A summer of beer festivals

The region of Flanders in Belgium comes alive with a swathe of prestigious beer festivals this summer. Every region is proud of its historical beer production and to celebrate this age old, traditional industry, summer beer festivals are held in homage of this country’s favourite drink.

Manufacturers from small micro breweries and brew-pubs to large multinational breweries proudly attend the festivals all of which are open to the public and offer tempting, thirst-quenching offerings at reasonable prices.

Some of the better-known and renowned festivals include Antwerp Beer Passion week in June and the Brussels Beer Weekend in September. All the festivals offer the opportunity to sample some excellent brews as well as the chance to witness the true appreciation of beer in an authentic local setting. Flanders is renowned worldwide for the sheer variety and enviable quality of its beers. Indeed Belgium as a whole currently exports approximately 1 billion litres of beer to the rest of the world and this year increased production by 6%!

So popular is its beer legacy that a specially designed Beer Route map has been created to offer visitors a totally different travel experience. Discerning beer connoisseurs can now find details on how to get to various breweries, where to sample different beers and most importantly, where to buy beer locally. This unique guide adds dimension and insight into the fascinating world of Belgian beer.

Visitors to Flanders actually find themselves in somewhat of a conundrum (albeit pleasant!), with a choice of over 450 different beers, each offering a distinctive flavour experience. Renowned for its friendliness and hospitality, the Belgians themselves consume on average 89 litres of beer per person annually. If you can’t beat them, join them!

Summer Beer Festivals 2007:

ANTWERP: 22-24 June 2007
Beer Passion Weekend
Open air events with tents and brass and jazz bands on the Groenplaats. Free Entrance, visitors buy a glass (to keep with them) for 2€ and a beer costs 1€.
For more information: Beerpassion.com

OUDENAARDE: June 2007
Adriaan Brouwer Beer Festivities
Music, animation and wide selection of Belgian beers.
For more information: Oudenaarde.be

GHENT: 8-10 July 2007
Eurobierbeurs beer festival
Large open air event on Emile Braun square.
For more information: Eurobierbeurs.be

BRUSSELS: 31 Aug – 02 Sept 07
Brussels Beer Weekend
More than 30, small, medium and large-sized Belgian breweries will present a selection of their best brands on the Grand Place. Entrance is free and beer prices are very democratic.
For more information: Weekenddelabiere.be

DIKSMUIDE: October 20-27 2007
October beer festival
This festival has been running for over 40 years with music, dancing and plenty of beer, both regular and special beers. The festival opens at 19:00 and admission is 3€ per person. Drinks cost 1.30€, special beers are 1.80€.
For more information and reservations: Beerfestival.be

More information is available at Visitflanders.co.uk.