What’s So Special About Bruges and Belgian Beer?

Belgium is said to be the home of some of the best beers in Europe, and many beer lovers not only from Europe but from all around the world flock to Belgian cities like Brussels and Bruges, to try their own unique and delicious creations. But, what makes Bruges so special and what makes Belgian beers so distinctive and sought-after? Let’s find out!

About Bruges

A Medieval Charm

Bruges is a city in the northwest of Belgium, and is widely considered one of the most attractive cities in all of Belgium. Well preserved from its medieval past, the city’s old town and cobblestone streets give it an old-world charm that is simply irresistible to many travelers; beautiful gabled houses have colorful facades, and a stunning/architectural perfection that is extremely photogenic. The city is situated near the coast and is home to an abundance of nature, making it the perfect place to simply get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The Venice of the North

The city of Bruges is sometimes referred to as “The Venice of the North” due to its many canals that pass through the city center. In fact, Bruges can be divided into two parts – “t’Zand” and “t’Stad”, or “the town” and “the village” respectively – with most of the city’s sights situated in “t’Stad.” As far as historical sites go, there is an abundance to admire in Bruges, including a collection of churches, such as the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady) which houses Michelangelo’s world-famous marble sculpture The Madonna and Child. The city also possesses an array of museums as well, such as the St-Janshuis windmill and the Groeningemuseum, whose permanent collection houses works by Flemish masters such as Jan Van Eyck.

Fascinating Festivals

Another thing that makes Bruges special is its various public festivals throughout the year. Every July, Bruges hosts the Jul Brugge Festival to celebrate its anniversary, while in August the city plays host to the amazing Ghent Festival – an 11-day celebration of world music with international acts from around the globe. Not to be missed is Bruges’ biggest festival, the City Music Festival, which brings thousands of people to the streets of Bruges for two days in August for purely live music performances. The chocolate festival (Choco-Laté) also takes place in April, offering visitors a chance to indulge in some of Belgium’s finest chocolates.

Belgian Beer

Why Is Belgian Beer Different?

The history of Belgian beer stretches all the way back to AD 800 and has been a defining part of Belgian culture ever since. The thing that makes Belgian beer different from other beer styles around Europe is its range of ingredients – barley malt and hops certainly feature as do varieties of yeast too. But, as well as that, a range of herbs, spices, fruits and sugars are also incorporated, making each beer unique and offering flavor profiles that cannot be found elsewhere. The Belgian beer tradition is one that almost singularly gives rise to creative brewing techniques and styles ensuring that there will always be something new to try.

Another thing that is special about Belgian beers is their strength: in fact, over 50 percent of all beers brewed in Belgium are over 8 percent alcohol (ABV). This is up compared to other European countries where most beers are brewed at 5 percent or lower. This means that Belgian beers tend to have a relatively high alcohol content which provides an intense flavor experience for beer connoisseurs.

Types Of Belgian Beer You Should Try

1. Witbier: A style known for its pale yellow or golden color and a very slight bitterness. Usually brewed with wheat malt, coriander, orange peel and yeast.

2. Saison: Farmhouse ales characterized by their rustic flavor, saisons are often brewed with spices and herbal ingredients as well as wheat malt and yeast.

3. Trappist Beers: Beers brewed by Trappist monks tend to have stronger flavor profiles than other Belgin beers. Many consider them to be some of the best beers in all of Europe.

4. Lambic: Fruity, tart beers brewed using spontaneous fermentation which gives them their unique acidic flavor profile. This style can be found in a variety of fruity flavors such as raspberry or cherry.

5. Gueuze: A type of Lambic beer made by blending lambic beers of different ages – usually aged for one to three years – to give its characteristic sour taste.

6. Flanders Red Ale: A sour ale characterized by its reddish-brown color and tart flavor. These beers are often aged in oak barrels to give them a complicated flavor profile.

7. Huell Melon: A style of Belgian ale characterized by its fruity aroma of white melon – thanks to being brewed with Huell melon hops – which gives it a distinctive taste that is at once sweet, earthy and spicy.

As you can see there is certainly an abundance of Belgian beers for everyone to enjoy! If you would like to fully appreciate these amazing Belgian beverages then why not join a Bruges: Belgian Beer Tour, hosted by experts who can provide valuable insight into all things Belgian beer-related!

Conclusion

Bruges truly is one of a kind when it comes to European cities; with its old-world charm, cobblestone streets and abundance of cultural sights it is no wonder why this medieval city attracts so many visitors every year! But perhaps more than anything else it is Belgian beer that helps to give Bruges its unique atmosphere thanks to its variety of brewing techniques and styles that result in extremely flavorful creations! So why not explore Bruges to its fullest by joining one of the many beer tours available and sample some truly exceptional beers!