Belgian Beer styles

Coast © Piet De Kersgieter
Coast © Piet De Kersgieter
© Piet De Kersgieter

Taste the tradition of Flanders

Belgian beer is all about diversity. Our beer culture is deeply rooted in centuries-old traditions: families, farmers and monks have been brewing beer since the Middle Ages. Nowadays, every glass offers an abundance of styles: from refreshing to intensely bitter or sweet. With so much variety, there is always a Belgian beer style that is a perfect match for you. Plan a visit to one of the many breweries in Flanders, where passion brings beer to life.
Hand holding a chalice of Westmalle Trappist beer, being poured from a bottle. The background features a colorful stained glass window.

Trappist and Abbey beers

Trappist beer is the result of a rich monastic tradition. The beer is still brewed within the mythical abbey walls by monks of the Trappist order. Belgium boasts five of them: Westmalle, Westvleteren, Chimay, Orval and Rochefort. The abbeys themselves are often not open to the public, but you can taste the beers during a walk or bike ride in the beautiful surroundings. You can also sample abbey beers, known for their characteristic fruity and spicy notes. These are inspired by centuries-old recipes and often brewed in collaboration with abbeys. Since the turn of the century, the monks have even revived their centuries-old brewing traditions within the abbey walls in the Norbertine abbeys of Averbode, Grimbergen and Heverlee.

Wheat beer

A classic to savour on a terrace on a sunny day. Wheat beer, unfiltered and cloudy, is enhanced with coriander and orange peel. The result? A refreshing, slightly spicy thirst-quencher. Perfect after a bike ride or combine a glass of wheat beer with a city walk for the ultimate Belgian beer experience. Must-tries: Hoegaarden, Vedett Extra White, St. Bernardus Wit and Blanche De Bruges.

Close-up of a Hoegaarden beer bottle next to a glass filled with frothy golden beer. The label reads "witbier-bière blanche," conveying a refreshing tone.
©projectNADA

Strong blond beer

With their golden hues and generous head, strong blonde beers are a feast for the eyes and he taste buds. Sweet malty notes blend together with a subtly bitter aftertaste. Visit a brewery in the broader surroundings of our Flemish cities to discover how this liquid gold is brewed. Sample iconic beers such as Duvel (Duvel Moortgat Brewery in Puurs), Omer (Van Steenberge Brewery in Ertvelde, near Ghent), Hapkin (De Hoorn Brewery in Kobbegem, near Brussels) and Satan Gold (Het Anker Brewery in Mechelen). These beers are celebrated around the world for their Belgian craftsmanship.

A glass of golden beer with "Duvel" logo on a table, surrounded by assorted cheese cubes. The setting is bright and inviting, suggesting a tasting event.
©Maarten De Bouw photography GCV

Spéciale belge, our amber-coloured pride

Amber-coloured, smooth and malty: Spéciale belge, created in 1905 as the Belgian answer to German lagers and English ales, is a style that is typically Belgian. Think of Bolleke De Koninck or Palm, beers that you definitely have to try on a guided beer walk in Antwerp.

A glass of amber-colored Bolleke De Koninck beer with a foamy top sits on a restaurant table. Nearby, there's a wine glass, silverware, and a person using a phone. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed.

Saison

Originally brewed as a pick-me-up for farm workers, these days Saison is appreciated by beer enthusiasts around the world. Dry, spicy and refreshing. Ideal for warm summer days. Try classics such as Saison Dupont or the saison beer from Brasserie de la Senne on the sunny terrace of a typical beer café in Brussels.

Saison beer

Brut, the champagne of beers

Bière brut or Brut des Flandres is a party in a bottle. With the elegance of champagne and fruity finesse, this is the ideal drink for a festive beer tasting. DeuS, Malheur Brut, and Grimbergen Magnum Opus Brut are absolute musts.

A bottle of Grimbergen Magnum Opus Brut Beer and a matching glass with beer sit on a bar. The background is warmly lit, creating a cozy ambiance.

Lambic and Geuze

Southwest of Brussels, in the rolling countryside of the Pajottenland and the Senne Valley, beer is crafted through spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts from the air. The result? Lambic and old geuze – sour, complex and sparkling. Acclaimed worldwide by connoisseurs. Definitely visit the iconic breweries Cantillon (Brussels), 3 Fonteinen (Beersel) or Boon (Lembeek) and experience this unique process for yourself on the Flanders' Finest cycle tour 'Lambic-Geuze Route' through 'Lambic Land', where you will discover all there is to know about this style of beer.

A bottle of Oude Geuze Boon beer and a glass with a frothy head sit on a wooden table outdoors, surrounded by lush green foliage, conveying a fresh, inviting atmosphere.

Fruit beers

From classic old kriek to refreshing varieties with raspberry, peach or strawberry: fruit beers from breweries such as Lindemans, Timmermans and Lambiek Fabriek (all of which can be visited in the area southwest of Brussels) bring colour and delight to the glass. Ideal for tasting during a summer bike ride in the Pajottenland and the Senne Valley.

A bottle and glass of Liefmans beer with frothy red liquid sit on a bar. Nearby, a wooden plate with cheese and cured meats. Cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Flemish sour ales: heritage on tap

Classics from West and East Flanders are the Flemish red-brown beers, a mix of young and matured beer, with a perfect balance between sweet and sour. Complex, fresh and uniquely Flemish. Discover Rodenbach, Liefmans, 't Verzet and Vander Ghinste and combine them with a local brasserie for the ultimate taste experience.

A tall glass of dark red beer with a creamy foam head is in focus. The branding "Rodenbach" is visible. Blurred glasses are in the background.

Other beer styles with a Belgian twist

Belgian brewers also adopted foreign styles, but often added their own touch. For example, Pils (Stella Artois, Cristal, Primus), IPA (Troubadour Magma, Duvel Tripel Hop, XX Bitter) and Stout (Gulden Draak Imperial Stout, Stouterik, Oesterstout).

Four hands holding different colored beer glasses clink together in celebration. Bright sunlight highlights the various amber and golden hues.
©O. Van de Kerckhove

Discover all the Belgian beer styles

Whether you prefer refreshing wheat beers, robust tripels or surprising fruit beers, Belgian beer culture offers endless variety. Plan your beer experience in Flanders:

  • Book a beer tasting during a city walk with a passionate guide in cities such as Brussels, Leuven, Mechelen, Antwerp, Ghent or Bruges.
  • Follow one of the many beer-related walking or cycling routes in Flanders.
    We'll help you get started: The Flanders' Finest Dieric Bouts Route introduces you to the Stella Artois Brewery in Leuven, the Braxatoirum Parcensis Abbey Brewery (Park Abbey) and the traditional farm brewery Hof ten Doormaal in the green surroundings of this university city. On the Lambic-Geuze cycling route, you will learn all there is to know about these unique beer styles in the area around Brussels. Or hike through the Pajottenland and discover authentic breweries and cosy cafés on the Wildegisten Walk.
  • Visit one of the many breweries throughout Flanders and discover the craftsmanship of passionate brewers on a guided tour.
    Check the opening times on the breweries' websites and easily book your visit or guided tour.
  • Discover new beers in authentic beer cafés.
  • Learn more about beer culture in one of the beer museums, such as Bruges Beer Experience in Bruges and Belgian Beer World in Brussels.
  • Enjoy unrivalled beer gastronomy, or savour classic Flemish dishes prepared with beer.
  • Take a look at a real beer festival.
    Check this calendar for upcoming beer events in Flanders and Brussels.

Every glass tells a story. Time to start your own Belgian beer adventure in Flanders!

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©RCA Bourse Beurs

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Brewery Westmalle - Antwerp 06 © www.milo-profi.be
A man is working in the Westmalle Brewery in Antwerp.
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Discover Belgium's deep-rooted beer culture: hop fields, unique breweries and traditional cafés. Taste tradition and innovation in Flanders.