Belgium, the home of exceptional beers

By Malin Norman

More than just a tasty beverage in a glass, Belgian beer symbolises deep passion, outstanding quality, and true craftsmanship. With more than 400 breweries and over 1,600 beer brands, the country’s beer culture is included in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Beer has always been a vital part of Belgium’s history, gastronomy and social life. And the fantastic range of beers and world-class breweries are loved not just in Belgium, but around the world: Westmalle, Rodenbach, Orval, Duvel, Boon, Chimay and Westvleteren are just a few.

Photo: © www.milo-profi.be

The country’s brewing heritage dates back to the Middle Ages, and many breweries still use the same recipes and brewing methods that have been passed down through generations. At the same time, a new wave of innovative craft brewers are exploring new ingredients, recipes and brewing methods – keeping Belgium’s beer scene alive.

Photo: Visit Flanders

Diversity in brewing process and ingredients

Nowhere else in the world will you find as many distinctive, authentic, and colourful beer styles: saisons, wheat beers, lambics and gueuzes, dubbels, tripels, Brut de Flanders, Spéciale Belge, and so on. Clearly, there is a beer for all tastes and occasions.

Belgium is known also for Flanders Red Ales, exemplified by Rodenbach. “Belgium, and especially Flanders, was the battlefield of Europe for centuries. Historically, we’ve seen influences and migrations from the rest of Europe, which has also had a big impact on our beer culture,” says Rudi Ghequire, who served as head brewer at Rodenbach for 40 years. This is the brewery with enormous oak barrels for ageing beers, towering nearly to the ceiling, containing from 180 hectolitres up to 650 hectolitres of beer.

Photo: Hof ten Dormaal

The historic restriction rules of Napoleon have shaped brewing in Flanders, explains Ghequire. “Because we haven’t had the same restrictions for brewing in Flanders as in many other places in Europe, we have an older method for preserving our beers, like in Flanders Red Ales,” he says. “Also, we still have five Trappist breweries in Belgium, close to the frontiers (France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands), which has greatly influenced our world-famous higher ABV beers in Belgium, like dubbels and tripels.”

Photo: Belgian Beer World

UNESCO recognition and brewers’ resilience

In 2016, the beer culture in Belgium was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition means that the country’s beers and breweries are considered to be so deeply intertwined with society that they help shape the Belgian identity.

“Making and appreciating beer is part of the living heritage of a range of communities throughout Belgium. It plays a role in daily life, as well as festive occasions,” says the motivation by UNESCO. It is also stated that beer is about more than just drinking alcohol. “In addition, beer is used for cooking including in the creation of products like beer-washed cheese and, as in the case of wine, can be paired with foods to compliment flavours.”

Photo: © Visit Mechelen Aikon

The culture and know-how also attract the attention of international beer lovers, many of which come to see how the brewing processes are carried out and to enjoy the beer. “Belgium is probably my favourite destination to tour breweries,” says Chris Flaskamp, founder of Beer Culture Tours Around the World, a tour operator based in Chile. “There seems to be a new place I haven’t heard of popping up on my radar every other month, and each has a different story to tell, as well as a different beer to taste.”

What makes Belgian brewers so special is also their resilience to stick to historical recipes and equipment, means Flaskamp. “Quite a few of them are veritable beer museums, with the youngest member of the founding family brewing the same beer with the same equipment for hundreds of years, in defiance of all market trends. The most famous example is obviously Cantillon, the only Lambic brewery still standing in the Brussels city area, self-coined the Brussels Gueuze Museum.”

Jean-Louis Dits, owner of Brasserie de Vapeur, and Chris Flaskamp. Photo: Chris Flaskamp

Belgian Beer World and legendary festival

The beer culture is, no doubt, ingrained in the country’s DNA. In addition to its many breweries and beer brands, Belgium has amazing pubs, cafés, restaurants, museums and beer festivals that bring the beer culture to life.

You will have the perfect opportunity to get a taste of this exceptional culture during the Belgian Beer Weekend, which takes place 5-7 September at Grand-Place in Brussels. See our special feature on the Belgian Beer Weekend.

If in Brussels, also check out Belgian Beer World, which opened its doors in the renovated Brussels Stock Exchange building in 2023. Supported by around a hundred Belgian brewers, the interactive experience centre presents the history of Belgian beer, from the Middle Ages to the present day. The experience ends with a breathtaking view in the new sky bar: BEER LAB offers a panorama of the rooftops of downtown Brussels and the City Hall tower.

Photo: Visit Flanders

For more information on Belgian beer culture, you can check out: visitflanders.com

BEER TREASURES IN SIX FLEMISH CITIES:

Antwerp: Bolleke and the world’s best pub

The city’s flagship brewery is De Koninck, which brews the famous Spéciale Belge beer called Bolleke. Also check out the celebrated bar Kulminator, once chosen as best pub in the world, which serves around 600 different beers – a destination for the bucket list.

Bruges: fairytale city with a beer pipeline

In Bruges, the brewery De Halve Maan has famously constructed a three-kilometre un derground beer pipeline between the brewery and the bottling plant. You will also find the renowned beer bar ‘t Brugs Beertje here, with a selection of over 300 different beers.

Brussels: birthplace of lambic and gueuze

In the city of lambic beer, which also provides the basis for the famed gueuze and kriek beers, you will find breweries such as Cantillon (also home to the Brussels Museum of the Gueuze), Lindemans and Timmermans.

Ghent: tradition and youthful energy

If in Ghent, do not miss Dok Brewing Company, with its quirky range of proprietary beers. Also make sure to check out two fantastic beer bars: De Dulle Griet, which offers a selection of 500 different beers, and Waterhuis aan de Bierkant, with 150 different brews, of which 14 are on tap.

Leuven: the home of Stella Artois historic town hall.

The university city has a strong brewing tradition. Here, the Artois family started brewing in 1708 and Leuven is now known as the birthplace of the iconic Stella Artois. Another brewery well worth a visit is Domus – make sure to devour their craft beers brewed in the Carolus, is the unofficial mascot of the city. Another must is De Hanekeef, Mechelen’s oldest pub, which has been serving a selection of around 40 different beers since 1886.

Mechelen: city of Gouden Carolus

One of the country’s oldest breweries is based here: Het Anker. Its flagship beer, Gouden
Source: visitflanders.com

UPCOMING BEER EVENTS:

Belgian Beer Weekend

25th edition of the legendary celebration of Belgian beer culture, with over 500 beers from more than 50 breweries.
Grand-Place in Brussels, 5-7 September.
www.belgianbeerweekend.be

Bruges Beer Festival

17th edition of the festival, with over 350 beers from more than 50 breweries.
Bruges Meeting & Convention Centre, 13-14 September.
www.brugsbierfestival.be

Billie’s Craft Beer Fest

A celebration of friendship, shared passion, dreams and the love of craft, with 60 of the best breweries in the world.
Waagnatie, Antwerp, 7-8 November.
www.billiescraftbeerfest.com

Christmas Beer Festival

Annual festival organised by Objective Beer tasters Essen Region. Visitors can taste about 200 Belgian Christmas and winter beers.
Heuvelhal, Essen, 13-14 December.
en.kerstbierfestival.be

Source: visitflanders.com