No business trip to Brussels would be complete without sampling one of the country’s biggest exports: Belgian Beer. Belgium has a rich heritage in beer production, which dates back to the Roman times when it was first produced in local Abbeys by monks. There are now over 260 breweries in Belgium which produce around 700 different types of beer. There is a wide variety of Belgian beer recipes including pale ales, Trappist beers, amber ales, wheat beers, fruit beers, and stout. Brussels has a great Belgian beer scene with a whole host of quirky beers bars and beer experiences on offer. Read on to discover the 11 best craft beer bars and experiences in Brussels:
1. Moeder Lambic
Moeder Lambic has two popular craft beer bars in Brussels; the Original and Fontainas. Both are highly rated and offer a huge selection of Belgian beer, both on tap and bottled. The extensive beer menu is set out like a wine list with notes on flavours and extra details. The bars are spacious and modern and offer food as well as drinks. The friendly staff are knowledgeable and on hand to provide expert advice on the beers explaining the subtle flavours and brewing processes. Definitely a Belgian beer experience in Brussels not to miss.
Moeder Lambic Original - Rue de Savoie, 68 - 1060 Saint-Gilles
Moeder Lambic Fontainas - Place Fontainas 8, 1000 Brussels
2. Brasserie Cantillon
This traditional Belgian brewery and bar has been producing beer in the same way since 1900 when the Cantillon family began the business brewing Lambric, Gueuze, and Kriek beer. Brasserie Cantillon is located on Rue Gheude in the Anderlecht area of Brussels, and the brewery is also home to the Brussels Museum of the Gueuze which is a working museum offering informative tours. Here you can discover the historic processes involved in brewing these unique fermented ales. At the end of the tour, you’ll get to sample some of the beers produced and there is a bar on the second floor serving the full range in bottles.
Brrasserie Cantillom, Rue Gheude 56, Brussels 1070, Belgium
3. Hungry Mary’s Brer and Chocolate Tour
If you are struggling to choose between a Belgian beer tour in Brussels or a chocolate tour, then fear not - we have the perfect tour for you. Hungry Mary’s Beer and Chocolate Tour is a highly rated walking tour that combines some of Belgium’s best produce, allowing you to sample a range of chocolates and beers and take in some of Brussels stunning sights and you go. The tour starts by visiting a range of chocolate shops allowing you to sample some of Brussel’s finest sweet treats. Next you visit a collection of inviting bars and taverns around the Grand Place; here you will sample a variety of Belgian beers accompanied with a range of tempting snacks. During the tour you’ll also get to discover more historic sites in Brussels and some of the hidden gems off the usual tourist trail.
4. The Sister
The Sister specialises in offering organic food and drink in central Brussels. Located close to the Grand Place you will find a warm and inviting café environment. The venue stocks around 70 different Belgian beers, all organic and chemical free, and from a range of craft breweries in Belgium. The tasting trays are a popular choice allowing you to sample four different drafts. The Sister also offers a great menu of wholesome food including a range of gluten free and vegan options.
The Sister, Rue Chair et Pain n°3 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
5. Beerstorming
Beerstorming allows guests the unique experience of brewing their very own beer in a microbrewery. An experienced master brewer will be on hand to advise and guide through the different processes and flavours involved and you can then select the ingredients and tastes you want to include to create your own personalised brew. Beerstoming also offers private hire and team building events which could be perfect for a unique business trip activity in Brussels.
Beerstorming, Chaussée d'Alsembergsesteenweg 75, 1060 Brussels, Belgium
6. Museum of Belgian Brewers
Set on the Grand Place in a stunning guild house, this beer experience is worth a visit when on a business trip to Brussels. Once inside the Museum of Belgian Brewers you’ll find a traditional bar with a small exhibition room which showcases some of the machinery and artifacts used to produce Belgian beer over the years. Entry is around five Euros, and you get a small beer sample included.
Museum of Belgian Brewers, Brewers’ House, Grand’Place 10, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
7. Belgian Beer Tasting in Brussels
One way to fully immerse yourself in Belgian Beer culture and history is to go on a beer tasting tour. There is a whole host of different tours available in Brussels but one that is recommended time and time again is the Sandemans Beer Tasting Tour. This is a three-hour tour where you’ll be accompanied by a friendly guide and learn all about brewing different Belgian beers and what makes them so special. The tour visits a couple of authentic beer bars, and you’ll get to sample a range of traditional brews.
8. Delirium Monasterium Café
The ultimate beer venue: Delirium Café has over 2,000 beers from all over the world It even features in the Guinness book of world records for offering more different types of beers than anywhere else. Packed with beer memorabilia, this quirky bar is a popular spot so it can get busy in the evenings but that does add to the atmosphere. If you struggle to pick from the vast array of beers on the offer the friendly bar staff are on hand to assist.
Delirium Cafe, Impasse de la Fidelite 4 Getrouwheidsgang, Brussels 1000, Belgium
9. Brussels Beer Project
Opened in 2013 this modern brewery offers an alternative experience to some of the more traditional Breweries by showcasing Belgium’s contemporary craft beer scene. The Brussels Beer Project has a range of venues across Brussels, but all provide the same great range of Belgian craft beers as well as guest beers set in an industrial working brewery. They also offer a range of tours and tasting sessions which can be prebooked at the BBP Dansaert venue, and there are some great, usual flavours available to try.
Brussels Beer Project, 188, Antoine Dansaert, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
10. Poechenellekelder
This quaint tavern in central Brussels looks like a set from a fairy tale, filled with charming décor and old-world memorabilia. Poechenellekelder is located close to the Manneken Pis landmark it is the perfect pit stop when on a business trip in Brussels. There is a large selection of Belgian beer available and a tempting food menu too. The seats outside are the perfect setting to sit with a beer and watch the world go by along the bustling Rue du Chene.
Poechenellekelder, Rue du Chene 5 Bruxelles, Brussels 1000 Belgium
11. Beer Mania
A must visit for any beer enthusiast, Beer Mania is a shop packed like Aladdin’s cave with local beers. Not only can you peruse the shelves filled with Bagian beer, there is also a bar at the back where you can sample the delights. The welcoming staff can advise you the vast range of tipples and help you find the perfect beer based on your tastes. It is also the perfect place to pick up some beer souvenirs to take home.
Beer Mania, Chaussee de Wavre 174, Brussels 1050 Belgium
Belgium is one of the leading beer producers in the world with a huge range of beer styles and rich brewing heritage. No trip to Brussels would be complete without sampling at least one of these highly rated Belgian Beer bars and experiences. Brussels is packed with sights and attractions some of our favourites can be found in our blog Brussels: 12 Essential Attractions for Business Travellers. If you are planning a business trip to Belgium our range of serviced apartments in Brussels provide the perfect accommodation option for corporate travellers, some of our favourites can be found here: The 6 Best Serviced Apartments in Brussels for a Business Trip.
