Belgium
1
Cities
8
Breweries
36
Beers
Cities in Belgium
About Belgium's Beer Scene
Belgium, despite its modest size, stands among the world's most significant brewing nations, recognized by UNESCO for its beer culture as Intangible Cultural Heritage. With over 300 active breweries producing more than 1,500 different beers, Belgium offers unparalleled diversity, from sour lambics spontaneously fermented in the Senne Valley to powerful Trappist ales brewed by monks in medieval abbeys.
Brewing History
Belgian brewing traditions trace back to medieval monasteries where monks brewed beer as a nutritious, safe alternative to water. The country's brewing diversity flourished because Belgium lacked the purity laws that standardized brewing elsewhere in Europe, allowing brewers creative freedom to experiment with ingredients and techniques. After near extinction during World War I, Belgian brewing experienced a renaissance in the 20th century, with traditional styles revived and celebrated as national treasures.
Signature Beer Styles
Belgium's beer repertoire is remarkably diverse. Trappist ales—brewed within monastery walls by or under monk supervision—include the renowned products of Westvleteren, Chimay, and Orval. Abbey beers emulate this tradition outside monastery walls. Lambics and gueuzes undergo spontaneous fermentation from wild yeasts native to the Brussels region, developing complex, tart flavors. Witbier (white beer) offers refreshing wheat-based refreshment with orange peel and coriander. Strong golden ales like Duvel and dark Belgian quads showcase the country's mastery of high-alcohol brewing with remarkable drinkability.
Brewing Traditions
Belgian brewing traditions celebrate experimentation within established frameworks. Lambic brewers still cool wort in open copper vessels called coolships, inviting wild yeasts to inoculate their beer—a practice unchanged for centuries. The bottle-conditioning tradition, where beer referments in the bottle, creates natural carbonation and allows beers to age and develop complexity over years. Each Belgian beer traditionally has its own branded glass, designed to enhance that specific beer's aromatics and presentation.
Beer Culture
Beer permeates Belgian culture from casual cafés to Michelin-starred restaurants. The country's beer cafés (sometimes called beer temples) offer hundreds of selections, each served in its proper glass at the correct temperature. Beer pairing with cuisine is taken seriously, with certain beers traditionally accompanying specific dishes—carbonnade flamande (beef stew) cooked with Flemish brown ale, mussels served with witbier. Belgian beer festivals and competitions draw international audiences, while local brewing traditions remain vibrant in villages across Flanders and Wallonia.