Two festivals welcome beer enthusiasts in the centre of Brussels

More than fifty breweries will be setting up their tents at the Grand Place in Brussels this weekend for the 24th edition of the Belgian Beer Weekend, organised by the Belgian Brewers Federation. The Brussels Beer Project (BBP) brewery is during the same weekend organising its craft beer festival Wanderlust at Place du Vismet, also in the centre of the capital.

Every year, the Belgian Brewers Federation organises during the first weekend of September the Belgian Beer Weekend event to highlight the country’s beer heritage. The federation has over a hundred members, about fifty of which will showcase their beers at the Grand Place from Friday 6 September to Sunday 8 September.

The five famous Belgian Trappist breweries – Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren – will be present, but visitors will also be able to discover many smaller breweries. Brewmine Tap from Limburg, Glazen Toren from Aalst and Rulles from Luxembourg province are three examples of other participating breweries. Brussels will amongst others be represented by La Senne brewery.

The entrance to the event is free. After receiving a payment card at the entrance, visitors can choose from about 500 beers, most served in 15cl tasting glasses.

Craft beer festival

During the same weekend, the Brussels Beer Project (BBP) brewery is organising its own beer festival in the centre of Brussels. The Wanderlust event celebrates the work of craft breweries from across Europe at Place du Vismet, close to BBP’s brewery at Rue Antoine Dansaert. Fourteen craft breweries from eleven different countries will be present at the festival.

The BBP recently became a member of the Belgian Brewers Federation, and might also take part in the Belgian Beer Weekend in the future. The fact that Wanderlust is being held at the same time this month is just a coincidence, explained a manager at the brewery. ​ ​

The Belgian Beer Weekend is expected to attract about 60,000 visitors. The Wanderlust event expects to welcome about 3,000 beer enthusiasts.

^{#FlandersNewsService | The 2022 edition of the Belgian Beer Weekend festival in the centre of Brussels © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}