The Ultimate Belgium Beer Travel Guide

Belgium is a paradise for beer lovers, offering some of the world’s best brews and historic beer culture. This guide will help you plan the ultimate Belgium beer trip, covering top breweries and bars in Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges. We’ll also highlight a special trip to Rodenbach Brewery in Roeselare, Belgian beer facts, and an overview of Belgium travel logistics.

Getting Around: Travel Logistics

Belgium’s efficient train system makes it easy to explore its beer cities. Brussels serves as the main transportation hub, whether you’re flying into the country or arriving by international train. From Brussels, direct trains connect to Ghent and Bruges in under an hour, making it simple to hop between destinations without a car. Once in each location, most of the recommendations below are centralized around the historic core of the city and easy to walk to.

Recommended Trip Duration

To fully enjoy Belgium’s beer culture and sightseeing, here’s a suggested duration for each city:

• Brussels: At least 2 days to explore the beer scene and major attractions.
• Ghent: A full day is sufficient, but 1.5 to 2 days allows for a more relaxed experience.
• Bruges: At least 2 days to soak in the fairytale ambiance and visit top beer spots.
• Roeselare (Rodenbach Brewery): A half-day trip is ideal when traveling from Bruges or Ghent.

Getting To Know Belgian Beer

Belgium is home to an incredible variety of beer styles, each with its own unique characteristics. Many of these styles have centuries-old traditions and remain an essential part of Belgian heritage. Learning about the styles is key to preparing for your Belgium beer trip!

• Trappist & Abbey Beers – Trappist beers are brewed within the walls of a Trappist monastery under the supervision of monks, with only six official Trappist breweries in Belgium. Abbey beers, on the other hand, are brewed in the style of Trappist beers but are produced by commercial breweries that may have historical ties to monastic traditions. Both styles include Dubbels, Tripels, and Quadrupels (Dark Strong Ales), known for their rich flavors and high alcohol content. You will see a variety of labeling for these styles including the traditional names noted above as well as numerical indicators which refer to the gravity of the beer.
• Lambic Beers – Unique to Belgium, these spontaneously fermented beers include gueuze, kriek, and faro. This process gives the beer its distinctive flavour: dry, vinous, and cidery, often with a tart aftertaste. Visiting Cantillon in Brussels offers the best insight into this style.
• Other Styles– You will see variety of other traditional styles, predominantly ales, throughout Belgium. One of the most common is the refreshing Belgian Blond ale, along with its stronger sibling the Belgian Golden Strong ale. If you’re looking for a change of pace, there are many craft breweries available (some that we’ll note below) producing modern styles from all over the world.
• Glassware Tradition – In Belgium, every beer is served in its own uniquely designed glass, enhancing aroma, flavor, and presentation. From the tulip glass of a Trappist ale to the tall, to special horn and hourglass shaped glasses, this attention to detail makes Belgian beer culture truly special.

Brussels: A Beer Lover’s Haven

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, is a city rich in history, culture, and, of course, beer. While exploring the beer scene, take time to visit the Grand Place, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. Wander through the streets of the historic center to see the famous Manneken Pis statue and explore the stunning Royal Palace.

Here are the must-visit beer spots:

• Cantillon Brewery – Experience the authentic lambic brewing process at this legendary gueuze brewery. Self-guided tours let you witness their open fermentation and sample aged lambics at their on-site tasting room.
• Delirium Café – Famous for offering over 2,000 beers, this iconic bar is a must-visit for variety lovers. The café is part of a larger Delirium Village complex with other tasting rooms and beer gardens. This area is known to be a hot spot for nightlife in Brussels.
• Poechenellekelder – Across from the Manneken Pis statue, this cozy bar serves an excellent selection of Belgian classics. This authentic tavern has puppet figures lining the walls as a nod to its theater days and an inviting outdoor courtyard.
• Moeder Lambic – With two locations in the city, Moeder Lambic is a fantastic place to enjoy expertly curated lambics and other Belgian brews. The Fontainas location is more centrally located, making it a convenient stop for visitors. A great place to try both modern styles and traditional classics.
• A La Mort Subite – A historic Brussels beer hall known for its traditional gueuze and kriek. Also a great location to try some traditional Belgian food offerings.
• Brussels Beer Project – A modern craft brewery pushing the boundaries of Belgian beer styles. A nice change of pace if you are looking to try some new styles.

Ghent: Medieval Charm and Unique Beer Bars

Ghent is a picturesque city blending medieval architecture with a lively cultural scene. Its historic center is dominated by the impressive Gravensteen Castle, a well-preserved medieval fortress. St. Bavo’s Cathedral is home to the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece, a masterpiece of Renaissance art. The city’s canals and charming streets make it a joy to explore between beer stops.

Make sure to visit:

• Dulle Griet – Order their famous Max beer, but be ready to trade your shoe as a deposit for the oversized glass! This popular spot fills up fast so be prepared to wait for a spot and be on the lookout for people leaving their table.
• Trollekelder – A quirky bar known for its extensive selection of Belgian beers. This pub, located in a 15th century building, is fun to explore with beer signs and advertisements lining the walls.
• Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant – A legendary beer bar with a fantastic riverside location, offering an impressive selection of local and international brews.
• Gruut Brewery – A local brewery making beer with herbs instead of hops, reviving a medieval brewing tradition. Very unique beer and an interesting stop for beer geeks!
• Artevelde Brewery – A small yet historic brewery offering classic Belgian styles. This location offers a more modern interior and is a great spot to grab food.

Bruges: A Fairytale Setting with Fantastic Beer

No Belgium beer trip is complete without a stop in Bruges. Often called the “Venice of the North,” Bruges is known for its canals, medieval buildings, and romantic atmosphere. The historic Market Square, with its stunning Belfry Tower, offers breathtaking city views. Take a boat tour through the canals or stroll through the charming streets of this UNESCO-listed city. Bruges also boasts excellent museums, churches, and an endless supply of picturesque buildings.

Here are the best beer stops in Bruges:

• ‘T Brugs Beertje – A charming beer cafe offering an impressive list of Belgian brews. Anything you want can be found here including a wide variety of vintage offerings!
• De Garre – Famous for its house tripel, this hidden gem is a must-visit…. if you can find it! The nondescript door hidden in a tight alley can be easy to miss so make sure to reference our map.
• De Halve Maan Brewery – Take a brewery tour and taste their iconic Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik beers. Their on-site restaurant is also a great spot to grab food. Visit the brewery website for more information on tours and tickets.
• 2BE (Beer Wall) – Enjoy a drink with a view of a massive beer bottle display along with a picturesque canal-side terrace.
• Le Trappiste – A cozy underground bar specializing in Trappist and abbey beers. Enjoying beers in a  800 year old medieval cellar with stone arches is quite the experience!
• Duvelorium – A stylish bar offering Duvel varieties and other premium Belgian beers. Their balcony is a great place to take in views of the Market Square. Located on top of Historium Bruges, you are able to access the bar without paying to enter the museum.
• Bourgogne des Flandres – A small but historic brewery producing a variety of traditional styles. Visitors can tour the brewery and enjoy tastings in their scenic courtyard.
• Bruges Beer Experience – A museum with an excellent tasting room to explore different styles. Note that you can simply walk up to the tasting room without paying for the museum.

Bonus Stop: Rodenbach Brewery Tour

Add on to your Belgium beer trip with a short journey to Roeselare to visit Rodenbach Brewery, famous for its foeder-aged red ales. Roeselare is quick 30 minute train ride from Bruges and a nice town to explore and grab lunch at. The brewery tour takes you through the aging cellars, and you can sample their iconic Rodenbach Grand Cru straight from the source. The recently revamped brewery tour (along with a remodeled visitor center) is well done and very reasonably priced! More information and tickets can be found on the brewery website.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Beer in Belgium

• Ordering Beer – With the extensive beer lists, choosing what beer to order can sometimes be overwhelming. When in doubt, ask the bartender for a recommendation based on your preferences. Some of the noted locations also offering tasting flights. We found that there were so many brands we had never seen before so it’s fun to explore and try something new!
• Tipping Customs – Service charge is included in the price, but rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated. If paying by credit card, you must note the rounded up amount ahead of time, there is not an option to enter a tip once the card is scanned.
• Beer Prices – Belgian beer is relatively affordable compared to other European destinations, with most high-quality brews costing between €3-5. If you’re looking to splurge on a vintage bottle or some high quality lambic you’ll be paying more, but it’s well worth it!
• Beer & Cheese Pairing – Many bars offer cheese pairings, often using cheeses produced in abbeys or local farms to complement the flavors of Belgian ales.

A beer trip to Belgium is a dream experience for any beer lover. With historic breweries, world-class bars, and a deep-rooted beer culture, you’ll discover unforgettable flavors and experiences in every city. Cheers to your Belgian beer adventure! Check out our International Travel posts for more trip inspiration.