21 November 2020 / 17 Comments

Belgian beer - and breweries in Belgium

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Writer: Helena Bergström

Belgian beer is exciting, and visiting breweries in Belgium is an adventure. You'll find everything from wheat beer and Trappist beer to cherry beer and spontaneously fermented beer, made in the same way as a hundred years ago. Belgium has sometimes been called the 'Disneyland of beer' and it's easy to see why - tasting Belgian beer is like embarking on an unusually surprising roller coaster ride.

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Belgian beer is exciting

My (Helena's) first acquaintance with Belgian beer was on a work trip to Belgium. Ghent 2013. I went out with my colleagues in the evening and had two beers. It was good, but I couldn't for the life of me understand why I felt so affected. That was before I realised that Belgian beer can be... very strong.

Belgisk öl
Beer at the De Koninck brewery in Antwerp

I now know that Belgian beer can be flavourful, strong, fruity, tart and surprising in a number of other ways. Peter and I have travelled back to Belgium several times and visited a variety of breweries. Here we summarise what we've learned about Belgian beer, and offer our best tips for breweries in Belgium and beer bars in Brussels.

Peter at a brewery in Belgium

Belgian beer: Trappist and abbey beers

Trappist beer is beer that is brewed in monasteries by monks belonging to the Staircase gate. In order to call your beer Trappist beer, certain additional requirements must be met. Trappist is a protected trade mark owned and controlled by the International Trappist Association. Only if the product is approved by the organisation can it be labelled "Authentic Trappist Product".

Monasteries that do not fulfil the requirements for Trappist beers can produce 'monastic beers', which are similar to Trappist beers. These beers are often decorated with images of monasteries or monks.

Trappist beer - strong and flavourful

Trappist beers tend to be over-fermented, flavourful and have a high alcohol content (between 6 and 11% by volume). The beers are often characterised by a large amount of malt, and are often described as full-bodied and generously sweet. Some brands are also flavoured, for example with spices, herbs or raw sugar.

Belgisk öl - Orval
Trappist beer Orval in Ghent restaurant - many Belgian beers have their own glasses

Half of all Trappist monasteries are in Belgium

Half of the world's 12 beer-producing Trappist monasteries are located in Belgium. The most famous beer from these monasteries is Chimay, which can be bought at Systembolaget in Sweden. Some small brands can only be obtained by travelling to the monastery in question.

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Double and Triple - dark or golden yellow.

Dubbel is a style of Trappist and monastic beer. This beer is dark, malty, slightly sweet and has an alcohol content of 6-7 per cent by volume. Tripel is instead golden yellow in colour, and is a strong beer with a distinct sweetness. The alcohol content is often around 10 per cent.

Belgisk öl - Tripel Karmeliet
Tripel Karmeliet, with 8 per cent alcohol by volume

Belgian beer: Witbier (spiced wheat beer)

Witbier or bier blanche (wheat beer or 'white beer') is a top-fermented beer using not only barley malt but also some wheat malt. Belgium has a long history of experimenting freely with spices and flavours.

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This is different from Germany, which for a long time followed the "Reinheitsgebot", strict rules that governed that German beer could only contain the ingredients hops, malt, yeast and water.

Witbier - with coriander or orange peel

In the production of Belgian Witbier, unmalted wheat is often used in the mash, and the proportion of wheat malt is lower compared to its German counterpart. Belgian Witbier is also often flavoured, for example with coriander and orange peel. Perhaps the most famous Belgian wheat beer is Hoegaarden, which is also available at Systembolaget in Sweden.

Belgisk öl - ölkryddor
Flavouring and seasoning for beer in Belgium

Belgian beer: Spontaneously fermented beer, sour beer and fruit beer

Producing spontaneously fermented beer, i.e. not adding yeast, is another unique feature of Belgian beer. This is the oldest way of making beer and involves allowing microorganisms in the air to attack the brew, which is kept in large open tanks or barrels. Making beer in this way is rare today, but it is done in a few places, including the Castillion brewery in Brussels.

Bryggerier i Belgien - Cantillion i Bryssel
Old-style cooling at the Cantillion brewery in Brussels

Lambic and Gueuze - like 100 years ago

Spontaneously fermented beer made in this old-fashioned way is called Lambic. Lambic is rarely sold in its pure form, but different vintages are blended together into what is called Gueuze. Another way is to flavour the lambic with berries or fruit. The beer is tart and may have a slight vinegar flavour, but is complex and interesting.

Red and brown beer - from the East and from the West

In addition to spontaneously fermented beer, there are other Belgian beers with a sour flavour. In Flanders there are two types of sour beer that do not ferment spontaneously. Red beer is produced in the western part and brown beer (oud bruin) in the eastern part. The beer ferments in metal tanks and wooden barrels and is acidified by lactobacilli. The beer is then aged for at least 18 months and mixed with younger and older beers before the product is ready.

Bryggerier i Belgien
Beer kegs at a brewery in Mechelen

Fruit beer - with cherries or raspberries

The fruit beer tradition originates from the gueuze, where cherries or raspberries are often added to stimulate fermentation or for flavour. These fruit beers, called kriek (cherry) and frambozen (raspberry), can be considered the 'champagne' of the beer world.

Today, many more commercial fruit beers are made, based on fruit syrups or essences, which are considerably sweeter. These fruit beers have become very popular, both in Belgium and internationally, perhaps not least among those who are not otherwise fond of beer.

Bryggerier i Belgien - Cantillion i Bryssel
Tasting gueuze and fruit beer at the Cantillion brewery in Brussels

Belgian beer: Saison

Saison is Belgian beer that comes from the Walloon countryside, that is, from the French-speaking part of Belgium. Originally, it was a seasonal beer brewed in the spring. The beer is dry and has a spicy flavour.

Four exciting breweries in Belgium

There are plenty of breweries in Belgium, and if you want to learn more about the production, you should definitely visit and take a guided tour. We have visited four breweries in Belgium and all of them were very interesting, in different ways.

Bryggerier i Belgien

1. De Koninck in Antwerp

De Koninck is a major brewery in the Antwerpwhere they also make cheese, chocolate and pastries. A guided tour here is a special experience! The tour starts and finishes with beer, and in between you are guided through the history of the brewery with the help of animations and films on the walls.

  • Oil: Wild Jo, Tripel d'Anvers, Bolleke and De Koninck Specials.
  • See and do: Modern guided tour with animations, cheese making, bakery, chocolate shop, beer shop and the Black Smoke meat restaurant.
  • Address: Mechelsesteenweg 291, Antwerp
Bryggerier i Belgien - De Koninck
Belgisk öl

2. The Halve Maan in Bruges

Brewery De Halve Maan (The Crescent) in pier was founded by the Mae family in 1856, and has been run by the same family ever since, generation after generation. Over time, the small brewery in the town became too small for the large production, and a pipeline (!) was laid 3.2 kilometres to transport the beer underground.

  • Oil: Straffe Hendrik and Brugse Zot
  • See and do: Really interesting guided tour and restaurant with food and beer.
  • Address: Walplein 26, Bruges
Bryggerier i Belgien - De Halve Maan
Bryggerier i Belgien - De Halve Maan

3. Het Anker in Mechelen

In Mechelen (as in all Belgian cities) there used to be several breweries. Today, only Het Anker remains, and the reason is that this brewery dared to focus on different beers with character, while all other breweries produced popular lager.

  • Oil: Gouden Carolus Classic, Gouden Carolus Triple and others, as well as whiskey.
  • See and do: Guided tour, and you can also have dinner in the brewery's restaurant.
  • Address: Guido Gezellelaan 49, Mechelen
Bryggerier i Belgien - Het Anker
Belgisk öl

4. Cantillon in Brussels

At the Cantillon brewery, beer is brewed in the traditional way, that is, in exactly the same premises and in exactly the same way as a hundred years ago. The beer is cooled on the roof by outside air, which means that beer can only be produced in the winter months. One of the beers made here is genuine Gueuze.

  • Oil: Lambic, Gueuze and fruit beer, made in the traditional way
  • See and do: Learn about old brewing methods on a guided tour, taste Gueuze and cherry beer and buy beer (maximum pot per person).
  • Address: Cantillon Brewery/Brussels Museum of the Gueuze, rue Gheude 56.
Bryggerier i Belgien - belgisk öl
Bryggerier i Belgien - Cantillion

Bonus: Four cool beer bars in Brussels

If you like beer and are visiting Brussels, you can also take the opportunity to visit a bunch of cool beer bars. Here are four cafés and pubs that stand out from the crowd.

1st Delirium Café

If you're going to visit one beer bar in Brussels, it's the Delirium Café! It has the largest selection of beer in the world with over 3000 different beers from over 60 different countries. The pub is located at Impasse de la Fidélité 4.

Belgisk öl på Delirium Café

2. Poechebelle cellar

Poechebellekelder means 'puppet cellar', and in 1806 a puppet theatre was actually started here. Now the marionettes entertain pub goers by hanging and dangling from the ceiling. You can choose from 150 different types of beer while you're here. The pub is located at Rue du Chêne 5.

Belgisk öl på Poechebellekelder

3. paper flower

La Fleur en papier is one of the oldest and most famous cafés in Brussels. It serves simple food, but above all you come here for the good beer and the nostalgic feeling. The café was opened by poet Geert van Bruaene in 1944, and nothing has been touched since. Address: Rue des Alexiens 53-55 (Cellebroerstraat 55).

Belgisk öl på La Fleur en Papier

4. the Cirio

Le Cirio is a pleasant and beautiful old café, decorated in 1909, where you can enjoy a beer or a drink. In the old days, stockbrokers used to come here for a drink, and those who hadn't done so well in business were happy to order 'half and half'. The drink, which consists of half bubbles and half white wine, can still be ordered. The bar is located at Rue de la Bourse 18-20.

Bryssel drink

What are your experiences with Belgian beer and breweries in Belgium?

Have you drunk Belgian beer and what do you like about it? Have you visited any breweries in Belgium? Please tell us!

All our top tips for Belgium. Click on the image!

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FREEDOMtravel Avslut
21 November 2020 6:00
Belgium, Food and drink
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  1. Lena - gott för själen says:

    I realise that you have been working on this post for a long time. Packed with interesting content! I had no idea that Belgian beer was such a "thing". In fact, I don't know if I've ever had any Belgian beer. Have been to breweries in St Barbara, California and in Prague, Czech Republic. I find such things interesting.

    Now I have definitely opened my eyes to Belgian beer 🙂 Have a nice Saturday!

    Hug Lena

    21 November 2020 - 8:29

    Reply

    • Evy Knoph says:

      Wow, fun reading. I prefer to drink cocktails..but have a favourite Belgian beer, Palm. Have not seen it in Sweden (can be ordered via some systems).
      1) Was at a colleague's house when I was working in Delfzijl, Holland in the 80's... he asked what beer I wanted... Doesn't matter, a beer is a beer... You can't say that, he brought out a Palm, and it was the best beer I've ever tasted ;-).
      2) Commuted a lot between Sweden and Holland, which the children's father comes from... when you came down after 12 hours by car and boat, it was always good to have a Palm with the then father-in-law, who also had it as a favourite :-).

      21 November 2020 - 9:23

      Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      Lena, Belgian beer is really a "thing" 😉 I like Belgian beer because it is exciting and surprising. Nice that you have been to breweries in USA and Czech Republic! We have also been to a brewery in the Czech Republic, but we have not been to the USA at all ... Wish you a nice weekend!

      21 November 2020 - 18:17

      Reply

  2. Rico says:

    Just saying Westvleteren, what a beer. Was in Vleteren at Sixtus Abbey when I did my first motorhome trip in Europe in 2016.
    A very interesting post from you today?

    21 November 2020 - 9:57

    Reply

  3. Susjos says:

    So much exciting information about Belgian beer! My absolute favourite beer from Belgium is Leffe Blonde, but I have not tasted so many beers from Belgium! Have drunk Trappist beer too, very good!
    Been to Bruges, can't remember if we went to a brewery there?
    Have a nice weekend!

    21 November 2020 - 11:14

    Reply

  4. BP says:

    Yes, the Belgians take their beers very seriously. The beers you list I didn't even know existed, so it was a really fun read:-) The only Belgian beers I remember drinking are Leffes and Amstel.

    21 November 2020 - 15:58

    Reply

  5. Per Thimon says:

    That was a nice informative post about Belgian beer.
    I like sharp Belgian beer. Every beer has its special glass.

    21 November 2020 - 17:25

    Reply

  6. bmlarsreseblogg says:

    What a well done post about Belgian beer! We haven't travelled much in Belgium so far, but last year we visited Bruges. Then we went on a guided tour at De Halve Maan, very interesting. Then we visited one of the old famous beer cafes. It was 't Brugs Beertje. We have realised that beer is a whole science and think it is wonderful with all the small local breweries that are popping up here at home too!

    21 November 2020 - 18:04

    Reply

  7. Geddfish says:

    I tasted Leffe Blonde in Brussels and became so fond of it that I have bought it in Sweden several times. I think I drank some other variety but can't remember the name.
    I was also in Bruges but not in a brewery.
    Beer is not my thing anymore but I wouldn't say no to a Leffes.

    21 November 2020 - 20:00

    Reply

  8. Ditte says:

    Nice to read more about the Belgian beer. Exciting post. Have been to Belgium a lot and like many of the varieties I have tried. Have had the privilege of having friends here and during some visits also visited some breweries. Mostly in the more French-speaking part

    22 November 2020 - 9:48

    Reply

  9. Bara+brittiskt says:

    After five years in Brussels, I've tried a few things, including the occasional festival or visit to a brewery. Delirium and Le Cirio are classics, but I also want to mention A La Mort Subite nearby. Cirio has been visited by Brel and others and when it was to be renovated during our time there, they had to paint the ceiling in a yellow-brown shade to keep the historically smoky colour.
    I also recommend the area of Saint Gilles for fun little beer bars with fewer tourists.
    The best bar in Belgium is otherwise 't Brugs Beertje in Bruges, which I often miss both for the long beer menu and the quiet atmosphere. By the way, in Bruges we once won a magnum bottle of Brugse Tripel in a lottery.
    One of my favourite beers is Hapkin, which is similar to the more famous Duvel available in Sweden. A completely different beer I like is the Walloon La Chouffe with Santa Claus on the labels. Strong stuff.

    25 November 2020 - 11:33

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