Pure craftsmanship and hop devotion in Flanders

By Malin Norman

This year is a milestone for beer lovers, with the tenth anniversary of Belgian beer culture being recognised on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. It is also time for the 15^th edition of the biennial Toer de Geuze, an epic weekend with 14 outstanding producers opening their doors to the public. Plus, the triennial Beer and Hops Festival in Poperinge, an event that has been running for 70 years, will once again attract thousands of visitors from near and afar.

One of the highlights in Flanders this spring is Toer de Geuze, which takes place 9-10 May in Halle. The biennial event has been organised since 1997 by HORAL, the organisation which unites most lambic breweries and gueuze blenders in Pajottenland and the Senne Valley.

Photo: Visit Flanders

Toer de Geuze attracts approximately 20,000 visitors and is somewhat of a beer pilgrimage for lambic lovers from around the world – some are surely counting the days. “During the weekend, our 14 producers open their doors to the public,” says Gert Christiaens, chairman of HORAL and owner and blender at Oud Beersel. “Each brewery and blender defines their own programme for the day, with tours and the chance to try their beers, and some might even have a beer brewed especially for Toer de Geuze.”

Photo: Cliff Lucas

The producers can be visited at leisure by car or bike, or a seat can be reserved on a tour bus organised by HORAL. And best of all, admission is free everywhere. “It’s a celebration of lambic and a fantastic opportunity to see the craftsmanship and centuries-old tradition,” says Christiaens. “But it’s not just for beer geeks. As this is an open door event, you can just walk into a brewery or blender, enjoy a beer together, and have a good time.”

Pure craftsmanship and hop devotion in Flanders

Megablend and cooperation in Lambiekland

For this edition of Toer de Geuze, the members of HORAL have created a special beer together. HORAL Oude Geuze Megablend 2026 will be launched on Friday 8 May, the day before Toer de Geuze kicks off. “This is a huge collaboration; all 14 members of HORAL have contributed in the form of providing lambic,” says Christiaens. “The young and old lambic are blended together to create a unique, complex Oude Geuze. On Toer de Geuze, you will be able to buy Megablend at the breweries and blenders to bring home.”

Photo: Cliff Lucas

Thanks to HORAL, Oude Geuze and Oude Kriek have received the European Guaranteed Traditional Speciality label, a recognition that protects the craft. Another initiative by the organisation is Lambiekland, a tourism concept highlighting the centuries-old brewing tradition of spontaneous fermentation. Lambiekland represents the complete experience around lambic beers with tours and recreational activities in the region.

Photo: Cliff Lucas

“A lot is happening in the world of lambic,” adds Christiaens. “Although breweries and blenders span generations, a new younger generation is taking over the reins. They are creative and experimenting with techniques and flavours, whilst staying true to traditions. It keeps Lambiekland alive.”

Photo: Cliff Lucas

70 years of international hops festival

Around 185 hectares of hops are cultivated in Belgium, of which 85 per cent in the Poperinge region. There are around 18 farmers specialising in hops here, for instance ‘t Hoppecruyt and Belhop, and when driving into Poperinge, you are basically surrounded by hop fields.

Pure craftsmanship and hop devotion in Flanders

Traditionally, the people in Poperinge staged a massive feast in celebration of the annual hop harvest. However, following the introduction of mechanical harvesting, this tradition disappeared. Luckily, the city’s traders decided to introduce their beloved hop party again in 1956. 70 years later, the festival in Poperinge is still going strong.

The triennial Beer and Hops Festival takes place 18-20 September, and once again some 30,000 visitors are expected to come and take part in the fun. For a city with only 20,000 inhabitants, this is an impressive number. “Poperinge has long-standing relations with cities in other hop regions, such as Kent in the UK,” explains Bart Wemaere, festival director. “It makes for an international festival, with many people returning every three years. It’s like a family reunion.”

Photo: Jan D’Hondt

Kicking off on Friday, the festival welcomes visitors with a cheerful children’s parade. “For the second time, pupils from our local schools will dress up as friends and enemies of hops,” says Wemaere. On Saturday afternoon, marching bands from Poperinge and abroad fill the town centre, leading to a fantastic Taptoe performance on Paardenmarkt. On Sunday afternoon, around 2,000 participants join the colourful hop procession, portraying the global hop journey, where this year’s Hop Queens greet the crowds – a highlight of the festival.

Photo: Toerisme Popering

Throughout the weekend, visitors can taste Belgian beers in the city’s market square, and a Munich-style beer tent tempts up to 3,200 visitors at Oudstrijdersplein – both with no entrance fee. “Whilst the main reason to visit the tent might be to drink pints of strong Belgian beers, there are of course plenty of music acts such as brass bands playing as well,” smiles Wemaere. “It’s always packed, and with a great atmosphere!”

Photo: Leroy Breweries

Beers made with hops from Poperinge

When in the Poperinge region, St. Bernardus in Watou is one of the breweries worth visiting. Its beers are brewed with 100 per cent Poperinge hops – straight from the field right next to the brewery. Join a brewery tour and have a beer at Bar Bernard, which has a roof terrace with 360-degree views of the hop fields – a must for thirsty explorers.

Another local brewery to check out is the family-run Leroy Breweries, which is where the celebrated Hommelbier (hommel means hops in Dutch) is made. First brewed in 1981 for the Beer and Hops Festival, this beer is a tribute to the hops from Poperinge – the region’s most famous export product.

Pure craftsmanship and hop devotion in Flanders

For more information on what to see and do in Flanders, you can check out visitflanders.com

Beer and Hops Festival
When: 18-20 September 2026
www.toerismepoperinge.be

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