Experience

Flanders continues post-pandemic tourism revival with the help of its beers

Posted by Timothy on

Belgium may be small in size, but it is unquestionably big in beers. With more than 3,000 unique brews, the country’s reputation as a world leader in beer culture is secure, and Flanders is increasingly turning that heritage into a tourism driver.

As part of the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery strategy, Flanders received around €2 billion from the European Commission’s recovery fund, of which €18.5 million was allocated by Visit Flanders to support tourism projects. Four key areas were identified: beer – later broadened to include wider culinary experiences – along with nature, cycling and art.

Beer has proved to be a natural ambassador. By the end of 2025, 12 Flemish breweries will open new visitor centres to showcase their craft. These projects, financed with €3 million from the recovery fund, aim to attract both professionals and enthusiasts by offering tasting facilities, restaurants, workshops and behind-the-scenes tours of production sites. Some of the selected breweries specialise in artisanal geuze around Brussels, while others are spread across Flanders, reflecting the diversity of Belgian beer culture.

Urgency

The urgency of economic recovery meant the money had to be spent quickly, but Visit Flanders has made clear that promotion will not stop in 2025. 

The region already boasts more than ten beer festivals throughout the year, and initiatives are under way to strengthen international awareness of Flemish breweries. 

The timing is significant: 2026 will mark the tenth anniversary of UNESCO’s recognition of Belgian beer culture as Intangible Cultural Heritage, honouring not just the quality and variety of Belgian beers but also the café culture, the role of beer in gastronomy, centuries of craftsmanship and ongoing innovation.

Antwerp

That heritage is alive in the Flemish art cities, each with its own proud beer traditions. Antwerp has long been synonymous with the ‘bolleke‘, the amber-coloured speciality of De Koninck brewery. 

An interactive brewery tour tells its story, while the city’s legendary pub Kulminator, once crowned best pub in the world by ratebeer.com, continues to draw beer pilgrims with its 600-strong collection. 

Seefbier, revived in 2011 after disappearing for centuries, offers a taste of Antwerp’s forgotten brewing past, while Brewers’ Kitchen combines gastronomy with beer expertise.

Ghent

Ghent, by contrast, brings together tradition and youthful energy. Its classic beer institutions include De Dulle Griet, with a choice of 500 brews, and Waterhuis aan de Bierkant, with 150. Yet the city is also home to innovative ventures such as Dok Brewing Company in Hal 16 and Stroom, a Belgian-American project blending brewing with art and sustainability. 

Ganzerik, with its convivial brunches, is the birthplace of Pony’s, a crisp and hoppy blonde. For visitors wanting a structured experience, Ghent Scenic Craft Beer Walks provide an introduction to the city’s beer landscape.

Mechelen

In Mechelen (Malines, Mechlin), the name Gouden Carolus is inseparable from the city’s identity. 

Het Anker, one of Belgium’s oldest breweries, produces the award-winning Gouden Carolus Classic alongside its siblings Tripel, Ambrio, Manneblusser and the prestigious Cuvée van de Keizer. The brewery also distils Gouden Carolus Single Malt whisky, while its brasserie and microbrewery Batteliek expand the tasting experience. Mechelen’s beer culture also lives in its pubs: De Hanekeef, dating back to 1886, remains a local institution.

Leuven

Leuven (Louvain), the birthplace of Stella Artois, demonstrates the international reach of Belgian beer. Brewing began here in 1708 with the Artois family and is now continued by AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer. 

Visitors can tour the brewery and sample Stella at its source, while smaller-scale alternatives such as Domus and De Vlier showcase Leuven’s commitment to craft brewing. 

The city also hosts the Leuven Innovation Beer Festival, which brings pioneering brewers together every May, and its Oude Markt, often called the longest bar in Europe, is a focal point for locals and tourists alike.

Brussels

Brussels is the cradle of lambic and gueuze, beers that have become symbols of Belgium’s brewing identity. Breweries such as Cantillon, Lindemans and Timmermans continue the tradition, with Cantillon doubling as the Brussels Museum of the Gueuze. 

Modern players like Brasserie de la Senne and the Brussels Beer Project highlight the capital’s embrace of contemporary styles, while pubs such as Moeder Lambic, with 400 beers, underline the city’s dedication to quality. 

The opening of Belgian Beer World in 2023 inside the renovated Brussels Stock Exchange added a new flagship for beer tourism. Just beyond the city, the pub In de Verzekering tegen de Grote Dorst in Lennik, open only on Sundays, has repeatedly been voted the world’s best beer bar.

Bruges

In Bruges, beer is part of the city’s fairy-tale charm. De Halve Maan, which produces Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik, became internationally known when it constructed an underground pipeline to transport beer across the city. 

Pubs such as ’t Brugs Beertje, with more than 300 beers, and Rose Red, with the world’s Trappist beers, are institutions in their own right. The Bruges Beer Experience offers a structured introduction to brewing processes and history, combining education with tasting.

Revival

Taken together, these initiatives illustrate how beer is not just a product but a cultural asset, linking Flanders’ economic revival with centuries-old tradition. 

From UNESCO recognition to pub culture, from international festivals to local breweries, Flemish beer continues to attract travellers who wish to savour history, heritage and innovation in a glass.

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