Flanders

Beer Tasting & Brewery Tours

Ghent is in the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. Although it’s a popular tourist destination, it certainly retains its own, authentic, local atmosphere. It’s a city characterised by its local population, who will set the scene for your adventure. Ghent also houses a fascinating collection of ancient architecture. Absorb the city’s fascinating history as you admire and photograph its beautiful buildings and cityscapes. Then relax on the 30-minute canal cruise and enjoy even more new perspectives on the city’s breath-taking sights. The scenic canal route and beer tasting on board will certainly form an unforgettable part of your Ghent experience. In addition to its sights, Ghent will charm you with its astounding beers. This tour is perfect for beer lovers. On this Ghent beer tour you will taste 6 beers, each very different from the others - all served with a complimentary snack. You will also discover vibrant, hidden-away taverns. These are places you may miss if exploring on your own.

During the walk, you will explore the Market Square with the Town Hall and the beautiful Golden Age Guild Houses, the Cathedral of Our Lady with The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross by Rubens, Saint-Paul's Church, the harbor and the Jewish district. You can visit Rubens' former house during the lunch break. In the former home and studio of the master, you will embark on a fascinating journey back in time and into the world of this great baroque artist. There is a lot of modern architecture in Antwerp, for example, the new Palace of Justice by Richard Rogers, the Museum aan de Stroom by Neutelings & Riedijk and the new Port House by Zaha Hadid. Downtown you can reflect on all you have seen and learnt with a nice Belgian beer.

Meet your guide in the center of Ghent and set off on your beer tasting adventure. Learn more about Belgium’s proud brewing traditions from your passionate guide as you walk to your first stop and discover the secrets behind its wide range of beers. As you make your way to the first bar, stop by your guide's favorite chocolate shop to taste some artisanal sweet treats. Discover how to pair chocolate and beer using different flavor combinations.  Your first stop will be at one of the city’s most popular bars. Here, sample your first beer, swap thoughts on the flavor and notes and soak up the convivial spirit as you chat to your group.  From here, move on to another lively beer haunt, loved by and known only to the locals. You will visit bars that range from trendy and modern to medieval and traditional, so there will be a bar to satisfy every age group. Over the course of the tour, sample a blend of bigger brands and craftwork brews, tasting a gutsy mix of malty, hoppy, fruity, reddish, and herby beers to sour and triple varieties. Finally, head to your last stop. Here, sample some delicious Trappist and Lambic beers, perfectly matched with Belgian chocolate and other local delicacies. Finish your tour in central Ghent, where your guide will leave you after giving you some recommendations on where to continue bar-hopping.

It’s no coincidence that new beers frequently crop up for tasting here as Antwerp is, after all, the best beer destination – and beer is also gaining popularity worldwide. Beers like Bosbier, Korsakov, Gageleer, Kamil, ’t Lekske, IQ, Cabardouche, De Hopjutters, and Seefbier – to name a few – were recently launched in Antwerp. Yes, beer is trendy – and trending. In addition to all the new beers, attention is once again being paid to beers that have been undeservedly ignored. For example, Saison Dupont. Today everyone knows it, but 5 years ago it was unknown, even though the brewery has existed for four generations. The beer trend ensures that niche beers with a very distinct flavor are able to capture a place on the beer menu. More and more ultra-hoppy beers and heavy stouts are emerging. Until recently, stout was as good as dead. Now it’s back and in different variants, with alcohol percentages ranging from a mild four to a sturdy twelve percent. Your expert beer guide will further unravel the secrets of beer with you, by taking you on a beer and Genever gin tasting experience, paired with local snacks like Belgian cheeses, frites with mayonnaise, and other taste delights.

During the bus tour, you will see the Millionaires' Quarter, St. Peter's station, the nearby avenues with Art Nouveau and Art Déco exteriors, St. Peter's square with St. Peter's church and Vooruit, the building of the socialist trade union. Ghent is historical and contemporary at the same time and is crossed by a number of canals and by two rivers, Scheldt and Leie. In preparation for a universal exhibition which was organised in 1913, Ghent renovated many squares and buildings, for example, the 1000 year old Count's Castle. During the walk in the old town center, you will discover the beauty and the stories of the picturesque streets and canals. Start at the Woodrow Wilson square and discover historical Ghent including the fortress Gerard de Duivelsteen and St. Bavo's cathedral with "the Mystic Lamb" by Jan Van Eyck. You will see the Belfry, the Town Hall, the Friday market, the Patershol and the old Fish Market. The old harbor offers the finest views of St. Michael's church and Ghent's famous three towers: the tower of St. Nicholas' church, the Belfry and the tower of St. Bavo's cathedral.

The tour begins with pickup from the meeting point in Brussels and heads out of the city towards Bruges where a day of adventure awaits. During the drive to Bruges, learn about the rise and fall of the city from your guide, and how it came to be a UNESCO World Heritage Listed location. Upon arrival, stop by Europe’s oldest Saint John’s Hospital then enjoy a guided visit of the Church of our Lady which feature the tombs of the Dukes of Burgundy, as well as the Madonna painting by Michelangelo. Next, walk to the Belfry Tower in the Market Square, then continue onto the Town Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy a short beer tasting session followed by an optional lunch at a local restaurant with views of the Belfry. After lunch, enjoy a boat tour along the canals of Bruges and see the sights from a new perspective. Depart Bruges and listen to your guide bring the history of Ghent to life as you travel to the city. Stretch your legs with a guided tour of the Ghent’s highlights including the churches of Saint Jacob, Saint Michael, and Saint Nicholas, as well as the Town Hall, the Cloth Hall, and the Old Harbor. Later, visit the impressive Cathedral as well as the Castle of the Count of Flanders, built in the late 12th century. Your time in Ghent also includes a trip to the medieval Great Butcher’s Hall where you can taste local Ganda Ham that has been cured amongst the great wooden rafters. After another idyllic boat tour, which cruises along the rivers of Ghent, sit back and relax on the return journey to Brussels.