Going on a brewery, beer museum, or beer tour is an important part of exploring Brussels beer scene. Not only do you peek into how good beer is crafted, but you also soak in its rich history and culture. Sampling freshly brewed beer right where it’s made lets you explore different flavors while backing local businesses. Chatting with lively guides or brewers amps up your love for beer, and mingling with fellow fans adds to the fun.
In my blog post, I’ll cover brewery tours, the best beer-tasting tours, and a few museums for the full beer lovers guide to Brussels.
Brewery Tours
Brussels is home to several local breweries, ranging from historic venues to more modern craft breweries. While Brussels may not have as many breweries as some other Belgian cities like Bruges or Ghent, it still has a great beer scene.
Brewery tours can introduce you to new flavors, broadening your taste, and cool experiences like barrel tastings and beer pairings.
Cantillon Brewery – Brasserie Cantillon
Cantillon Brewery also known as Brasserie Cantillon is a charming brewery rich in the history of beer in Brussels. Cantillion is a traditional family-run brewery that offers an authentic experience. The guided tour is strongly recommended and can be done in English or French.
The guides are very knowledgeable, with lots of explanations for the method of making beer. If you don’t fancy the guided tour, you can do a self tour with tasting for €8 each.
At the end of the visit, there is also the option to taste a variety of beers, including a unique sour cherry variety (lambic, gueze, and a kriek). It is recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Brussels Beer Project Tour
Join a guided tour of Brussels Beer Project, an innovative craft brewery known for its experimental approach to brewing. Located in the heart of Brussels, this brewery offers tours that provide insights into their brewing techniques, unique beer recipes, and the story behind their mission to redefine Belgian beer culture.
You can also enjoy tasting their diverse range of craft beers during the tour, always a highlight!
Brasserie de la Senne Tour
Delve into the world of traditional brewing at Brasserie de la Senne, a small-scale brewery committed to producing high-quality, flavorful beers. During a guided tour of the brewery, you can learn about the brewing process, from selecting ingredients to bottling the final product.
The tour also includes tastings of Brasserie de la Senne’s signature beers, known for their bold flavors and traditional brewing methods.
Brussels Beer Tours
Beer Tasting Walking Tours
Explore Brussels’ vibrant beer scene on a guided beer tasting walking tour. These tours typically take you to some of the city’s best bars, pubs, and beer cafes, where you can sample a variety of Belgian beers, including Trappist ales, abbey beers, and seasonal brews.
Along the way, your knowledgeable local guide will share insights into Belgian beer culture, brewing traditions, and the history of beer in Brussels.
Belgian Beer Tasting in Brussels – By Sandemans new Europe – Brussels
Discover the joy of tasting famous Belgian beers on a guided tour in Brussels with Sandeman’s new Europe tour. With your guide’s help, you can learn to appreciate the unique flavors of Belgian beer and understand what sets it apart from others. You will explore lively local bars and taverns, soaking in the vibrant beer culture of the city.
This tour offers an immersive and unforgettable experience of Brussels’ beer scene, including sampling local beers and discovering the country’s brewing traditions and flavor profiles from your knowledgeable guide.
Marc’s Brussels Beer Tasting Tour – By Brussels Walking Tours
Discover why Belgium is famous for its beer on a tasting experience in Brussels. Visit historic taverns and cozy beer cafés to try both well-known and artisan Belgian beers, paired with tasty snacks and delicious chocolate. This beer tour is a great way to learn about Belgian beer and how to enjoy it like a local.
Sample a wide range of Belgian beer styles, from light and fruity to dark and strong, while snacking on cured meats, cheeses, and so much chocolate. Sit back in atmospheric taverns and expand your taste buds with delicious beers like Chimay Tripel, Orval, and Malheur Blonde, as well as lesser-known artisan brews.
Brussels Pub Crawl – Nightlife & Party Experience – By Brussels Pub Crawl
Join other travelers on a Brussels pub crawl to explore the city’s top pubs, clubs, and bars. Discover hidden gems and enjoy exclusive drink discounts in lots of local bars/pubs with knowledgeable and fun guides.
This is a great way for you to meet new people in the city, making it perfect for solo and budget travelers to experience Brussels nightlife. Meet with the group in the early evening for a great night full of laughter and local brews that could go on into the early hours!
Beer and Chocolate Tours
Combine two of Belgium’s most beloved local delicacies —beer and chocolate—on a guided beer and chocolate tasting tour. These tours often include visits to Belgian breweries, chocolate shops, and local cafes, where you can enjoy the classic beer and chocolate pairings while learning about why the flavors work and why these iconic Belgian treats are so loved.
Hungry Mary’s Famous Beer and Chocolate – tour guide – unique experience – By Hungry Mary – Food Tours
This tour is amazing and worth every penny! The chocolate and beer selections are fantastic, and the pubs you visit are very cozy. The tour lasts 4.5 hours, but there’s plenty of time to relax, especially during the beer tasting.
You will see many sights such as manneken pis, and enjoy plenty of chocolate and beer samples. The great guides will show you some awesome places to eat chocolate, fries, and drink beer while entertaining you with the city’s history and the rich beer culture of Belgium.
Save time researching and get expert tips on the top specialty chocolate shops and bars in Brussels. Enjoy 12 different finest Belgian chocolates and 6 beer samples, along with cheese and cured meats. End your tour with a visit to one of the oldest bars in Brussels to enjoy a Trappist beer.
Brussels Discovery Tour: Belgian food, chocolate, waffles, beer, sightseeing – By Brussels Walking Tour
Join a walking food tour to discover Brussels’ rich history and the best food. Led by a guide, you’ll visit landmarks such as the Grand Place and Royal Galleries while sampling Belgian favorites like waffles, mussels, chocolate, and beer.
It’s the perfect way to blend sightseeing with delicious bites. If you’re in Brussels for a short stay and want to experience the city’s specialties—chocolate, waffles, beer, and seafood—this tour is a must-do.
Museums
Belgian Brewers Museum
Located at the Grand Place in Brussels, this beer museum offers you a journey through the history, brewing techniques, and cultural significance of Belgian beer. It has exhibits on the brewing process, historical artifacts, and interactive displays, making it a fun and immersive experience for beer enthusiasts.
Belgian Beer World
At the Belgian Beer World explore the fascinating world of beer production, Belgium’s rich beer history, and learn about the different beer styles and brewing techniques in an engaging and interactive museum environment. enjoy the collection of Belgian beer bottles displayed throughout the museum.
As you near the end of your visit, you’ll be given personalized beer recommendations tailored to your taste preferences, these are also printed on a beer mat for you to take home. To finish, you will be taken up to the sky bar, where you can enjoy a selection of different beers while taking in stunning panoramic views of the cityscape.
Belgian Beer Recommendations for your trip to Brussels
Most Belgian beer bars will have an extensive beer menu, below are some recommended ones to try:
Trappist Ales:
Style: Trappist ales are brewed by Trappist monks within the walls of their monastery. They can range from light and refreshing to dark and complex, often featuring fruity, spicy, and malty flavors.
Recommendation: Try Westmalle Tripel, brewed by the Trappist monks of Westmalle Abbey. It’s a classic Belgian Tripel with a golden color, rich malty sweetness, and hints of spice. You can find Westmalle Tripel at many beer bars and specialty shops in Brussels.
Lambic Beers:
Style: Lambic beers are fermented using wild yeast and bacteria native to the Zenne Valley region of Belgium. They are often tart, funky, and complex, with flavors of sour fruit and earthy notes.
Recommendation: Sample Cantillon Gueuze, produced by Cantillon Brewery in Brussels. It’s a traditional blend of young and old lambics, resulting in a complex and refreshing sour beer with notes of green apple, citrus, and oak.
Cantillon Gueuze can be found at the brewery itself (so you might as well visit!) or at select Belgian beer bars in Brussels.
Abbey Beers:
Style: Abbey beers are brewed in the style of traditional Belgian monastic ales, inspired by the brewing traditions of Trappist monks. They can vary widely in flavor and strength, from light and easy-drinking to dark and richly complex.
Recommendation: Enjoy Rochefort 10, brewed by Brasserie de Rochefort. It’s a classic Belgian quadruple with a deep mahogany color, rich malty sweetness, and flavors of dark fruit, caramel, and spice. Rochefort 10 is available at many beer bars and specialty shops in Brussels.
Saison Beers:
Style: Saison beers originated as farmhouse ales brewed in the Belgian countryside. They are typically pale, dry, and highly carbonated, with fruity, spicy, and earthy flavors imparted by the use of Belgian yeast and hops.
Recommendation: Try Saison Dupont, produced by Brasserie Dupont. It’s a classic Belgian saison with a hazy golden hue, lively carbonation, and complex flavors of citrus, pepper, and earthy hops. Saison Dupont can be found at various beer bars and restaurants in Brussels.
Witbier:
Style: Witbier, also known as Belgian wheat beer, is brewed with a large proportion of wheat and often spiced with coriander and orange peel. It’s light-bodied, refreshing, and subtly fruity, with a cloudy appearance and a crisp, dry finish.
Recommendation: Sample Hoegaarden Witbier, brewed by Brouwerij Hoegaarden. It’s a classic Belgian Witbier with a hazy pale yellow color, zesty citrus aroma, and flavors of wheat, spice, and orange zest. Hoegaarden Witbier is widely available at bars, cafes, and supermarkets throughout Brussels.
Brussels is a top spot for any beer connoisseur, packed with pubs, bars, and fellow beer lovers. Whether you’re up for a beer-filled pub crawl, keen to learn brewery history, or just want to snack and taste, Brussels has it all. With its diverse beer scene and lively culture, Brussels is a must-visit for anyone who loves beer.
Make sure you check out Where to Eat in Brussels: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurants for the best restaurants in Brussels!