Patrick L.
Yelp
The Beertje is the kind of convivial, old-style beer bar that is frequently talked about, but rarely encountered in reality. In addition, not only is it a bar, it's kind of a monument to Belgium's entire brewing tradition, with vintage ads and glassware of every description lining the walls and hanging wherever a place can be found.
It's a huge menu, but to my American beer geek friends who may be reading, this place is all about Belgium. All Belgique, all the time - so if you're looking for rare Mikkeller bottles, Swedish beers, etc, this isn't the place. Still, it's an impressive menu, even considering that many of these beers are available on the other side of the Atlantic. Some have only spotty availability or aren't available at all, though - and if you're visiting from America, these are the beers I suggest trying. Forget your Deliriums, Chimays, Chouffes, Westmalles and the like while you're here and go for something hyper-local. Ask your bartender or server.
When I was there I had a quadruple from a very small brewer I'd never heard of (sorry, don't remember the name) and it was great. I don't drink quads all that often, because they are just too big, boozy and warming for Southeastern US drinking....but in Bruges, with a blanket of COLD rain coming down, it seemed far more appropriate.
With music reduced to a bare whisper in the background, this bar is for drinking and conversing. Tables are so close together, it's almost impossible to not talk to some new people - that's how a real bar should be!