While I prefer my adult beverages to be of the red wine variety, when in Rome – or Belgium – I opt to go with a beer!
With more than 200 breweries in Belgium, this country has been known for producing amazing craft beer for centuries and the brewers here really focus on the craft of brewing and trying new techniques like barrel-aging, adding fruit, or bottle fermenting.
It’d be almost impossible to go to Belgium without sampling at least a bit of their beer, even better when you pair it with their fresh, crispy fries! If you’re off to Belgium soon and need some ideas of what beers to drink while there, check out our recommendations of what beers to drink in Belgium!
Belgium’s best beers
1. Brasserie Cantillon Fou’ Foune
This brewer has a strong history in Belgium as its been producing brews since 1900 and this particular Belgium-style brew is aged more than 18 months with apricots! It’s not too sweet but brings some nice acidity to this gourmet beer.
- Style: Lambic
- ABV: 5.5%
2. Rodenbach Grand Cru
Looking for a good red brown ale while touring Belgium? Check out the Grand Cru that brings some intense flavors thanks its aging process of two years in oak barrels. It’s fruity, tart, and a drinkable beer – perfect for sipping while at a bar and is noted as one of the original sour ales.
- Style: Brown ale
- ABV: 6%
3. Dupont Saison
Go for a classic beer by ordering a saison! This brew has been made here since the 1800s with its roots on the farms – so perfect after a day of sightseeing and walking around. This fruity, dry beer is ideal in summer as a refreshing choice.
- Style: Saison
- ABV: 6.5%
4. Orval Trappist Ale
This beer has quite the process as it goes through two fermentations and a dry hopping process if you’re looking for something a bit more dry.
- Style:Belgian ale
- ABV: 5.2%
5. Chimay Tripel
A bit bitter yet fruity, this beer is a great complement to a meat-based dish and isn’t overpowered by acidic flavors. It’s dry, floral, and a bit hoppy. Chimay is well-known for their brews and have produced a very popular tripel.
- Style: Belgian tripel
- ABV: 8%
6. Westmalle’s Tripel
This spicy Belgian beer is rich in golden hues yet still has some soft fruit flavors to accompany the spice. Known as the “Mother of Tripels,” this is a must-have beer in Belgium! With it’s high ABV, you’re sure to have a good time after drinking one of these. This beer is best enjoyed alone instead of paired with food.
- Style: Belgian tripel
- ABV: 9.5%
7. Cuvee Des Jacobins Rouge
This beer is aged for 18 months, giving it a rich color and flavor that’s slightly funky, sour, and oaky. Taste tart cherries and vanilla in this slightly dry Flanders Red pour.
- Style: Flanders Red ale
- ABV: 5.5%
8. Brouwerij Bosteels Deus (Brut Des Flandres)
This bone dry sparkling hybrid pairs champagne and beer with its product undergoing several fermentations. The beer is brewed in Belgium but finished in France, and is known for a lot of character and a certain funky flavor.
- Style: Biere de Champagne/Biere Brut
- ABV: 11.5%
9. St. Bernardus Wit
This Belgian wheat beer has spicy hints of coriander and orange peel, offering a wonderful blend of fruit, citrus, and yeast. It’s a refreshing beer with a light yellow color and dense head and is perfect for any occasion.
- Style: Wit/wheat
- ABV: 5.5%
10. St. Feuillien Blonde
Blondes do have more fun and this brew that’s balancing on the flavor scale between crisp and malty does bring some fun to your beer choice. There’s still some yeast and spicy hops to this brew, but is quite nice for savoring.
- Style: Blonde
- ABV: 7.5%
What’s your favorite beer to drink in Belgium? Tell us what we missed from the list in the comments or on Facebook!
