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Beer and their brewers

Belgians have been avid brewers since the Middle Ages. Today there are more than 100 brewers in this country that still produce a variety of beers. From regular lager and raspberry beer to self-fermenting lambic, there is something for everyone. The centre of Brussels is home to beer museums, a brewery and plenty of beer cafés so you don't have to leave town for a good time.

Culinary

4 different types of beer

Fruity or bubbly?

Belgian beers are almost like wine. So many towns, so many beers. Most beer drinkers are familiar with lager and Oud Bruin (a sweeter brown ale). Hundreds of beers are brewed in Belgium, including Vlaams Rood (Flemish Red): although similar to a brown ale, it is brewed from reddish barley and ferments in oak barrels. This lends it both a sour and refreshing flavour. Witbier (white beer) is the most refreshing beer type, with a hint of lemon. Speaking of fruit, Kriek beer is made with cherries or raspberries. These give the beer a refreshing and sweet flavour, perfect to drink on an outside terrace or patio. Fancy a fruit beer? Then you should taste a lambic, a regional beer made without additional yeast. The fermentation process occurs spontaneously. You can also order a lambic without fruit. Young and old lambic beers are also mixed into Geuze beer. After years of fermenting in the bottle, the beer will have tiny bubbles, just like champagne. Self-fermenting beers will be celebrating their 1,000th anniversary soon and that is certainly worth a toast.

Old bottle filling machine

The history of the brewers

Cantillon is just a short walk from the Grote Markt. This is the last active beer brewer in the city. This brewery has been producing a huge variety of beers for over 100 years. In addition to admiring the copper cauldrons and the cellars with bottles, you can also sample beers to your heart’s content. Be sure to try their raspberry beer, a lambic that has fermented for 3 years. The Belgische Brouwers (Belgian Brewers) know everything about their concoction and have even set up a small museum (at the Grote Markt). The documentary that is shown at the museum brings the tools, the cauldron and the fermentation tubs to life. In the adjacent café, among the beer mugs and old-fashioned china, you can sample a variety of beers.

Arts & Culture

The Atomium, which has been a fixture of the Brussels skyline since it was constructed for the World’s Fair in 1958, was originally intended as a temporary building. The 9 gigantic stainless steel spheres together form an enormous iron crystal. After the World’s Fair, the Belgians had become so fond of the bizarre structure that it was never taken down. The Atomium has since come to symbolise Brussels, as the Eiffel Tower does Paris.

Arts & Culture

The top attraction in Brussels is the Grand Place, or Grote Markt. This centrally located square is renowned for its rich history. Surrounded by the City Hall, the ‘Broodhuis’ and numerous guildhalls, it is not surprising that UNESCO added the Grand Place to its list of World Heritage Sites in 1998.