Brussels on Draught Thematic

brussels on draught thematic kit CAFÉS, COFFEE AND BEER IN BELGIUM, THE WORD “CAFÉ” HAS TWO MEANINGS: COFFEE, THE DRINK YOU ENJOY IN THE MORNING, AT HOME OR AT THE OFFICE, OR THE ESTABLISHMENT WHERE YOU ORDER ONE, KNOWN AS A… CAFÉ. ALTHOUGH BELGIANS ARE COFFEE DRINKERS, THEIR CAFÉS ARE KNOWN FIRST AND FOREMOST FOR SERVING DRAUGHT BEER AND, IN A RETURN TO THEIR ROOTS AND AUTHENTICITY, TRADITIONAL BEERS. BELGIANS LOVE THEIR BEER, DRINKING 80 LITRES OF THE BEVERAGE A YEAR.

TO SEE THE VARIETY AND WEALTH OF THIS HERITAGE, GO TO A SPECIALIST CAFÉ AND ASK THE CAFÉ PROPRIETOR TO ADVISE YOU. SOAK UP THE CHEERFUL ATMOSPHERE OF A CAFÉ ON THE GRAND-PLACE AND SHARE THE ENJOYMENT OF THIS SOCIABLE DRINK.

1. HISTORY OF BEER IN BRUSSELS 3 2. MUSEUMS 5 3. BREWERIES 7 4. EXPERIENCE BEER ! 9 5. A FEW BARS 11 6. GUIDED TOURS 16 7. HOTEL PACKAGES 19 8. SHOPPING 20 9. MISCELLANEOUS 21 10. USEFUL CONTACTS 22

WWW.VISIT.BRUSSELS 1. HISTORY OF BEER IN BRUSSELS

Contrary to popular belief, beer is women’s business and its origins date back to well before recorded history. Because, in those days, women were responsible for gathering while the men went out hunting. The women would boil wild grasses and grains into a substantial meal. Legend has it that, one day, they let their mixture cool in the open air, spontaneous fermentation took place and beer came into being. At that time, it was the wild yeasts coming from the surrounding air that ‘seeded’ the mixture and initiated alcoholic fermentation. For several millennia, brewers relied on this process to make their “liquid bread”.

Down through the centuries, beer remained an important part of people’s diets because it was seen as a healthy drink and staple food. Beer was the drink of the people, wine that of the nobility, although some noblemen, such as Charles V, were great fans of ice-cold beer. So it was to be found everywhere, although different methods of brewing were practised. In contrast to the civilisa- tions of Mesopotamia and Egypt, which worked with real breweries, Gauls made beer production a family concern. Brewing was generally done at home, following a recipe that was handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. Consumption was still kept for the family circle. So, there was very little marketing of this beverage then.

Over the course of the centuries that followed, beer-making got organised. Each village had its own public brewery. Monasteries also began to produce it to meet the needs of their own community.

With its commercialisation, beer began to be consumed in large quantities and became the subject of extensive marketing. For centuries the Brussels brewers’ guild (founded in 1365) assumed a position of importance. Brewers were usually powerful and wealthy. This is because our ancestors drank up to three times more beer than we do ... quite an achievement! In the 17th century, that consumption could be as much as 400 litres per person. But our ancestors were not alcoholics. In order to brew beer, it was necessary to boil water, which kills germs. That’s why, at that time, the people of Brussels used to prefer beer to water. Beer was better for health than unboiled water! Although, on weekdays, they often used to drink “dunnebier”, a “light” or low-alcohol beer, perhaps not as strong as our table beers.

Contrary to what people might think, Gueuze was not the typical beer in Brueghel’s time. Secondary fermentation in the bottle is a technique that wasn’t developed until as late as the 17th century. Prior to that, people used to drink flat beers, similar to British ales. These beers posed a problem because they were difficult to store and transport.

In those days, the sector was not organised into large production units but into a whole host of small breweries, known as “cam- men” in Flemish. Each inn had to purchase its supplies from one “cam” (old Flemish word for brewery) … food traceability as early as the Middle Ages!

Although the brewers were powerful, they nevertheless had to pay their taxes. Unfortunately for them, the tax on drinks was the highest. So, every trick in the book was used to avoid paying too much. They were so influential that they were even able to object to the most ambitious town-planning projects if they felt those projects weren’t in their interests.

3 Final proof of how important the breweries were for Brussels is the many street names that refer to them: rue des Brasseurs (brew- ers’ street), rue du Houblon (hop street) and rue de la Braie (wort street). What’s more, quite a few of them correspond to the names of inns on those streets. A good example is rue du Miroir, with the Auberge du Miroir (inn) on the corner of rue Haute.

The French Revolution had sweeping ramifications for the beer sector. Not only did this fractious period in history see the guilds abolished (1792-1794) in favour of private initiative, a lot of monasteries were dissolved to boot. In the early eighteenth century, Brussels numbered no less than 120 artisanal breweries. By 1806 only 29 were left.

As the industrialisation of the beer sector more or less coincided with the popularity of bottom-fermented ales, it was the pils lagers more than any other types of beer that did a roaring trade for the breweries. In the Brussels area, high-flying pilses included the Wiel’s brewed by Wielemans-Ceuppens, the Elberg made by the Grande Brasserie de Koekelberg, the Primus concocted by the Brasserie Royal de Laeken, the Three Star produced by Leopold, the Vox at Brasserie de la Chasse Royal, the Perle 28 made by Caulier, and the Ekla pils distilled at Saint-Michel-Vandenheuvel brewery.

In spite of the fact that the Belgian brewers set out the full range of their wares at the 1958 World Exhibition held in Brussels that year, things started going downhill for the Belgian breweries. The rise in commodity prices, hefty labour costs, soaring taxes and excise duties … All of these factors contributed to the mergers of the 1960s and the brewery closures during the economic downturn of the 1970s. Between 1965 and 1973, the number of breweries fell by 30%. By the end of the 1970s, three quarters of the nation’s beer production was in the hands of just seven breweries.

Today, despite the disappearance of many breweries, Belgium is still recognised for its know-how. Today, we are seeing a great revival of interest in special beers and all things natural, traditional and hand-made. Lots of new small-scale artisanal enterprises are being put in place, in Flanders and Wallonia alike. Brussels, its capital, is proud of having several traditional breweries within its walls: Brasserie Cantillon, Brasserie de la Senne, En Stoemelings en the Brussels Beer Project.

GOOD TO KNOW Lambic beers are spontaneously fermented beers, which is the oldest and most primitive way to break down sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The lambic beers made in the Zenne Valley in Brussels and the Pajotten region that are used to distil Old Geuze, Old Kriek or Faro are the unique and last remaining examples. Lambic is the basic beer that is used to distil Geuze, Kriek or Faro. The production of Lambic is everything to do with the conditions that exist in the valley of the Zenne, the waterway that transects the Pajottenland and the territory of Brussels. The Brettanomyces lambicus and Brettanomyces bruxellensis that exist in the air in the Zenne Valley are partly responsible for the spontaneous fermentation. Today, Lambic largely continues to be brewed to make it into Geuze or Kriek. In Brussels, the Cantillon brewery in Anderlecht is the only real Brussels lambic brewery left. In the old days, ranking just below Lambic, Faro would be named in one and the same breath as one of the popular Brussels beers. Faro is a lambic beer with added candy sugar, which we know for a fact was imbibed in the sixteenth century, but very likely long before that time. Geuze too is a lambic beer: it is a mixture of young and old lambics that gets its secondary fermentation in the bottle. The geuze also gave rise to the noble profession of ‘geuze steken’ or the blending of gueze: geuzestekers or gueze blenders do not brew lambic themselves. Instead they source lambic or lambic wort from a variety of different brew- ers, combine these guezes into a blend entirely according to their own taste – which is referred to as “steken” – and leave the blend to ripen into their own geuze. Finally, lambic can also be distilled into fruit beers. To brew the traditional Old Kriek, the addition of 200 to 400 grams of sour cherries per litre of (young) lambic prompts the fermentation process. The cherries are left to mature for a few months in the cask with the sugars of the fruit fermenting into alcohol and carbon dioxide inside the lambic.

4 2. MUSEUMS

THE GUEUZE MUSEUM - CANTILLON BREWERY Come and discover a brewing tradition that’s unrivalled anywhere in the world, a Lambic brewery from 1900 still working, run by a family of master brewers who are proud of its traditions and products.

Mainly period equipment, casks of Lambic, Kriek and Framboises, small cellars where bottles of Gueuze, Kriek and Lambic Grand Cru patiently await their debut at the tables of appreciative consumers, brewing vats and boiling kettles made of copper, a granary and a large cooling tank with Brussels air flowing over it, filtering and bottling equipment, all will be revealed during your visit!

It will take place in the surroundings of one of the very last old-style breweries, in a setting unchanged for more than a century. You’ll have the very special opportunity to spend a while among the delicious smells of Lambic evaporating from the casks in which the Lambics mature for three long years.

The Van Roy - Cantillon family will give you a warm welcome and explain the mysteries behind the production of traditional Lambic.

Rue Gheude 56 1070 Brussels Tel. : +32 (0)2 521 49 28 [email protected] www.cantillon.be

SCHAERBEEK BEER MUSEUM In 1993, 11 enthusiastic volunteers set up the A.S.B.L. (non-profit association) of the Schaerbeek Beer Museum and became its administrators. The local authorities of Schaerbeek allowed them to use the old, disused technical section of the school on rue de la Ruche.

One founding member loaned his collection of around 300 bottles of Belgian beers to the museum. This was the starting point for the museum’s collection and, from then on, the search began among breweries, second-hand dealers and private individuals for machinery, tools, documents, advertising objects, bottles, glasses, etc.

On 26th March 1994, the museum was officially opened and ‘la Schaerbeekoise’ beer was presented to the public. Today, the museum has a collection of more than 1000 bottles of Belgian beers, many of them accompanied by the corresponding glass for serving them in. Old machinery which was used to make the beer, coopers’ tools, signs, trays, various advertising ob- jects, old documents and more, from breweries still in existence and those that have since vanished.

Avenue Louis Bertrand 33-35 1030 Schaerbeek Tel. : +32 (0)2 241 56 27 [email protected] http://users.skynet.be/museedelabiere/

5 BELGIAN BREWERS’ MUSEUM In the Museum of ‘Belgian Brewers’, you’ll find the rich tradition of Belgian beer. There, visitors can see all the utensils, the brewing and fermentation vats, the cauldrons and all the brewing equipment used in the 18th century. In the quaint ‘estaminet’ (small, old-style café-bar), memories from long ago are recalled: old tankards, antique porcelain and typical objects filling a period inn testify to what can undoubtedly be described as the “Belgian culture of beer”.

Over the years, Belgian brewers have always adapted to changes in technology. The age-old art of brewing, the constant invest- ment in new scientific and technical methods and the endeavour to maintain the natural character of the beer are the guiding principles of the brewing industry.

Visitors will have the opportunity to grasp, at a glance, all of the modern techniques used to make beer, the raw materials (water, malt, hops, yeast), the present-day malting industry, the brewing room where the information technology is in perfect harmony with the brewer’s own skills, the new filtering and cooling techniques, the most efficient bottling lines and the cylindro-conical lagering and -fer mentation vats. On the computers provided, they will also be able to look up fascinating facts about the exports carried out by Belgian breweries and malt-houses, the wide variety of beers, , the exact difference between top, bottom and spontaneous fermentation, how many bottles are brought onto the market compared to casks, etc.

After looking around, visitors will have the opportunity to soak up the traditional, warm and welcoming atmosphere so closely connect- ed with beer, as they savour a complimentary Belgian beer from the brewers, served up in the ‘estaminet’.

Grand-Place 10 1000 Brussels Tel. : + 32 (0)2 511 49 87 [email protected] www.belgianbrewers.be

6 3. BREWERIES TODAY, BRUSSELS HAS SEVERAL BREWERIES, WHICH ARE RANKED AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD. THEY TAKE PARTICULAR CARE TO WORK ON FLAVOURS WHICH HAVE ALMOST DISAPPEARED FROM THE BREWING LANDSCAPE: ACIDITY AND BITTERNESS.

BRASSERIE CANTILLON The Cantillon brewery is a family-run brewery where they brew LAMBIC, GUEUZE, FARO and KRIEK and where nothing has changed since 1900, the founding year of the Brasserie Cantillon. The Van Roy-Cantillon family welcomes you and invites you to explore a fabulous heritage. Beers, tools, machinery and production process are all genuine antiques. Copper vats, barrels some- times more than a hundred years old and ramparts of bottles create the perfect setting for your visit.

You may be lucky enough to see some brewing going on or watch the bottling process. You could see the barrels being cleaned or, in summer, watch them prepare fruit beers. And you’re bound to make the most of the chance to taste an authentic traditional Gueuze-Lambic with its distinctive acidity. Also, if you want to find out a bit more about Kriek and Framboise, just ask the Master- Brewer because it’s his favourite subject.

Mon > Sat 10:00 > 17:00, except Wednesday Rue Gheude 56 1070 Brussels Tel. : +32 (0)2 521 49 28 [email protected] www.cantillon.be

BRASSERIE DE LA SENNE The beers of the Brasserie de la Senne are produced by two young brewers from Brussels, Yvan De Baets and Bernard Leboucq, who are, first and foremost, two beer fanatics. They operate in a small artisan brewery and make it a point of honour to produce tra- ditional beers, unfiltered, unpasteurised and free from any additives, using only first-class natural raw materials. With their com- plex flavour and distinctive personality, these beers are full of character. Their bitterness appeals to beer-lovers. They re-ferment in the bottle or cask, which means their flavour is allowed to evolve and develop. The names of their beers evoke their immoderate love for Brussels: Zinnebir, Brusseleir, Stouterik, Season Meyboom, Brussels Calling; their offbeat vision of Belgium is never far away, with Taras Boulba and Jambe-de-Bois.

Visits for groups of at least 15 people, by appointment only. Chaussée de Gand 565 1080 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)2 465 07 51 [email protected] www.brasseriedelasenne.be

BRUSSELS BEER PROJECT This young Brussels company offers atypical beers created in participation with a community of passionate beer lovers. Brus- sels Beer Project creates nearly 30 new beers per year in its experimental brewery in the city center. Every year, the community chooses the best of them that BBP then brews continuously. Its first beer, the Delta IPA, has been chosen by the community and is now found in more than 200 Brussels outlets and nearly 20 countries.

Thu, Fri and Sat 14:00 > 22:00 Rue Antoine Dansaert 188 1000 Brussels [email protected] www.beerproject.be

7 EN STOEMELINGS Nestled in the Marolles the brewery En Stoemelings brews several beers 100% craft and local. In 2015 Samuel Languy and Denis Van Elewyck joined forces to start a pico brewery. Indeed, their fully non-automated production stands at 600 bottles per week! The entire process of filling, bottling, storing, purchasing, selling and cleaning is done by hand. The fact they’re firmly rooted in Brussels is important: the distribution remains mostly local with a focus on selling in the brewery and availability at some beer shops in Brussels. Another very Brussels element is their name and the names of their beers: Curieuse Neuse, Geele Tram, Chique Madam…

Tue > Sat 11 :00 > 18 :00 Rue du miroir 1 1000 Brussels Tel. : +32 (0)489 49 59 24 [email protected] http://enstoemelings.be

NO SCIENCE Maxime Dumay and Manuel Mengoni started together No Science, a Brussels micro-brewery that produces beers with character. The brewery is located in Green Bizz Brussels and the beers are sold at specialized shops in the capital. Production (from 250 to 500 liters per year) has several crus, low in alcohol and sugars but rich in flavor. The basic products are natural and traditional, mainly derived from aromatic hops. The beers they propose are: Noisy pale ale, blonde/amber, very aromatic; the Heavy Porter, a dark English type, bitter and malted; the Artic William, copper coloured with delicate fruit flavour and foam; and the Pyscho Cas- coe, a summer beer, very light and aromatic.

Wed > Fri 13:00 > 17:00 Rue Dieudonné Lefèvre 37 1020 Brussels Tel. : +32 (0)484 32 66 82 [email protected] noscience.be

BEERSTORMING Beerstorming is your invitation to imagine, elaborate and brew your own beer. It is a place where ideas, opinions and desires on new brewing projects are exchanged. Under the guidance of an expert brewer, you will be introduced to the more intricate details of brewing in order to create your own unique beer. Each trimester, the 5 recipes with the most votes are submitted to a jury, that will elect the beer that will be mass produced for sold on the market.

Wed > Fri 13:00 > 18:00, Sat 14:00 > 20:00 Chaussée d’Alsemberg 75 1060 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)472 89 74 01 [email protected] www.beerstorming.net

8 4. EXPERIENCE BEER!

BRUSSELS NEVER MISSES AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONOUR BEER!

CANTILLON: PUBLIC BREW Twice a year From 6.30 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, the master-brewer, his family and friends invite you to the big traditional brewing day. They welcome you along to experience the different stages in the traditional production of Lambic and Gueuze.

On the programme: • from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Brewing process • from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Filtration and adding the hops • from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Boiling the wort • around 3.30 p.m. Pumping the wort into the cooling vat • from 7 a.m. to 12 noon Cleaning the old-style casks

Guided tour every 1/2 hour from 7 a.m. onwards.

CANTILLON: ZWANZE DAY In September of each year, Cantillon stages its Zwanze Day, a day on which 35 cafés across the globe (America, Finland, Italy, Denmark, Japan, etc.) serve a special, unique and once-only lambic beer.

Brasserie Cantillon Rue Gheude 56 1070 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)2 521 49 28 [email protected] www.cantillon.be

BELGIAN BEER WEEKEND First weekend of September In the days when Brussels did its own thing, every village around the city had its own brewery and, although there aren’t as many of them today, the masters of the brewer’s oar still form a respected brotherhood. And to celebrate this brewing tradition with the pomp and ceremony worthy of the occasion, the lagers, the white beers, the amber ones, the fruity ones and the strong beers, all these daughters of the hop parade on the Grand-Place for a weekend of (preferably sensible) enjoyment.

Grand-Place 1000 Brussels www.belgianbrewers.be

BRUSSELS BEER CHALLENGE Every year beginning of November The aim of the Brussels Beer Challenge is to promote the beer sector in a core market and a market of connoisseurs. International experts will come together to give their objective, impartial and professional opinion on the beers entered in the competition. During the tasting, all the beers will be divided into homogeneous categories based on their origin, typicity and style. The beers awarded prizes at the Brussels Beer Challenge will benefit from international media coverage and recognition. These distinctions will be a powerful marketing tool and open up new prospects for development.

After Liège (2013), Leuven (2014) and Antwerpen (2015) the Brussels Beer Challenge took place in Brussels again. www.brusselsbeerchallenge.com

9 BRUSSELS BEER PROJECT: GOOD BEER FEAST 20 > 21/10/2017 Small Breweries - Big Beers ! Second edition of this festival in 2017. The festival aims to bring together fifteen craft breweries that share the values of the Brussels Beer Project in a festive and epicurean environment. There will be music in the tastings! www.beerproject.be

VINI BIRRE RIBELLI End of November This exhibition will be exclusively craft, sustainable, organic and with mostly natural products. Bringing together in a single loca- tion the beer and wine’s alternative worlds and food that is good, clean and fair is definitively unique in Belgium. Vini Birre Ribelli will also be the first exhibition in Belgium labelled as “zero waste”. www.vinibirreribelli.net

BREWSPOT : LEARN HOW TO BREW YOUR OWN BEER BrewSpot offers four different courses to the participants : the Discovery Course is a brewing course for beginners (1 day), the BrewMaster Course is for more advanced homebrewers (2 days), the Team-Building Sessions allow you to brew a beer with your company during a challenging business game and finally BrewSpot also offers Beer-Tasting Evenings where the objective is to learn how beer is made by tasting some very specific beers illustrating the influence of each ingredient on the final taste of the beer! [email protected] www.brewspot.com

L’ÉCHAPPÉE BIÈRE

Beer tasting Treat your taste buds to a perfect pair of Belgium’s gourmet specialties with a 2-hour chocolate and beer tasting tour in Brussels. Nibble artisan chocolate at a famous sweetshop, and taste several kinds of Belgian beer while learning about the traditional brew- ing process. Along the way, gain insight into the city’s medieval history and modern culture on a relaxed walking tour.

+33 (0)6.73.18.60.32 www.echappee-biere.com

BEERSTORMING Beerstorming invites you to exchang ideas and opinions on new brewing projects in the setting of a small brewery. Under the guid- ance of an expert brewer, you will be introduced to the more intricate details of brewing so you can create your own beer.

Tel.: +32 (0)472 89 74 01 www.beerstorming.net

10 5. A FEW BARS AND RESTAURANTS

THE REGION IS SPOILED FOR CHOICE WHEN IT COMES TO PLACES WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY A GREAT BEER WHILE SOAKING UP THE CHARACTERISTIC ATMOSPHERE OF BRUSSELS, ENJOY A BIT OF LIVE MUSIC OR JUST AN UNPRETENTIOUS MEAL. BELOW ARE A FEW CAREFULLY SELECTED BARS AND RESTAURANTS. You’ll find more places to go at www.visit.brussels

FLEUR EN PAPIER DORÉ MOEDER LAMBIC À LA MORT SUBITE This literary café with its poetry-lined Standing in the shadow of the town hall of A quaint institution for anyone who loves walls is a listed building that was once Saint-Gilles, a little local café yet one of authentic Belgian beers and assorted the surrealists’ local. However, this is also the best-stocked beer bars in the country. large open sandwiches. where you can get the ‘Het Goudblomme- Rue de Savoie 68 - 1060 Brussels Rue Montagne-aux-Herbes-Potagères 7 ke in Papier’ praline, made from Belgian www.moederlambic.com - 1000 Brussels quality chocolate, filled with a Girardin T +32 (0)2 544 16 99 www.alamortsubite.com T +32 (0)2 513 13 18 cherry, an artisanal regional beer from MOEDER LAMBIC FONTAINAS the Pajottenland made from Lambic. Only One of the widest ranges of draught beers L’ESPÉRANCE available at the café itself. in the country, a paradise for beer lovers. A genuine Art Deco bistro beneath what Rue des Alexiens 55 - 1000 Brussels Place Fontainas 8 - 1000 Brussels was, once upon a time, a brothel. www.lafleurenpapierdore.be T +32 (0)2 503 60 68 Rue du Finistère 1-3 – 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 503 03 94 www.hotel-esperance.com LE POECHENELLEKELDER T +32 (0)2 219 10 28 LA PORTE NOIRE A ‘cellar for dolls’ the size of a pocket With plenty of typical beers and various handkerchief but that collects lovely big LE CORBEAU live music offerings, this vaulted space old puppets. Home cooking but prepared with care with its Celtic and medieval ambience Rue du Chêne 5 - 1000 Brussels and giant glasses of beer appearing in a was once the kitchen of the Alexian T +32 (0)2 511 92 62 cheerfully dishevelled ambience. Brothers’ monastery. Rue Saint-Michel 18 - 1000 Brussels Rue des Alexiens 67 - 1000 Brussels www.lecorbeau.be www.laportenoire.be T +32 (0)2 217 05 06 T +32 (0)2 511 78 37

11 DELIRIUM A L’IMAIGE NOSTRE-DAME Quite simply, one of the widest assort- Tucked away at the end of a secret cul- AU VIEUX SPIJTIGEN DUIVEL ments of beers in the world … de-sac, an old-fashioned ‘estaminet’ for Based in a great big building as ancient Impasse de la Fidélité 4a - 1000 Brussels escaping to another age for a while. as the hills, an old café-restaurant full of www.deliriumcafe.be Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 8 wooden benches, displaying the old sign T +32 (0)2 514 44 34 1000 Brussels of a ‘spitting devil’. Chaussée d’Alsemberg 621 - 1180 Brussels LITTLE DELIRIUM AU BON VIEUX TEMPS www.spijtigenduivel.com On a little thoroughfare nicknamed ‘la Another ‘estaminet’ which, tucked away T +32 (0)2 344 34 55 rue des Pittas’, a bar where you’ll find an at the far end of a cul-de-sac, dates from incredible collection of gins and beers. the days when Brussels used to speak LA LUNETTE Rue du Marché-aux-Fromages 7-9 the old ‘Brusseleer’ dialect. Unique occasion to drink a « Lunette », 1000 Brussels Impasse Saint-Nicolas 4 - 1000 Brussels a glass of one liter that can be filled with T +32 (0)2 511 95 50 T +32 (0)2 217 26 26 a drink of your choice, on a beautiful ter- race on place de La Monnaie. CAFÉ THEATER TOONE BEER MANIA Place de la Monnaie 3 – 1000 Brussels A puppet theatre and ‘estaminet’, a mon- Aptly named, both little shop and bar, T +32 (0)2 218 03 78 ument of Brussels folklore. where you can drink or buy some 400 dif- Petite rue des Bouchers 21 - 1000 Brussels ferent beers from Belgium and elsewhere DARINGMAN www.toone.be … The entertainingly retro Au Daringman T +32 (0)2 513 54 86 Chaussée de Wavre 174-176 bar is hidden between the fashion quar- ter and the canal. The prestigious Eng- A LA BÉCASSE 1040 Brussels lish daily “The Guardian” has nominated An old-fashioned ‘estaminet’ where www.beermania.be T +32 (0)2 512 17 88 the bar “the best belgian beer bar”. Lambic is still served from a jug and Rue de Flandre 7 – 1000 Brussels where you can savour typical specialities CANTILLON T +32 (0)2 512 43 23 of Brussels. World famous for its mastery of second- Rue Tabora 11 - 1000 Brussels ary fermentations in the bottle, one of the LE LABOUREUR www.alabecasse.com last traditional breweries in the region. Part old Brussels-style ‘troquet’, part T +32 (0)2 511 00 06 Tours and tastings. trendy place to be, a stamcafé renowned Rue Gheude 56 – 1070 Brussels for its ‘raw’ mussels. www.cantillon.be Rue de Flandre 108 - 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 521 49 28 T +32 (0)2 512 13 82

12 L’ARCHIDUC HOUTSIPLOU A cocktail bar with Art Deco lines, re- More Eet than Café, this is a hamburger BONNEFOOI nowned for its live jazz performances heaven. Parties, concerts and DJ sets, that’s and its night owls. Place Rouppe 9 - 1000 Brussels what’s on the menu at this music café. Rue A. Dansaert 6 - 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 511 38 16 Rue des Pierres 8 - 1000 Brussels www.archiduc.net CHEZ RICHARD T +32 (0)2 512 06 52 LE CIRIO Meeting-place of the local antique deal- CAFÉ CENTRAL Part tavern, part tea room, a cosy place ers, a Parisian bistro feel with Belgian DJ evenings, exhibitions, live music, per- with an old-fashioned charm. specialities to be savoured on the most formances … More than a café, a place Rue de la Bourse 18 - 1000 Brussels characteristically Brussels-style of town full of life! T +32 (0)2 512 13 95 squares. Rue Borgval 14 - 1000 Brussels MONK Rue des Minimes 2 - 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 512 14 06 www.lecafecentral.com With several trappist beers on draught T +32 (0)2 513 73 08 and the possibility to taste the Faro, a LA PORTEUSE D’EAU PAON ROYAL lambic based beer typical for Brussels, Set up in an Art Nouveau building, a tav- Set up on a square in the shade of large Monk is worth a visit. ern for an introduction to every Belgian poplar trees, one of the pleasantest café Rue Sainte-Catherine 42, speciality. terraces in the city centre. 1000 Bruxelles Avenue Jean Volders 48a - 1060 Brus- Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 6 www.monk.be sels 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 537 66 46 T +32 (0)2 513 08 68 AU SOLEIL BRASSERIE VERSCHUEREN MAPPA MUNDO Standing on the corner of Quartier Saint- For its decor, it ambience at all hours and British pub concept revisited Bel- Jacques, in reference to the famous route its mixed and motley crew of customers. gian-style with a cosmopolitan touch… to Santiago de Compostela, a stamcafé Parvis de Saint-Gilles 11 - 1060 Brussels Endowed with a large terrace and stud- that radiates warmth. T +32 (0)2 539 40 68 Rue du Marché-au-Charbon 86 ded with windows looking out over Halles 1000 Bruxelles Saint-Géry, a Tower of Babel opening out T +32 (0)2 511 76 00 in a very friendly way. Rue du Pont de la Carpe 2 - 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 514 35 55

CAFÉ DES HALLES Summer terrace and winter garden, a bar billeted in an old indoor market of Brus- sels. Place Saint-Géry 1 - 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 289 26 60

13 BRASSERIE DE L’UNION CAFÉ L’AMÈRE À BOIRE THE BLACK SHEEP A working-class café, landmark of Union Ixelles has a rich brewing history. The Has an enormous selection of Belgian supporters, that football club that expe- brewers left long ago but for some time and International craft beers. rienced its hour of glory in the thirties now there has been L’Amère à Boire, a Chaussée de Boondael 8 - 1050 Brussels when, out of 60 matches in a row, it didn’t great name for a beer café refers to hop, www.facebook.com/TheBlackSheep- lose a single game. the aromatic component that gives many Brussels Parvis de Saint-Gilles 55 - 1060 Brussels beers their deliciously bitter taste. T. +32 (0)2 644 38 03 T +32 (0)2 538 15 79 Rue du Belvédère 8 -1050 Bruxelles DYNAMO LA MAISON DU PEUPLE T +32 (0) 488 46 57 86 18 beers on tap and a selection of exclu- Situated on the ground floor of the old sive craft beers. Maison du Peuple of Saint-Gilles, a cul- L’AUBIÈRGISTE Some 80-85 well-chosen beers offer a Chaussée d’Alsemberg 130 – 1060 Brus- tural eetcafé where exhibitions and live sels panorama of Belgian brewing. music events are held and a very nice www.dynamobar.be Rue de l’Aqueduc 63 – 1060 Brussels terrace opens out onto the Parvis. www.laubieregiste.com T. +32 (0)2 539 15 67 Parvis de Saint-Gilles 39 - 1060 Brussels T +32 (0)2 850 09 08 T. +32 (0) 475 56 67 05

BREWDOG CAFÉ BELGA A craft beer revolution’s great success Standing at the foot of the former radio story. broadcasting house, a huge young bras- Putterie 20 – 1000 Brussels serie with a self-service bar. www.brewdog.be Place E. Flagey 18 - 1050 Brussels T +32 (0)2 640 35 08

14 SPECIALIZED RESTAURANTS

’T SPINNEKOPKE NUETNIGENOUGH RESTOBIÈRES Sample all Belgian specialities and other The beer list holds around 50 beers, in- In the heart of the Marolles Alain Fayt preparations involving beer in a historic cluding a number of Belgian gems, made runs his own cuisine that revolves en- 18th century property. by brewers who continue to brew their tirely around beer dishes: Waterzooi à Place du Jardin aux Fleurs 1 ales the traditional way. With the landlord la Blanche, veal chop à la Rodenbach, 1000 Brussels himself a keen Geuze lover, this establish- cherry zabaglione, et cetera. www.spinnekopke.be ment serves the best Lambic beers from Rue des Renards 9 - 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 511 86 95 around the Pajottenland and Brussels. www.restobieres.eu Rue du Lombard 25 – 1000 Brussels T +32 (0)2 511 55 83 LES BRIGITTINES www.nuetnigenough.be A friendly decor and a head chef who is LE BIERCIRCUS famed for his refined Belgo-French cuisine. BELGA QUEEN Draught beers made by expert brewers, Place de la Chapelle 5 - 1000 Brussels A contemporary brasserie housed in a vintage bottles and traditional cooking www.lesbrigittines.com former bank building constructed in the with beer, a temple for hop lovers. T +32 (0)2 512 69 57 19th century. Rue de l’Enseignement 57 – 1000 Brussels Rue du Fossé aux Loups 32 - 1000 Brus- www.bier-circus.be sels T +32 (0)2 218 00 34 www.belgaqueen.be T + 32 (0)2 217 21 87

15 6. GUIDED TOURS

Join a tour (individual):

Belgian beer tasting tour, by Bravo Discovery Every Saturday. In English. Every Saturday. In French. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In Spanish. +32 (0) 495 32 03 62| [email protected] |www.bravodiscovery.com

Brussels Beer & Brewery Tour, by Groovy Brussels Every Saturday. In English. +32 (0) 484 89 89 36| [email protected] |www.brusselsbeertours.com

Brussels’ Beer Tasting Tour, by Global Enterprises Wednesday to Sunday. In English. € 60. +32 (0) 479 31 90 03| [email protected] |www.globalenterprises.be

Brussels is definitely worth a Gueuze…, by Museum Cantillon Download the map & itinerary. www.cantillon.be

The beer & chocolate tour, by Brussels Journey Wednesday to Sunday. In English. € 70. Tel.: +32 (0) 499 25 93 06 |[email protected] |www.thebrusselsjourney.com

BBD Brussels with french fries, by Belgium Beer Days (BBD) Every Thursday. In English. € 33. +32 (0) 472 60 47 46| [email protected] |www.belgiumbeerdays.com

16 Guided tours for groups (private tour):

Beer pleasures, by Discover-B Dutch - English – French +32 (0)485 02 54 23 |[email protected] | www.discover-b.be

Beerwalk or Culinary Beerwalk, by Vizit Dutch - English - French - German - Spanish +32 (0)9 233 76 89 | [email protected] | www.vizit.be

Brussels beers, from gueuze to pils, by La Fonderie English - French - German +32 (0)2 410 99 50 | [email protected] | www.lafonderie.be

Brussels beer tasting tour, by Global Enterprises English - French – German + 32 (0)479 31 90 03 |[email protected] |www.globalenterprises.be

Brussels breweries: the great comeback, by Brussels Chatterguides Dutch - English - French - German +32 (0)2 673 18 35 | [email protected]|www.brusselschatterguides.be

Beers & breweries in Brussels by bike, by Pro Velo Dutch - English - French - German - Portuguese - Spanish +32 (0)2 517 17 65 | [email protected] |www.provelo.org/tour

Brussels seen through its taverns, by Brussels Chatterguides Dutch - English - French - German - Spanish +32 (0)2 673 18 35 | [email protected]|www.brusselschatterguides.be

Cheers! Beers in Brussels, by Guides Brussels Belgium (GBB) Dutch - English - French - German - Greek - Hebrew - Italian - Japanese - Polish - Portuguese - Russian - Spanish +32 (0)477 02 02 30 | [email protected] |www.guidesbrussels.be

From taverns to Brussels pubs, by Itinéraires SH Chinese - Dutch - English - French - German - Italian - Japanese - Portuguese - Russian - Spanish +32 (0)2 541 03 77 | [email protected] | www.itineraires.be

Guided walk, Belgian beers & food, by Sterkmans Events Chinese - Dutch - English - French - German - Italian - Japanese - Russian - Spanish +32 (0)474 12 16 21 |[email protected] |www.sterkmansevents.eu

17 Gruüten Dest, by Ket-Toeren Dutch - English – French +32 (0)473 76 93 93| [email protected] |www.ket-toeren.be

Ruta de la cerveza Bruselas, by Buendia Tours Spanish [email protected]| www.buendiatours.com

Wise beer stories in old pubs, by Q-rius Dutch - English - French +32 (0)16 25 09 12 | [email protected] | www.q-rius.be

7. HOTEL PACKAGES

HUSA PRESIDENT PARK: GOLDEN BEER AWARDS PACKAGE Stay at Hotel Husa President Park in Brussels and take advantage of a great beer package which includes 6 bottles of savoury abbey belgian beer (blonde, brune and triple) - a privileged tasting at an exceptional place… Cheers ! The package includes: • One night in a 4-star room • Full American buffet breakfast • Belgian beer pack • Welcome drink (beer, wine or soft) • Late check-out (3pm) • Free fitness • Free city map

Boulevard Albert II 44 1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0) 203 20 20 [email protected] www.husapresidentpark.com

18 8. SHOPPING

BIERTEMPEL MALTING POT LE BARBOTEUR - BIÈROTHÈQUE The Biertempel opened in 1996, when it This specialist beer shop retails anywhere Le Barboteur is not only a craft beer sold nearly 200 kinds of beer. Today, with between 150 and 200 artisanal beers from shop, but also a tasting shop with special years of success behind it, it serves more home and abroad that are not generally nights with guest brewers, private tast- than 600 kinds of them in all sizes and found down the local supermarket. ing sessions… and much more! made by all production methods. This shop also sells numerous related Rue Scarron 50 Avenue Louis Bertrand 23 1030 Brussels products. 1050 Brussels Tel.: + 32 (0)2 646 79 66 Tel. : +32 (0)470 83 21 72 [email protected] www.facebook.com/lebarboteurbiero- Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 56b theque 1000 Brussels www.maltingpot.be Tel.: +32 (0)2 502 19 06 www.biertempel.be 250 BEERS BELGIAN BEER TRA- LES FLEURS DU MALT DITION Located in the heart of Wolu- we-Saint-Lambert, this beer store offers BEER MANIA Beer shop quite literally a stone’s throw not only a wide range of carefully select- A true place of pilgrimage for beer, Beer away from the Grand Place. ed Belgian beers but some foreign beers Mania sells more than 400 types of Bel- Rue au Beurre 32 as well. You also get the chance to learn gian beer. 1000 Brussels how to taste our delicious beer. Theme Chaussée de Wavre 174-176 MALT ATTACKS nights, tastings and brewing courses are regularly organized. 1050 Brussels The shelves feature many bottles from Tel. : +32 (0)2 512 17 88 great craft breweries, both Belgian and Avenue du Roi Chevalier 45 [email protected] international (US, British, Danish, Dutch, www.beermania.be 1200 Brussels French, German, Czech,...)... which were Tel.: +32 (0)479 41 48 10 until now hard to get hold of in Brussels. BEER PLANET Malt Attacks is not just a bottle shop and Beer Planet is offering the largest selec- has home brewing equipment and sup- tion of Belgian beers (600) from literally plies available for you. every corner of Belgium. Avenue Jean Volders 18 Rue de la Fourche 45 1060 Brussels 1000 Brussels Tel. : +32 (0)471 66 10 69 Tel.: +32 (0) 484 95 53 50 www.facebook.com/maltattacks [email protected] www.beerplanet.eu

DÉLICES ET CAPRICES At his high-quality beer shop, Swiss Pierre Zuber stocks around 300 different beers, which are available to be sampled on site.

Rue des Bouchers 68 1000 Brussels Tel.: +32 (0)2 512 14 51 www.the-belgian-beer-tasting-shop.be

19 9. MISCELLANEOUS

DE LAMBIEK: THE VISITOR CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL BEERS

‘The Lambic’ Visitors Center immerses visitors in the tastes, smell, textures, sounds and coulours of Lambic beer! The Center is the ideal starting point for a visit to the Lambic beer breweries in the Pajottenland and Zenne Valley.

Gemeenveldstraat 1 1652 Alsemberg Tel. : +32 (0)2 359 16 36/37 wed. & thu. 10.30am till 16.30pm fr. & sa. 11am till 6pm Groups on reservation www.delambiek.be

20 CONTACTS

VISIT.BRUSSELS Rue Royale 2-4 Koningsstraat 1000 Brussels Tel : + 32 (0) 2 513 89 40 [email protected] www.visit.brussels

PRESS : Martha Meeze [email protected] T +32 (0)2 549 50 93 Pierre Massart [email protected] T +32 (0)2 548 04 45 Gary Divito [email protected] T +32 (0)2 548 04 46 Gaetan Peffer [email protected] T +32 (0)2 549 53 78

CULTURE & CITY LIFE : Tineke De Waele [email protected]

MORE INFORMATION ON : www.visit.brussels/beer

ONLINE PICTURE LIBRARY: WWW.VISIT.BRUSSELS/PICTURES

©visit.brussels-2017 © PHOTOS: visit.brussels|M.Vanhulst|E.Danhier|M.Zunini|L.Viatour