OSTEND - The Neville Brothers come bursting out of the musical wallpaper. Just for a moment or two, café Manuscript in Ostend has been shipped to the shores and swamps of New Orleans.
_683x1024.jpg?1460389107)
Medal of Honour
© BeerTourism.com
Café owner Glenn Rotsaert has no complaints about the sound levels.
Together with the previous owner, Patrick Arnoudt – called Patje by his friends – he makes an annual pilgrimage to the city on the bayou to lap up as many music performances as he can.
“Have you ever seen the Neville Brothers live in concert?” I want to know. “Five times,” Glenn responds, beaming with pride.
This affable man-behind-the-bar, always clad in black, has music in his blood.
As a bass guitarist he toured for a year with Marky Ramone and The Speed Kings, a band that drew its heritage from the legendary Ramones, perhaps the first punk band.
In a former life, Glenn was a postman and, in his spare time, helped Patje out in his café. When Patje found out that Glenn and his wife Vanessa had dreams of owning their own café, he lost no time in telling them that he was throwing in the towel.
“You two have to take over my café, I won’t sell to anyone else,” commanded Patje. The rest is Ostend history...
_1024x683.jpg?1460389033)
Glenn and Jochen
© BeerTourism.com
A Place to Relax
After 25 years, "Dé Manu", as it is affectionately known, needs no further introduction to locals. Literally everyone washes up here, from Arno, the singer of Le Plus Beau and music producer Serge Feys,
_683x1024.jpg?1460389173)
The perfect pour...
© BeerTourism.com
all the way up and down to the chef and owner of the Cook & Roll restaurant just around the corner, and the window cleaner with a little time to relax between jobs.
Two friends who are the co-founders of this very website met and spent many an evening in the 'Manu'.
If the walls here had ears, they would be able to tell many secrets, large as well as tiny.
But this café owner is a master of his craft; no-one even comes close.
He has mastered the art of listening, always has a friendly word to say to everyone, is never judgemental and keeps the atmosphere convivial. It is no surprise that anyone, whatever their age, feels at home here.
Your regular café is like a warm and comfortable coat you slip on whenever you feel like it.
And when the weather is fine, you shed your coat and carry on your conversation on the terrace.
_1024x683.jpg?1460389115)
PoppoLou Classic (6% ABV)
© BeerTourism.com
A Belgian Beer Explosion
Café Manuscript has been shaking on its foundations for all of three days. Twenty-five years is a great excuse for a celebration. Bands who are themselves regular visitors and good friends of
_683x1024.jpg?1460388946)
Owner Vanessa Demeij
© BeerTourism.com
the owners performed live in front of a 100-strong audience.
“We had to pull out all the stops,” Vanessa tells us as she and Glenn blow out 25 celebratory candles.
They spend half their time managing the café. “When we took over Manuscript all those years ago we didn’t break with tradition. We just carried on doing the same thing we had done before,” Vanessa laughs.
“Our regulars barely noticed a thing. We were already well known in the café.”
In recent years, a surprising amount of English and other languages have been heard at the bar and on the terrace.
Not just during the tourist season, as you might expect, but throughout the year.
Vanessa: “We often welcome beer lovers from abroad. They may come armed with a printout of an article from BeerTourism.com. They even recognise me from the picture and want to take a selfie!” Café Manuscript is high on the visiting beer lovers’ to-do list.
Ship ahoy!
© BeerTourism.com
Poppo & Lou
It offers over 70 Belgian speciality beers; all of the country’s beer styles are represented. The beers are neatly listed on the large chalkboard opposite the bar. “We refresh our beer menu on a regular
_683x1024.jpg?1460389111)
Cheers!
© BeerTourism.com
basis and like to introduce new beers,” Vanessa says.
“And we have a tasting room on the first floor that is ideal for groups.”
Vanessa and Glenn decided that something was still missing from their café: their own house beer. At the end of 2013 their dream became a reality: the blond North Sea beer PoppoLou started flowing in the Manuscript.
It hit the mark straight away. PoppoLou has now found its way into the hotels, cafés and restaurants along the Belgian coast.
This unfiltered beer with its slightly salty taste is an ideal thirst quencher after a walk on the beach.
And it loosens tongues at the bar. Where does the name come from? “It is just a combination of the names of our children, Poppo and Lou,” Vanessa smiles.
This offspring has now acquired a little brother: PoppoLou Extra Hoppy. It is available in large (75cl) and small (33cl) bottles but, later on in the year, this North Sea beer will be available from the tap.
If you have a thirst and a yen for the sea, you have been warned!
Visit the Manuscript
Café Manuscript
Langestraat 23
8400
Ostend
Telephone: +32 (0) 478 54 28 17
Email: manuscript@telenet.be
Website: www.manuscriptoostende.be
Ostend Blog Posts
.jpg?1472724734)
North Sea Beer Festival’s second successful showingOSTEND - For the last weekend of August, Ostend moves its location to the shores of the ‘beer sea’ as Belgian breweries, local restaurants and food trucks pull out all the stops for the annual North S ... [ read more ]
First North Sea Beer Festival attracts 5,000 visitorsOSTEND - A cosy, relaxed atmosphere and happy expressions on the faces of beer lovers from all around the world greet me. This is, above all else, what strikes me when I visit the first ever North Sea ... [ read more ]
Belgian North Sea Beer PoppoLou officially launchedOSTEND/OOSTENDE - We witnessed it with our own eyes. There was more than just one solitary message in a bottle washed up on Ostend beach. Far more than that... an entire armada of bottles came ashore, ... [ read more ]
Eetkaffee Poseidon in Ostend celebrates a new beer menuOSTEND – The queen of Belgian seaside resorts does not have an immediate association with beer as far as your average beer lover and tourist are concerned. Nevertheless, it was in this city that ‘De ... [ read more ]
The Memory Returns, as 'CATS' comes to the Kursaal OstendOSTEND - Ostend is one of those places that keeps having to reinvent itself. Blame those tides. Not those plying the beach, though – those of history. © CATS ... [ read more ]
Comments
You must be logged in to leave a comment
SHARE:
You Might Like
Brasserie Dubussion prides itself on tradition and taste and has opened a brand new visitors centre, the Beerstorium. Learn about the rich history, beers and brewing at the oldest brewery in Wallonia. You can visit this authentic Belgian brewery, see brewing in action, as well as taste some of their delicious brews for yourself, including their legendary Bush (Scaldis) beer range.
The Duvel Moortgat Brewery caters to everyone’s tastes with 3 different brewery experiences. From complete novice to experienced beer lover, Duvel has the brewery visit package for you.
This freemium App for IOS and Android lets you explore and find the best that Belgium's UNESCO recognised beer culture has to offer. Find breweries, bars, restaurants, festivals, events, experiences and beer shops; create you own beer trips and be your own tour guide!
Everything you ever wanted to know about (Belgian) beer under one roof. You get to feel, smell and taste ingredients and discover the typical Belgian beer styles. Come celebrate Belgian beer culture in heart of historic Bruges! Shop and bar are accessible without visiting the museum.
Kasteel Brouwerij Vanhonsebrouck, well known for it's "Kasteel" beer range, now offers their Bierkasteel beer experience; brewery visit, event location, restaurant, bar and shop.
BLOG
POSTS
Brussels Beer Challenge 2019, and the winners are...
BRUSSELS/MONS - We’ve made our way down to the historic city of Mons (Bergen) for the eighth edition of the international Brussels Beer Challenge. A 90-strong jury is busy tasting; there are four morning sessions in a ro... [ more ]
Brugge Tripel contributes to renovation of Burgundian chapel of worship
BRUGES - This city draws you back in time to the heydays of the Burgundian era. After years of renovation works the Gruuthusemuseum has re-opened its doors. This former city palace is the showca... [ more ]
Brewers of Europe Forum 2019: Craftsmanship on the old continent
ANTWERP - Brewers from 59 different countries flocked to attend the Brewers of Europe Forum 2019 in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hall, right next to the renowned Antwerp Central Station building. ... [ more ]
Craftsmanship and balance at brewery Van Steenberge
ERTVELDE - To track down a brewer within his own domain is a high-ranking form of sports, or that’s the impression I get. After a bit of practice I spot Jef Versele, CEO of the Van Steenberge brewery, well hidden amongst... [ more ]
Brussels Beer Challenge 2018 - The results!
MECHELEN - The historic city of Mechelen, halfway between Brussels and Antwerp, is truly a hidden gem. The presence of the Dukes of Burgundy, who ruled here in the late middle ages, still permeates the ancient city centr... [ more ]
More Beer
Café Manuscript has been a landmark in Ostend, and far beyond, for over 20 years. This brown café with its fantastic atmosphere – known for its live performances, music and superb... [ more ]
Beer Tourism Newsletter Signup
Enter your name and email address on the right and click "SignUp" to join.