Belgium is famous for waffles and chocolate, but perhaps the most popular export from this northern European country is beer. The history of brewing in Belgium goes back centuries, back before Belgium was even the independent country it is today. In fact, for much of Belgium’s history, beer provided a safer alternative to drinking water since the brewing process eliminated many of the bacteria found in water in the preindustrial age.
Belgian beer covers an astonishing range of styles, including its famous Trappist beers. Trappist beers must be brewed in a monastery by monks to get the designation, and only ten monasteries in the entire world are recognized as official Trappist monasteries, with six of them inside Belgium.
However, there are many other styles of Belgian beer to try. And as the capital city of the country, Brussels is home to some of the best pubs in Belgium. Plus, with the growing international popularity of the craft beer movement, Brussels is becoming a great place to try local breweries too, even in the heart of the city. If you’re looking to take a beer-tasting tour to sample the best of what Belgium has to offer, there are few better places to do it than in Brussels.
Drop off your bags at a convenient luggage storage in Brussels and check out some of the best beer anywhere in the world. The pubs and breweries of Brussels provide the perfect introduction to the astonishing variety of the country’s beer.
Brasserie Cantillon
Although it’s not exactly a hidden gem, this restaurant and brewery may be the ideal place to begin your exploration of Belgian beer. Located close to Gare du Midi Train Station, this historic brewery also functions as a local history museum. But what it’s most famous for is its astonishing range of beers brewed on the premises and sold to other pubs and restaurants throughout Brussels and the rest of Belgium.
If you don’t know anything about different varieties of beer, you’ll soon learn here. This article isn’t the place to get into the details of the many kinds of beer you’ll find in the country, but you should at least be familiar with lambics. Lambic beer is fermented using local wild yeast instead of the more usual brewer’s yeast, and lambic beer has been brewed in Brussels since the 13th century, so you’ll find plenty of this refreshing drink on offer here.
Cantillon brews mostly lambic beer, with an emphasis on the fresh and local, so this is a great place to come to get better acquainted with a style of beer that is virtually synonymous with Brussels. They also offer great food and even brewery tours where you can learn more about the beer brewing process and the science and art that goes into producing this delicious drink.
De Zennebrouwerij
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One of the more recent additions to the Brussels beer scene, this brewery, also known as Brasserie de la Senne in French, opened its current premises in 2017. However, the company has been brewing in the city since 2003, bringing modern technology and tastes to this age-old tradition.
This prize-winning brewery has been one of the major contributors to bringing the craft beer scene to Brussels. The brewery produces five beers along with a range of seasonal beers that are only available at certain times of the year. Although you can’t tour the brewery for yourself, you can take part in a tasting of all the beers they produce and learn a lot more about appreciating the brewer’s art at this cutting-edge location.
Museum of the Belgian Brewers
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As we’ve mentioned, beer-making has a long and interesting history in Brussels and in Belgium as a whole. In fact, in many ways, the brewing of beer has shaped the history and culture of the country through the ages, so it’s impossible to understand one without the other. If you need a break from bars and breweries or just want to learn more about how beer became so central to Belgian life, this national beer museum is the perfect place to do it.
Located on Brussels’ Grand Place, this museum will take you back in time to discover the innovations that have given Belgian beer its unique character. You’ll also hear the stories of brewers, monks, and government officials who have impacted how beer is made and enjoyed in Belgium today. And don’t worry if you get thirsty; the museum has its own café where you can enjoy a delicious glass of beer and toast the achievements of Belgian brewers through the centuries.
The Sister
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If you’re less concerned about how beer is made and more interested in how it tastes, Brussels has an astonishing range of bars to choose from. Located close to the city center, The Sister is one of the best bars in the Belgian capital to take a journey through the country’s beer culture from your barstool. The Sister stocks more than 70 Belgian beers and offers tasting menus so you can get a good idea of what you like and don’t like for further exploration.
They also offer a great range of food, including several vegetarian and vegan options. That makes this an excellent choice for beer lovers of all dietary requirements in the heart of the city.
L’Ermitage Saint-Gilles
In the crowded beer scene of Brussels, it’s not easy to set yourself apart. However, this bar does with its insistence on only serving beer that’s brewed within two kilometers of the bar itself. That makes this hyper-local pub the perfect place to try beers brewed in the capital city itself.
They also serve natural wine and sourdough pizzas. But it’s the local beers that are the star of the show at this popular drinking establishment.
Explore the beers of Belgium
The breadth and variety of Belgian beer is astonishing, and even people who live here all their lives never run out of different beers to try. Check out some of these establishments to learn more about the history and future of Belgian brewing – and enjoy some delicious beers while you’re at it.
