Belgian Beer Festivals 2012

Belgium’s Beer Festivals That Make Belgium The Beer Capital of the World:

Almost everyone knows about Munich’s Oktoberfest, the king of all beer festivals, however not a lot is publicized about the Belgian Beer Festivals. Yet Belgium has a tradition of beer making and produces 450 different varieties of beer, including some world famous brands.

Looking at their annual calendar of events, there’s a major event or beer festival almost every month of the year and below is just a sampling of them. 

(Note: Please check the beer festival websites closer to the event date as many of the dates are not yet confirmed and may change.)

Some Belgian Beer Festivals 2012

Brugs Bier Festival 2012 (Bruges)
From February 4 – 5, 2012:  After missing a festival last year, the organizers of the Brugs Bier Festival are counting down to the 5th Bruges Beer Festival in February 2012.  This festival features 278 beers from 67 breweries.  Apart from beer tasting, you can watch 8 top chefs cooking their gastronomic delights with beer, and you can taste the food as well.  The Beer Festival is at the Historic Rooms of the Belfry complex in the market at Bruges and operates at these times: Saturday from 12.00 till 22.00 – Sunday from 11.00 till 21.00.
Address:  Belfry, Grote Markt, Bruges
Website:  www.brugsbierfestival.be/
Bruges Hotels:  See here.

Special Beer Festival 2012 (Sohier)
February 24 – 26, 2012:  Those who like traditional beers will enjoy Sohier’s 3-day beer festival.  Set in the town of Wellin, Sohier has more than 130 different beers, many of which are from traditional production and also some “exotic” beers.
Address:  Rue Basse, 6920 Sohier (Wellin)
Website:   www.sohier-village.be/

Alvinne Craft Beer Festival 2012 (Moen)
March 3 – 4, 2012:  Enjoy 120 craft beers from 16 breweries at the 5th Alvinne Craft Beer Festival at the De Kasteelhoeve in Avelgem.
Address:  Brouwerij Alvinne, Vaartstraat 4a, Moen, West-Vlaanderen
Website:  www.alvinne.be/

Gambrinus Beer Truck Festival 2012 (Philippeville)
April 13 – 15, 2012:  This unique event which celebrates brewery trucks and drivers takes place in Philippeville. The name Gambrinus owes its origin to the Duke of Brabant, Jan Primus, who was known as “the King of Beer” and “King of the Road”. This museum is in former maltings-brewery-farm buildings of the 19th century and its contains some 20 vehicles and 75 themed displays.
Address:  2A Fontaine St. Pierre, B 5600 Romedenne, Philippeville
Website:  www.gambrinus-drivers-museum.be/

De Nacht van de Grote Dorst 2012 (Eizeringen)
April 27, 2012:  This one-evening event includes Lambic breweries and Gueuze blenders of the Payottenland and the Senne Valley.  The Night of the Large Thirst is a smallish event offering naturally fermented Lambic and Gueuze beers.
Address:  Frans Baetensstraat 45, 1750 Eizeringen
Website:  www.dorst.be/

The Zythos Beer Festival – ZBF 2012 ( Leuven)
April 28 – 29, 2012:  This great beer festival has moved from St-Niklaas to the very modern Brabanthal event centre in Leuven due to the need for a larger venue. The new Leuven venue is twice the size of the St-Niklaas site so there’s plenty of room for brewers and drinkers. There are approximately 200 beers from the 60 breweries featured. This year’s colour is wine red, the colour of the city of Leuven.  There is no entry fee and no pre-booking is required.
Address:  Brabanthal, Brabantlaan 1, 3001 Leuven
Website:  www.zbf.be/
Leuven Hotels: See here.

Beer Festival of Bouillon 2012 (Bouillon)
April 2012 (tbc):  Bouillon shopkeepers display all beer products, including local producers of specialty beers. There are tasting sessions.

Beer Festival of Mons 2012 (Mons)
From May 12 – 14, 2012: This is an annual event where the Party Service and tradesmen of the Grand-Place organize a weekend dedicated to beer. Visitors can taste traditional beers from the numerous stalls which includes the big brands that made Belgium famous as the World Center of Beer.
Address:  Grand-Place, 7000 Mons
Website:  www.mons.be/

Beer Passion Weekend, Groenplats Square 2012 (Antwerp)
June 29-30 and July 1, 2012:  The 13th Beer Passion Weekend will be held in Groenplats Square.  This summer festival offers over 200 beers and more beers are added each year.
Address:  Groenplaats, Antwerp
Website:  www.beerpassion.com/

Festival of International Special Beers 2012 (Stembert)
July 19 – 24, 2012:   Now in its 22nd year, there are more than 200 Belgian and foreign beers to discover here!
Address: Salle Chanteloup, rue des Champs 9, 4801 Stembert
Website: www.ftpl.be/

Meeting of the Breweries in Belgian 2012 (Luxembourg)
July 2012 (tbc) : The breweries of the province of Luxembourg gather in Hotton for beer tastings, explanation of different brewing methods, music, raffle for a basket with regional products, and street animations.

La Grande Choufferie 2012 (Wibrin)
August 10 – 12, 2012:  An event to celebrate the birth of the famous La Chouffe Belgian beer.
Address:  Brasserie d’Achouffe, Rue du Village 21, 6666 Wibrin
Website:  www.achouffe.be/

Festival of 100 Beers 2012 (Anvaing)
August 15 – 19, 2012:  This is like a “Beer Games” with bike races, card games, culminating in the tasting of 100 beers. There’s also a family day with barbeque, entertainment for children and music.
Address:  Petit château “Norbert”, Drève d’Anvaing, 7910 Anvaing
Website:  www.100bieres.beer-events.be/

Arch’en Biers 2012 (Archennes)
August 26, 2012:  Held in the town of Grez-Doiceau, the aim of this festival is to acquaint people with lesser-known beers in Walloon Brabant. Each year, the organizers endeavour to present new products to visitors and there will be numerous tasting throughout the weekend.
Address:  Maison Coullemont, Rue des Moulins 10, 1390 Archennes
Website:  www.archenbieres.be/

Brussels Beer Weekend 2012 (Brussels)
From August 30 – September 2, 2012:  Brussels’ Grand’Place – Grote Markt hosts a multitude of stands offering the opportunity to discover some of their best Belgian beers. Many small, medium-sized and large Belgian breweries will present their best selections of beers. Entrance is free and beer prices are very reasonable! Entertainment such as jazz bands, brass bands, activities for children will accompany your beer tasting.
Address:  Grand-Place, 1000 Bruxelles
Website:  www.weekenddelabiere.be/

Beer, Bread and Cheese Festival 2012 (Durbuy)
From September 16 – 17, 2012:  An all weekend event when you can go on a sampling trail and discover regional beers, breads and cheese.
Address:  Place aux Foires 25, 6940 Durbuy
Website:  durbuyinfo.be/

Hop Festival in Val de Sambre 2012 (Erquelinnes)
From September 7 – 9, 2012:  Great hops festivity in the town of Erquelinnes, with amazing entertainment throughout the weekend including music, guided tours of the brewery, hot-air balloon rides, and craft exhibitions.
Address:  Microbrasserie d’Erquelinnes, Rue de Maubeuge 197, 6560 Erquelinnes
Website:  www.bierenaturelle.be/

Belgian Beer Festival / Beer Collectors’ and Exchange Market 2012 (Lustin)
Oct 2, 2012: This beer event takes place in the town of Lustin (Profondeville) with displays of beer glasses, bottles, labels, coasters, old ads, clocks, mirrors, pints, jugs and other collector’s items. It claims to have available 850 varieties of beer (that’s what they’re claiming!), including meals cooked with beer.

BLES Bierhappening 2012 (Zottegem)
October 2012 (tbc):  This festival takes place from 2 p.m. on the second Saturday in October and features 23 brewers who will present more than 100 beers.  Beer connoisseurs will have to opportunity to meet the beer makers and discuss their favourite brews.  A special BLES beer is brewed for the festival each year and this is matched to a cheese that is also specially made.  The BLES Bierhappening location is within walking distance to the train station  and is wheelchair accessible.
Address:  Sporthal Bevegemse Vijvers, Bevegemsevijvers 1, Zottegem
Website:  www.bles.be/

Brussels Oktoberfest 2012 – Beer Festival (Etterbeek)
From October 2012(tbc):  Oktoberfest is in Brussels as well, which says a lot about Belgium’s reputation as a beer centre.  This festival follows the tradition of the famous München beer festival.  There’ll be a big marquee with 1500 seats and typical oom-pah-pah music. Beer lovers cannot miss this event!

Brassigaume – The International Festival of Small Breweries 2012 (Rulles)
From October 14 – 15, 2012:  This takes place in Rulles where you can visit different stands and meet 23 Master-Brewers and taste their products consisting of more than 80 different beers. Also, enjoy local cuisine made from Belgian beer.
Address:  Complexe du bois des Isles, Marbehan
Website:  www.brassigaume.be/

Karakterbier Festival 2012 (Poperinge)
October 2012 (tbc):  This festival of very special beers is an annual event in Poperinge and features 60 local Flemish beers, mainly brewed in small quantities, but with special aromas.

Weekend Der Belgische Bieren 2012 (Limburg)
November 9 – 11, 2012 (tbc):  This beer weekend by De Limburgse Biervrienden offers a careful selection of 140 Belgian beers to beer lovers.

Christmas Beer Festival 2011 (Stembert)
From November 26 – 30, 2011:  Enjoy 70 Belgian beers whilst you look around at the Christmas cribs of about 20 exhibitors.
Address:  Salle Chanteloup, rue des Champs 9, 4801 Stembert
Website:  www.ftpl.be/

OBER Kerstbierfestival Christmas Beer Festival 2011 (Essen)

December 17 – 18, 2011 – For two days visitors can taste more than 150 Belgian Christmas and winter beers in the small village of Essen, near the Dutch border.
Address:  Heuvelhal, Kapelstraat 7, B-2910 Essen
Website: www.kerstbierfestival.be/

Poperinge Hop and Beer Festival 2014 (Poperinge)
September 13-15, 2014:  (triennial festival – the last one was 2011). Poperinge is the charming hop metropolis in the southwest of West Flanders and has a triennial hop and beer festival.

So, if you love a good brew, Belgium may be a good stop for your next holiday itinerary.

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