Belgian Beer Festivals
Belgian Beer Festival
Belgian beer festivals are a popular past-time of both citizens and visitors alike and provides the ideal platform to serve both popular and new and upcoming Belgian beer flavors. Belgium has over 450 beer breweries that vary in size from upstart small microbreweries to household international well known names. These brewers produce wide varieties of beer but among them the most popular are Flemish red, lambic and pale lager beers. Brewing in Belgium dates back to the Middle Ages and while there are new recipes, some of the favorites and most popular recipes date back that far. Each Belgian beer festival is typically sponsored by the brewers themselves to get their name and product out to the masses.
This annual festival is held February 25th – 27th, in the town of Wellin. Sohier beer lovers are provided with 130 different Sohier beer varieties which include both exotic and traditional beers.
2.) Alvinne Craft Beer Festival
Alvinne-craft is a two day beer festival event held annually on the 4th-5th of March. It involves 16 craft brewers with 120 different varieties of craft beer. This festival began three years ago and is held at Kasteelhoeve, Avelgem.
3.) De Nacht Van De Grole Dorst (The Night of the Large Thirst)
Held on March 2nd, annually, it’s an evening event involving Gueuze blenders and Lambic breweries of Senne Valley and Payottenland. This is a small event specializing in only naturally fermented Gueuze and Lambic beers. This is a favorite amongst many as it focuses on two of the most popular Belgian beers. Come thirsty as you will have plenty of varieties to choose from and your palette certainly won’t be disappointed. 
This is held in Saint Niklaas, Eastern Flanders on March 5th – 6th, annually. This event features 60 breweries showcasing over 200 beer varieties. This festival does not require pre-booking or an entry fee and is open for everyone.
5.) Bouillon Beer Festival
This beer festival is held in the month of April in Bouillon and involves shopkeepers displaying special beers produced by the local brewers. This festival also involves some beer tasting sessions.
6.) Beer Festivals of Mons
This beer festival is an annual three-day weekend event organized by the tradesmen and party service of Mons as a weekend dedication to beer. Visitors get to taste traditional beers from many stalls – even the mighty brands which made Belgium be known as a world beer center.
This is a three day event held in June from the 24th to the 26th in Groenplats Square, Antwerp. This is an annual summer festival involving more than 150 beer brands.
8. Gambrinus Beer-Truck Festival
The name originated from Duke of Brabant named Jan Primus known as the king of beer also the king of the road. This is held in July annually to honor brewery trucks and drivers in Philippeville. Its held in a museum found in a previous maltings-brewery-farm building which contains 75 display themes and 20 vehicles.
9.) Festival of International-Special-Beers
This event started 22 years ago on and is held every July from the 15th to the 20th in Stembert.
10.) Breweries Meeting in Belgium
Luxembourg province breweries gather annually in July in Hotton to explain the brewing methods they use and for beer tasting. Raffles for regional product baskets, street animations and music, are also present.
11.) La Grande Choufferie
This is a three days birth celebration for La Chouffe beer held on August 12th to the 14th.
12.) Archíen Biers
This event is held on August 27th and 28th in Grez-Doiceau town; this event is held for the main purpose of getting Walloon Brabant people acquainted with the lesser-known beers. Each year the organizers present new beer brands and beer tasting.
Annually, Grote Market in Brussels features many stands presenting a Belgium beer discovering opportunity. The beer selections presented are from the many large, small and medium sized Belgium breweries. Beer is sold at reasonable prices and entrance is free, plus entertainment and child activities are provided.
14.) Bruges Beer Festival
This beer festival began five years ago, which is held annually on February 4th to the 5th in Bruges. It features over 60 breweries presenting almost 300 beer varieties. Other than beer tasting, top chefs prepare delicious foods with Belgian beer as an ingredient. This event is held in the Beltry complex’s Historic rooms in Bruges market – operating on Saturdays 12.00pm-10.00pm and on Sunday 11.00am-9.00pm.
15.) Karakterbier Festivals
This is an annual event held in Poperinge showcasing more than 60 local flemish beers containing the special aroma. This event mainly features small scale brewers.
16.) Belgium Beer Festival
This event takes place in September, in Lustin and is known to showcase beer bottles, glasses, coasters, labels, pints, jugs among other items. Also, this event showcases more than 850 beer brands for sale.
