The Ultimate Guide to the Brussels Beer Tasting Experience – Everything You Need To Know

If you’re a beer aficionado looking for the best way to sample some of the diverse and delicious Belgian beers, then a beer tasting experience in Brussels should be at the top of your list. With plenty of interesting beers and microbreweries dotted all over the city, you can be sure that a beer tasting in Brussels will give you an unforgettable experience. In this ultimate guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about the Brussels beer tasting experience, from what kinds of beers and breweries you’ll find on your journey to tips on where to stay and more.

What Kinds of Beers Will You Find During Your Beer Tasting Experience in Brussels?

As you’d expect, Belgian beers come in different styles and flavors and have been brewed for centuries. During your beer tasting experience in Brussels, you’ll find the very best of the country’s selection of beers. Some of the most popular and widespread styles include:

Lambic

Lambic beers are among the oldest styles of Belgian beer and were initially brewed using wild yeasts. Traditional Lambic beers are bottled flat, with no carbonation added, meaning that as fermentation continues inside the bottle, a level of carbonation is naturally created. These beers often have a high ABV (alcohol by volume), usually 6-7%, and commonly feature tart, sour and even woody flavors from undergoing long fermentation periods.

Trappist

Trappist beers represent some of the finest examples of Belgian beer, being brewed at diverse and powerful monasteries across the country. The Trappist name is reserved especially for those beers brewed at areligious sites, although there are some other abbey-style beers available. Darker ales and Belgian dubbels are common Trappist offerings, which often feature some sweet malts balanced out by a rich bitterness.

Fruit Beer

If it’s something a bit sweeter that you’re after then you might like to opt for a Belgian fruit beer. There are a wide variety of flavors available, including cherries, raspberries, currants and more, plus also candy-infused styles like strawberry licorice. Fruit beers offer a refreshing finish to your beer tasting experience and can be particularly good when paired with certain foods.

Where Can You Find the Best Beer Tasting Experiences in Brussels?

You will find plenty of beer establishments in Brussels dedicated to giving you the best possible beer tasting experience. There is The beer Wall, located in the center of Brussels offering more than 40 different types of beer on tap every day. It’s a unique spot where visitors can enjoy Belgian beers in a homey atmosphere with an incredible selection of snacks with which to match them. There is also Moeder Lambic, a great place to get acquainted with Belgian beers as it specializes in specifically Lambic styles, as well as its own range of sours brewed on-site.

If you’d like to try a few different types of beer at once, then there are many bars dedicated to offering tasting boards. Try Moeder Lambic’s selection of five carefully chosen beers served on a wooden board – perfect if you’re spoiling yourself or taking someone special out to celebrate. The Fondation Folon has an extensive selection of beers from different regions as part of its Dissecting Wall design which is also an interactive beer installation at the same time!

For those wishing to stay in some more traditional local bars there is GAYA, which is one of the oldest pubs in Brussels and steeped in local history and tradition. This old school bar features a long menu of beers from Belgium as well as many from other countries nearby, giving you a broad range to go through both old favorites and newer recipes from around Europe.

Finally for those looking for beer festivals there are lots to choose from, such as the Belgian Beer Weekend, a yearly event celebrating Belgian culture and achievements in brewing. Here ,you can line up with your glass or mug in hand and sample various brews from all over the country under one roof while enjoying live music and other fun activities!

When Should You Visit Brussels For the Beer Tasting Experience?

The best time to visit Brussels for your beer tasting experience is during one of its many beer festivals, which are usually held during summer months – June to August – or during December when “Christmas Markets’ take over city squares throughout Belgium (and also Germany). Not all beer festivals require tickets, some can be just visited during their scheduled hours while others may require pre-booking or special events such as brewery tours or seating reservations, depending on the festival or event.

What Else Can You Expect During Your Trip?

In addition to the numerous breweries and bars visits during your trip, there are plenty more activities that await around Brussels that make it worth a visit all year round. Of course sampling some tasty Belgian chocolates is always on the list of things to do -who could resist? Then there is an abundance of art galleries, historical sites and cultural attractions to explore during your time in Brussels, including Notre Dame du Sablon church who houses Fela’s work or Magritte museum located near downtown streets. Finally, shoulf you wish for more adventure why not try kayaking along L’Yser River banks or take a barge ride around Lake Genval?

Are There Any Tips And Tricks You Should Know About Beer Tasting?

Absolutely! When it comes to trying and enjoying different beers it’s important to understand basic beer tasting etiquette, so here are few tips that will help you make the most of your experience in Brussels:

• Know Your Tastes: Knowing your tastes before sampling any beers is important so that you can identify what you enjoy quickly and what even may repell you.
• Do Your Research: Researching brewing styles and particular types of beer ahead of time will give you an edge when tasting the beers throughout your trip.
• Pace Yourself: Pace yourself when sampling new beers especially if they are high-percentage ABV; it’s important to appreciate each flavor and learn which brews pair well together.
• Take Notes: Taking notes when sampling different types will help you appreciate them even further when looking back on your experience.
• Stay Hydrated: Maintain proper hydration throughout your trip by sipping plenty of water between each taster – this will help keep your taste buds sharp!
• Food Pairings: If available, take advantage of food pairings provided. This can not only provide flavor combinations you may never think to combine yourself but could also help lessen alcohol’s after-effects.

Final Thoughts on Beer Tasting Experience in Brussels

The Brussels beer tasting experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore some unique flavors with immense historical significance attached to them. From visiting traditional pubs to attending festivals dedicated to Belgian crafting excellence, as well as numerous other activities – art galleries, historical sites for sightseeing – it’s hard to pick just one thing that piques your interest! So put yourself out there this summer season or any other time throughout the year and visit Brussels for an amazing beer-tasting experience!

If you are now ready to book your own beer tasting experience in Brussels then make sure to check out here.