EN

2EDTION ND

Beer A r o u n d o f F l e m i s h B r aba n t

www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be • www.leuven.be/beercapital

B Beer / 3 INGREDIENTS

Appetizer

B

diest, mY Beer toWn

LEUVEN

Flemish Brabant lies at the heart of the beer country of Belgium and is the beer province par excellence. The number of local beers is large and surprising.

3

Diest has always been a true beer town. In the 19th century, brewing was even the town’s most important economic activity. Loterbol Brewery still makes delicious beer, and the traditional Gildenbier still flows freely. This walk takes you into Diest’s beer past, with plenty of tasting too. Follow the brochure or head off in the tracks of a town guide.

4

OVER A BEER

5

B 42 / BEER BAPAS

1  oude mArkt - With its 40 cafés, it is ‘the longest bar in Europe’. 2  mechelsestrAAt - The breweries used to jostle for space on the banks of the Dijle. The plaque with the inscription ‘De Kruiwagen‘– Mechelsestraat 37 – refers to the brewery ‘Den Grooten Cruywaeghen’, where beer was already being brewed in the 15th century. 3  de hoorn BreWerY - The famous Stella logo stands high on the old brewery buildings on the Vaartkom. De Hoorn Brewery was in existence as early as 1366, and was bought by Sébastien Artois in 1708. 4  de lAntAArn - An authentic pub with a view of the marina. According to legend, the best Stella in Leuven is served here, because the pipes apparently come straight from the brewery. 5  AB inBev - The Stella Artois brewery – part of AB InBev – looks out over the Leuvense Vaart. 6  diestsestrAAt - In 1910 there were no fewer than 85 cafés here, and in the whole of Leuven there were 788 at that time. Today it is one of the top shopping streets. 7  domus homeBreWerY -From the taps of the Domus inn, their own beer - Con Domus and Nostra Domus – comes straight from the wort boiler. One or two genuine beer cafés on the way:

More information at

www.toerismediest.be

BreWing trAil

5 7

1

BlAuWe kAter 1 , metAfoor 2 , de fiere mArgriet 3 , m-cAfÉ 4 , the cApitAl 5 . (p. 26-27)

BY Bike

You have to experience beer: it is part of the region, the tradition and the people. A local beer tastes best after a brewery visit. Or go on a beer walk or bike ride and sample the atmosphere en route in authentic pubs. Your B&B or hotel probably has a beer package in store for you. In Leuven, the best restaurants and brasseries offer a delicious beer menu. And all year long there are foaming events throughout the province, because the Flemish Brabanters like showing off their beers. And quite rightly so! Enjoy your beer! Tourism Flemish Brabant and Tourism Leuven

B

Would you like to ride through Leuven by bike? Or explore the city’s green areas on two wheels? Then you don’t need to take your bike to the city. At Fietspunt Leuven – at the station – you can hire a bike. Cycle maps or tips for an interesting route can be found at Tourism Leuven, Naamsestraat 3 (side of Town Hall).

BEER / 43 BEER VISITS

Fietspunt Leuven station +32 (0)16-21 26 01 fi[email protected] Mon. - Fri.: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., 1/4-15/10 also open on Sat.: 8.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun.: 8.30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 12 ribs

This walk starts every Saturday (Dutch and English) at 4 p.m. at oil sesame the Town Hall, from 1 April to 31 October. Joining costs 3 euro.  sesame seed Or book a guide for your group by appointment all year round, FOR THE MARINADE: max. 25 people.

1

Everyone has heard of Spanish tapas. And the regional beers of Flemish Brabant are world famous. What do you get if you combine the two? Delicious bapas, the perfect snack with a foaming head of beer.

     

6 / BEER FLAVOURS & TYPES

Lambic is an ancient beer which according to some sources has been brewed since the 14th century.

GEUZE

I N T H E G R E E N B E LT

This takes place using a method of spontaneous fermentation: brewers do not add any yeast but let the wort - the mixture of water, malt and hops - cool in the ambient air. This “impregnates” the brew with the wild yeasts Brettanomyces Bruxellensis and Brettanomyces Lambicus. These unique yeasts can only be found in the Zenne valley. Hence this beer is unique to this region. After this process, Lambic is aged in oak casks.

from lAmBic to geuZe Actual Lambic is hardly ever sold any more. It is acidic and has few bubbles and little head. In the 19th century, several brewers began experimenting. They mixed old and young Lambic and allowed secondary fermentation to take place in a bottle. Thus Geuze was born. The sugars and live yeasts in the young Lambic ensured that secondary fermentation occurs, while the old Lambic gives depth and structure. This process of mixing and secondary fermentation is known as “Geuze making”.

Flavou rs & TYP ES

The use of herbs is typical of Belgian white beers. Herbs are not permitted in the brewing of the German Weissbier. Genuine white beer is fermented twice. The cloudy appearance gives away the fact that it is not filtered. The proteins in the wheat malt also add to the cloudiness.

the lAmBic There’s nowhere better to start your exploratory trip in the Geuze region than in the interactive De Lambiek Visitors’ Centre, where you can really experience everything about this unique beer: the taste, aroma, texture, even the sounds. An impressive visual commentary takes you through the rolling beer barrels and bubbling hop boilers to brewers who tell you about their cherished beer. Of course, you can enjoy the Oude Geuze and Oude Kriek beers from all the Lambic breweries and Geuze makers in the Pajottenland and Zenne Valley. Gemeenveldstraat 1, 1652 Alsemberg T. +32 (0)2-359 16 36 www.delambieK.be

oude geuZe Boo n

Frank Boon young, eighte mixes very en mont and three h old and allow year old Lambic s the mixtu re-ferment re to into mild Geuz a fresh, e.

B

hoegAArden The best-known white beer is undoubtedly Hoegaarden, named after the village where it is brewed. In 1758, this village had no fewer than 38 breweries. This was down to a Frankish noblewoman who gave her county to the prince-bishop of Liège. Because of this, up until the French Revolution Hoegaarden remained an enclave of Liège in the Duchy of Brabant, and its farmers did not have to pay any high taxes. Farming flourished and the wheat grain disappeared into the white beer. And yet the beer was almost lost to time. In 1957 the last white beer brewery closed, but Hoegaarden native Pierre Celis breathed new life into the tradition in 1966. Today his former brewery is part of AB InBev.

B

You will find more recipes in the book “Bapas, Belgische biertapas” by Karl Van Malderen, Sven Gatz and Jan Pille.

BEER / 7 FLAVOURS & TYPES

www.bapas.be

20 cl olive oil juice of 2 limes 8 cl Teriyaki sauce 2 sticks lemongrass 6 cloves garlic salt and pepper

p.14

3 Heat the sesame oil in a casserole and fry the ribs for 10 minutes until almost cooked through. Turn the ribs regularly to prevent them burning.

FOR THE CARAMEL SAUCE:  4 dessertspoons honey  1 dessertspoon water  3 dessertspoons marinade  1 dash rice vinegar A ruby-red beer with a slight spiciness that drinks well. With secondary fermentation in the bottle.

AlternAtive Beer Grimbergen Dubbel

’t Wit geBrouW Experience the brewing process of the world-famous white beer, from copper boiler to the hectic bottling plant. Then immerse yourself in the fascinating history, the legends and spicy stories about the pleasant village and its white beer.

A brewery visit with a delicious tasting session? A walk or bicycle ride past authentic beer cafés? A cookery workshop with beer? In Flemish Brabant and Leuven, you can book the most fantastic beer visits for groups.

4 At the end of the cooking process, bring 3 dessertspoons of marinade, 4 dessertspoons of honey, 1 dessertspoon of water and the rice vinegar to the boil in a saucepan until you obtain a syrupy caramel sauce that trickles off the spoon. 5 Pour the caramel sauce over the ribs in the casserole and shake them well to distribute the caramel evenly over the ribs. Remove the casserole from the heat after 1 minute. 6 Toast the sesame seeds over a low heat in a dry skillet or frying pan. Scatter some sesame seeds over the ribs.

Brewers make white beer with wheat and malted barley, and a mixture of coriander, orange peel and hops.

hoegAArden: over A Beer

p.43

Beertours in leuven With the ‘the brewery life in Le(u)ven’ city game you can explore the beer city of Leuven by bicycle or kickbike, or on foot. The game takes you past breweries old and new. Fun photo assignments and a beer tasting make it a relaxed group activity.

pAlm BreWeries’ hops sessions How is beer brewed? What gives it flavour? When was the first pint tapped? And how do you taste and serve a beer? A professional will reveal all beer’s secrets during this interesting presentation. He will also treat your senses to a tasting of five beers and - if you’d like - five appropriate cheeses. Meer informatie over deze en veel andere groepsbezoeken vind je op www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/uitinGroep www.leuven.be/beercapital

IN THE HAGELAND

www.twitGebrouw.be

n’s hoegAArde Witte

Hoegenuine Gently The only white beer. gaarden ching on a sumthirst-quen e. Drink it in mer terrac ctive hexthe distin glass. agonal

p.6

B

B

20 / BEER PROUD OF BEER

en roUTe WITh The CYClIng neTWorK MaP

p.20

p.10

BEER / 21 PROUD OF BEER

Proud of beer Brewing is in the genes of the people of Flemish Brabant. Ever since the Middle Ages there has been brewing in abundance, and every village has a beer to its name.

The map is available for 9 euro from tourist information centres in the province of Flemish Brabant and in all good bookstores, or you can order it from www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/publicaties

Has the recipe on this page hooked you? Then follow a workshop with nutrition expert Karl Van Malderen. He will teach you about the beer’s flavour components and why bapas are an ideal combination, thanks to the food-pairing method. You’ll work in a small group like a real chef, sous-chef or sommelier. And then: enjoy!

Stoopkensstraat 24A 3320 Hoegaarden T. +32 (0)16-76 74 33

BEER / 11 CYCLING NETWORK

A cycle ride through the beer region of Flemish Brabant is very easy to plan, whether it be for an hour, a day or even multiple days. On the cycling network map you will find the best routes linked by hundreds of intersections. Map out your route and note the numbers of the intersections you will pass in the right order. Then you simply follow the route on your bike from number to number, i.e. from intersection to intersection, by following the signs. And on the way you will find more than enough spots to try a delicious regional beer: there are more than 130 cycle cafés on the network.

Discover the former glory of a brewer’s life and sample the tastiest Hoegaarden beers. The programme includes 4 local cafés, 4 beers,

appetizers and an enjoyable explanation by a local guide. A tip: combine this walk with a visit to the ’t Wit Gebrouw visitors’ centre.

BApAs for groups

WHITE BEER

B

10 / BEER CYCLING NETWORK

prepArAtion 1 Make your marinade by placing all the ingredients in a large glass bowl. Place the ribs in the marinade for 2 hours. 2 Remove the ribs from the marinade and pat them dry with kitchen paper.

Affligem duBBel

B

BEER VISITS FOR GROUPS

CARAMELISED RIBS & AFFLIGEM DUBBEL

Set off in the tracks of a guide for a walk past old cafés and (van20 minutes ished) breweries. On the way listen to tasty beer stories and fun (+ 2 hours’ preparation) facts. Why is Leuven’s beer so famous? Did beer really used to be brewed with water from the Dijle? And what is the difference ingredients (serves 6) between a pub and a tavern? All will be revealed.

4

2

More information at [email protected]

leUVen beer sTorIes

6

3

historical journey of discovery yourself. Obviously you have to try Hoegaarden’s genuine Witte and the beers of Nieuwhuys Inn-Brewery on the way.

BApAs, tApAs for Beer The brewer’s village par excellence is Hoegaarden. In 1758, the village had no fewer than 38 breweries, and beer is still brewed there today. Hoegaarden native Albert Guilluy has unravelled his village’s brewing past. With a free guide in your hand you can set out on the

2

BEER / 15 WALKING

booK at [email protected]

The rich beer tradition goes back to a time when every village served its own beer in the inns next to the church. Beer capital Leuven takes the cake. A century ago, the city had no fewer than 788 drinking establishments. The artisan breweries of yore are still alive today: together, the more than 30 small brewers produce close to 250 different local beers. AB InBev, the biggest brewing group in the world, began in around 1366 as a small city brewery in Leuven. Haacht Brewery, Palm Breweries and Hoegaarden also developed into household names in the world of beer.

INGREDIeNTs

B

OTHER WALKS

14 / BEER WALKING

That beer flowed freely in the village pubs you still find below every church tower. Brewing knowledge was handed down from father to son and from small initiatives back then grew the large breweries of today. The tradition of these small, artisanal breweries lives on: Flemish Brabant has more than 45 brewers, together producing more than 300 different regional beers. For many enthusiasts, brewing begins as a hobby, but if they have the taste for it, a new professional brewery is created. Each beer has its own taste, its own accent, but they all hark back to this great Flemish Brabant beer tradition.

THE MIRACLE BREWER OF HOEGAARDEN

STELLA CHRISTMAS BEER

The brewers of Hoegaarden have had a cast-iron reputation since the Middle Ages. For this they have one man to thank: Claes. He was abandoned as a baby at the De Kluis brewery - Claes is Kluis (Safe) in the local dialect - but the brewers did not know what to do with the little fellow. They asked Charles V for advice. The emperor commanded the brewers to each take the child in for a while.

Bottles of Stella Artois say 1366, but the famous Pils is nothing like that old. In 1892, Leuven’s Artois brewery first brewed Pils according to a method brought over from today’s Czech Republic and christened it Bock beer. The people of Leuven liked it, but they liked the brewery’s Christmas beer for 1926 - “Stella”, Latin for star - even better. As demand was so great, it was decided to brew the Christmas beer all year round. Stella Artois became by far the brewery’s most successful product.

Claes therefore grew up between the wort boilers, and tasted all the brews produced in the village. He learned all the tricks of the trade and put right the mistakes of one brewer with the skill of another. The child grew into the best brewer in the area. His statue stands in the inner courtyard of the Kouterhof, part of Hoegaarden’s old brewery buildings.

And 1366? That refers to the Den Hoorn brewery existing in that year, which grew into the city’s biggest in the 15th century and was bought by master brewer Sébastien Artois in the 18th century. Today, AB InBev is the largest brewery chain in the world

4 beer chart 6 flavours & types 10 en route with the cycle network map 12 steer for beer 14 Leuven over a beer 16 mmmmmh! 18 brewing on the farm 19 in the lab of world's biggest brewery 20 proud of beer 22 beer and science 23 Brewery de kroon 24 the longest bar 26 beer cafes 28 straight from the brewery 30 beer and gastronomy 32 beers of flemish brabant 34 beer is sexy 36 tasting beer, how's it done? 37 Pulling beer, how's it done? 38 through the eyes of bruegel 40 Bed and beer 42 Bapas, tapas for beer 43 beer visits for groups 44 an overview of all breweries in flemish brabant 48 leuven the place to be(er) 49 beer diary 50 meeting leuven & Vlaams-brabant 51 how to get to the beer part of belgium

B

B

4 / Beer BEER CHART

BEER / 5 BEER CHART

Discover the extensive beer chart 30

An overview of

LONDERZEEL

al l b r e w e r i e s

21

TREMELO

31

SCHERPENHEUVEL-ZICHEM

DIEST

24

BOORTMEERBEEK

ZEMST

1

11

MEISE

OPWIJK

ASSE

13

19

GRIMBERGEN

5

8

KAMPENHOUT

Green Belt

VILVOORDE

32

KORTENBERG

16

7

10

22

Leuven

GLABBEEK BERTEM

DILBEEK

NL

Brussels

BIERBEEK

LENNIK

25

HULDENBERG

SINT-PIETERS-LEEUW

15 3 PEPINGEN

17

HOEILAART

OVERIJSE

BOUTERSEM

ZOUTLEEUW

20 2

OUD-HEVERLEE

9

LINTER

brussels Flemish Brabant

TIENEN

DE

HOEGAARDEN

FR

12 23 LANDEN

BEERSEL HALLE

GEETBETS

KORTENAKEN

LUBBEEK

28

TERVUREN

GOOIK

6

27

ZAVENTEM

18

ROOSDAAL

TIELT-WINGE

STEENOKKERZEEL MACHELEN

TERNAT

BEKKEVOORT

14

HOLSBEEK HERENT

AFFLIGEM

LIEDEKERKE

Be

hageland

ROTSELAAR

HAACHT

MERCHTEM

20. Vissenaken Brewery 21. Wolf Brewery 22. Brewery-Distellery

Craywinckelhof 23. ‘t Nieuwhuys Inn-Brewery 24. Loterbol Inn Brewery 25. Geuze maker De Cam 26. Geuze maker Hanssens Artisan 27. Domus Homebrewery (de Kluis) Brewery 28. Micro-Brewery 13. Hof ten Dormaal Angerik Brewery 29. Micro-Brewery 14. Kortrijk-Dutsel Den Triest Brewery GALMAARDEN 15. Lindemans Brewery 30. Palm Breweries 16. Mort Subite Brewery 31. City Brewery Aarschot 17. Oud-Beersel Brewery 32. Brewery Stella Artois HERNE 18. Timmermans /AB InBev BEVER Brewery 33. Tilquin 19. van Campenhout Brewery

BEGIJNENDIJK

KEERBERGEN

AARSCHOT

in Flemish Brabant

1. Affligem Brewery 2. De Kroon Brewery 3. 3 Fonteinen Brewery 4. Boon Brewery 5. De Block Brewery 6. De Schuur Brewery 7. De Troch Brewery 8. De Vlier Brewery 9. Den Herberg Brewery 10. Girardin Brewery 11. Haacht Brewery 12. Hoegaarden

29

KAPELLE-OP-DEN-BOS

26

4 33

The beer region of Flemish Brabant is the ­absolute heart of the beer country of Belgium. The brewing tradition is alive here like nowhere else, so you never have to go very far to find a brewery or taste a delicious local beer. The ­details of all the breweries on this map can be

found at the back of the brochure (p. 44-46). This way you can see straightaway which breweries will welcome you with open arms for a peek between the wort boilers. Great for tourists, but there is a whole lot more to discover in the province.

LU

Flemish Brabant is situated in the centre of Belgium. The capital of this province is Leuven.

B 6 / BEER FLAVOURS & TYPES

Lambic is an ancient beer which according to some sources has been brewed since the 14th century.

Geuze

I n t h e G r e e n B e lt

This takes place using a method of spontaneous fermentation: brewers do not add any yeast but let the wort - the mixture of water, malt and hops - cool in the ambient air. This “impregnates” the brew with the wild yeasts Brettanomyces Bruxellensis and Brettanomyces Lambicus. These unique yeasts can only be found in the Zenne valley. Hence this beer is unique to this region. After this process, Lambic is aged in oak casks.

From lambic to Geuze Actual Lambic is hardly ever sold any more. It is acidic and has few bubbles and little head. In the 19th century, several brewers began experimenting. They mixed old and young Lambic and allowed secondary fermentation to take place in a bottle. Thus Geuze was born. The sugars and live yeasts in the young Lambic ensured that secondary fermentation occurs, while the old Lambic gives depth and structure. This process of mixing and secondary fermentation is known as “Geuze making”.

Flavou rs & typ es

The use of herbs is typical of Belgian white beers. Herbs are not permitted in the brewing of the German Weissbier. Genuine white beer is fermented twice. The cloudy appearance gives away the fact that it is not filtered. The proteins in the wheat malt also add to the cloudiness.

the lambic There’s nowhere better to start your exploratory trip in the Geuze region than in the interactive De Lambiek Visitors’ Centre, where you can really experience everything about this unique beer: the taste, aroma, texture, even the sounds. An impressive visual commentary takes you through the rolling beer barrels and bubbling hop boilers to brewers who tell you about their cherished beer. Of course, you can enjoy the Oude Geuze and Oude Kriek beers from all the Lambic breweries and Geuze makers in the Pajottenland and Zenne Valley. Gemeenveldstraat 1, 1652 Alsemberg T. +32 (0)2-359 16 36 www.delambiek.be

Oud Geuze Beo

on

Frank B young, e oon mixes very ig and thre hteen month o ld e and allow year old Lambic re-ferme s the mixture to nt into mild Geu a fresh, ze.

Hoegaarden The best-known white beer is undoubtedly Hoegaarden, named after the ­village where it is brewed. In 1758, this village had no fewer than 38 breweries. This was down to a Frankish noblewoman who gave her county to the prince-bishop of Liège. Because of this, up until the French Revolution Hoegaarden remained an enclave of Liège in the Duchy of Brabant, and its farmers did not have to pay any high taxes. Farming flourished and the wheat grain disappeared into the white beer. And yet the beer was a ­ lmost lost to time. In 1957 the last white beer brewery closed, but ­Hoegaarden ­native Pierre Celis breathed new life into the tradition in 1966. Today his former brewery is part of AB InBev.

B BEER / 7 FLAVOURS & TYPES

Brewers make white beer with wheat and malted barley, and a mixture of coriander, orange peel and hops. ’t Wit Gebrouw Experience the brewing process of the world-famous white beer, from copper boiler to the hectic bottling plant. Then immerse yourself in the fascinating history, the legends and spicy stories about the pleasant village and its white beer. Stoopkensstraat 24A 3320 Hoegaarden T. +32 (0)16-76 74 33 www.twitgebrouw.be

en’s Hoegaarde Witt e Hoe-

genuin The only ite beer. Gently h w n e rd gaa on a sum enching thirst-qu ace. Drink it in mer terr nctive hexthe disti glass. agonal

White beer In the hageland

B

B

8 / BEER FLAVOURS & TYPES

BEER / 9 FLAVOURS & TYPES

Other Types of Beer

A “pintje” or a Pils beer is a light, golden beer, brewed from malt, water, hops and yeast. It contains around 5% alcohol. By drying the malt under controlled conditions, the beer’s golden-yellow colour is retained. Sometimes brewers also add maize and rice. This makes the beer even lighter in colour and easier to digest. After maturing, Pils is filtered. This produces a very clear beer and also takes the sharpness out of the taste. Fermentation takes place at a temperature of 6 to 8°C, known as “low fermentation”. In contrast to high fermentation - a process between 15 and 25°C - this low fermentation takes quite a long time, but the process is less sensitive to bacteria.

Pils The name Pils originates from the Czech city of Pilsen. Its inhabitants opened their own brewery in 1842 out of dissatisfaction because the beer in ­Pilsen was of very poor quality at the ­beginning of the 19th century. German brewer Josef Groll was brought in and together they brewed the first Pils. Pils beer and the new brewing techniques gradually conquered the world.

Fruit beer is created by adding fruit during the brewing process, just prior to fermentation. Almost every kind of fruit can be used: from peach to banana, from strawberry to mango. The Lambic-based Kriek (cherry) beer is famous.

This high fermentation beer contains more raw materials than “normal” beer. The alcohol percentage varies between 6 and 9%. Double beer is generally dark brown in colour, but that does not always have to be the case. Drying the ­malted barley grains at a high temperature gives the beer a dark colour. Sometimes, concentrated caramel is also added.

Kriek Lindemans

Grimbergen Dubbel

This fruity slightly sour beer is a top thirstquencher and perfect in many dishes, such as rabbit with cherries. It is produced by mixing pure cherry juice with Lambic at least eight months old.

A bittersweet abbey beer with a full flavour and hints of caramel, the mixing of different varieties of malt gives the beer its characteristic deep-red Burgundy color.

Amber beer

pils In Leuven

Stella Artois Brewery Take a tour around the heart of the beer city of Leuven: Stella Artois brewery ­(AB InBev), where centuries-old brewing tradition and modern technology are combined. You will discover all the secrets of the brewing process before enjoying a delicious glass of Stella. As a little extra, you can combine your visit with a tasting, a serving course or a tasting board. Info: Tourism Leuven T. +32 (0)16-20 30 20 www.leuven.be/beercapital

Stella Artois

The wa genuine ter for the only , fr pumped esh Leuven pin t u layers of p from below d is eep clay ben eath the It was bre city. wed in 1926 a for the first tim e nd imme d ousted a ll the oth iately e r P beers in il Leuven. s

At the beginning of the 20th century, B ­ rabant’s brewers refined their typical brews as a ­reaction against the rise of Pils. The new type of beer was named Spéciale Belge. The use of colour or caramel malts gave it its amber colour. It is a lightly hopped beer with high fermentation.

Palm The best-known amber beer of Flemish Brabant is Palm, brewed at the Palm Brewery in Steenhuffel. It is a true special beer with an alcohol percentage of 5.4%.

double beer

Fruit beer

Tripel beer Not every high fermentation blonde beer is a tripel. “Tripel” is a beer term which means that more raw materials are used than in a “normal” and a “double” beer. The colour varies from blonde to amber and even dark and re-fermentation takes place in the bottle. The alcohol percentage is generally between 7 and 11%.

Affligem tripel This abbey beer has a huge head, an original nose, a deep-golden and complex taste. One to r­eally savour.

Blonde beer In contrast to Pils beer, when making blonde beer, the brewer uses high fermentation. The alcohol percentage generally varies between 6 and 7%.

Keizer Karel Goud Blond This beer from Haacht Brewery has a herby, ­hoppy aroma and a soft fruity taste. In the aftertaste you get bitterness, but softness also predominates.

B

B

10 / BEER CYCLING NETWORK

BEER / 11 CYCLING NETWORK

En route with the cycling network map A cycle ride through the beer region of Flemish Brabant is very easy to plan, whether it be for an hour, a day or even multiple days. On the cycling network map you will find the best routes linked by hundreds of intersections. Map out your route and note the numbers of the intersections you will pass in the right order. Then you simply follow the route on your bike from number to number, i.e. from intersection to intersection, by following the signs. And on the way you will find more than enough spots to try a delicious regional beer: there are more than 130 cycle cafés on the network. The map is available for 9 euro from tourist information centres in the province of Flemish Brabant and in all good bookstores, or you can order it from www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/publicaties

B

B

12 / BEER CYCLING

BEER / 13 CYCLING

Other cycle routes

Beersel Castle

Oud Beersel Brewery 3 fonteinen brewery

Explore the country of the Geuze, the world-famous and unique beer of the ­Pajottenland and the Zenne valley. The route leads you through a green, hilly ­region, scattered with breweries where tradition and craft are still very important. You start at 3 Fonteinen Brewery and pass by the Oud Beersel Brewery and Geuze maker Hanssens Artisanaal. Between intersections 61 and 83 you can call in at the “De Lambiek” visitors’ centre for artisanal Lambic beers in Alsemberg, where you will discover the production process of this sublime and unique beer.

72 km

Jan Primus route

42 km

Beers and Beets

35 km

Hop route

De Lambiek Visitors’ Centre

The Basilica in Halle

A virtual Tour de... Geuze

Geuze maker Hanssens Artisanaal

Start: 3 Fonteinen Brewery, Hoogstraat 2, Beersel The route follows the intersections of the Flemish Brabant cycling network: start, 63, 62, 53, 64, 65, 28, 50, 49, 61, 83, start.

Cycle route (paved)

Reduction to 24.6 km: start, 63, 62, 53, 50, 49, 61, 83, start.

Cycle route (paved, no cars allowed)

Reduction to 14.8 km: start, 63, 61, 83, start

Cycle route (not paved) Cycle route (semipaved, no cars allowed) Cycle route (cobble stone)

Halle Forest

Locked out of the brewery? No worries: the digital Tour de Geuze lets you take a virtual look around the breweries and Geuze makers along your way. Use your smartphone or tablet to scan the QR codes located on the “Toer de Geuze” signs and watch an informative clip on what’s going on behind closed doors.

Duke Jan Primus was a true hedonist and beer lover. He granted the breweries of Brabant priority rights, and Haacht Brewery even immortalised him in Primus Pils. The route starts at this brewery and winds through woods, farmland, pretty sunken lanes and - of course - beer terraces.

Set off from the charming beer village of Hoegaarden for a cycle ride to Tienen and back. You will pass down sunken lanes and through expansive landscapes, past picturesque villages and former breweries. Stop off at Nieuwhuys Inn-Brewery for a mild Alpaïde, or try a Tienen beer such as Tiense Kweiker, Lorejas or Zoeg.

The Abbey of Affligem is your starting point for this cycle ride in the wake of the hop. For centuries, this hilly region was one of Europe’s richest hop-producing areas. The route takes you past fields of hops and old breweries, monuments and little churches. In Asse market square you can even stand face to face with the Hop Devil, and at one of the many beer terraces you can naturally try one of the Affligem abbey beers.

More info at

Download these cycle routes for free at

www.horal.be

www.toerismevlaamsbrabant. be/en

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Other walks

14 / BEER WALKING

Diest, my beer town

Leuven

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over a beer 1

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 Oude Markt - With its 40 cafés, it is ‘the

longest bar in Europe’. 2  Mechelsestraat - The breweries used to jostle for space on the banks of the Dijle. The plaque with the inscription ‘De Kruiwagen‘– Mechelsestraat 37 – refers to the brewery ‘Den Grooten Cruywaeghen’, where beer was already being brewed in the 15th century. 3  De Hoorn brewery - The famous Stella logo stands high on the old brewery buildings on the Vaartkom. De Hoorn Brewery was in existence as early as 1366, and was bought by Sébastien Artois in 1708. 4  De Lantaarn - An authentic pub with a view of the marina. According to legend, the best Stella in Leuven is served here, because the pipes apparently come straight from the brewery. 5  AB InBev - The Stella Artois brewery – part of AB InBev – looks out over the L ­ euvense Vaart. 6  Diestsestraat - In 1910 there were no fewer than 85 cafés here, and in the whole of Leuven there were 788 at that time. Today it is one of the top shopping streets. 7  Domus Homebrewery -From the taps of the Domus inn, their own beer - Con Domus and Nostra Domus – comes straight from the wort boiler. One or two genuine beer cafés on the way:

Blauwe Kater 1 , Metafoor 2 , De Fiere ­Margriet 3 , M-Café 4 , The capital 5 . (p. 26-27)

Diest has always been a true beer town. In the 19th century, brewing was even the town’s most important economic activity. Loterbol Brewery still makes delicious beer, and the traditional Gildenbier still flows freely. This walk takes you into Diest’s beer past, with plenty of tasting too. Follow the brochure or head off in the tracks of a town guide. More information at

www.toerismediest.be

Brewing trail The brewer’s village par excellence is Hoegaarden. In 1758, the village had no fewer than 38 breweries, and beer is still brewed there today. Hoegaarden native Albert Guilluy has unravelled his village’s brewing past. With a free guide in your hand you can set out on the

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BEER / 15 WALKING

historical journey of discovery yourself. Obviously you have to try Hoegaarden’s genuine Witte and the beers of ­Nieuwhuys Inn-Brewery on the way. More information at [email protected]

By bike Would you like to ride through Leuven by bike? Or explore the city’s green areas on two wheels? Then you don’t need to take your bike to the city. At Fietspunt Leuven – at the station – you can hire a bike. Cycle maps or tips for an interesting route can be found at Tourism Leuven, Naamsestraat 3 (side of Town Hall). Fietspunt Leuven station +32 (0)16-21 26 01 [email protected] Mon. - Fri.: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., 1/4-15/10 also open on Sat.: 8.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun.: 8.30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Leuven beer stories Set off in the tracks of a guide for a walk past old cafés and (vanished) breweries. On the way listen to tasty beer stories and fun facts. Why is Leuven’s beer so famous? Did beer really used to be brewed with water from the Dijle? And what is the difference between a pub and a tavern? All will be revealed. This walk starts every Saturday (Dutch and English) at 4 p.m. at the Town Hall, from 1 April to 31 October. Joining costs 3 euro. Or book a guide for your group by appointment all year round, max. 25 people. Book at [email protected]

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16 / BEER BEER ON THE WALL

BEER / 17 BEER ON THE WALL

Mmmmmh! Follow your sense of taste on a culinary stroll past the most delightful pieces of the collection of Museum M in Leuven. With a guide in your hand you will linger over fun facts about the eating and drinking culture of the Middle Ages, the 17th and the 19th centuries. After your visit, a delicious regional beer awaits you in the M-Café. The ‘Mmmh Master in taste’ guide (2 euro) is available. A tailored programme is available for groups. More info via www.mleuven.be

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18 / BEER ARTISAN

BEER / 19 HIGH-TECH

Jeroen Laenen Dries Janssens Artisanal brewer

Unique brews on the thE

farm

Oak barrels rest in the basements of the Ursaline convent in Tildonk. Not long ago, these were filled with whisky and other spirits. Now, they’re giving the beer of farm brewery Hof ten Dormaal its unique flavour.

A traditional approach and innovation go together perfectly. Father and son team André and Dries Janssens prove it. They brew beer using their own barley and hops at their courtyard farm in the fields of Tildonk. The result is the real stuff, a purely natural, traditional product. The hop boilers and fermentation tanks in the barn exude tradition, but those expecting just a traditional offer of blonde, brown and triple beer are way off base. “We are constantly searching for new flavours,” says André. “First we created chicory beer, in which we replaced some of the hops with chicory roots. But recently a new idea has been brewing in my head: to let the beer age in used, wooden barrels.”

brewing manager

A hint of port Dries and André have travelled all over Europe searching for usable barrels. “Barrels in which alcoholic drinks have aged for years, with the wood soaking up the flavour. By storing our beer in these barrels for at least six months, it takes on the flavour of the wood. The result is a collection of exceptional beers, with a hint of port, armagnac, cognac, jenever, sauternes, sherry, madeira and no fewer than five types of whisky.”

The Zure van Tildonk The beers are flying off the shelves in the US and Japan. This has had an effect on production. Two years ago, André and Dries were brewing about 4,500 litres per month. “It’s now 3,000 litres every week. And we’re far from running out of creativity,” André smiles. “By letting the beer acidify in the barrel, we again get a very special flavour. The Zure van Tildonk (Tildonk Sour) is our newest creation.” Fancy a visit to Hof ten Dormaal, in a group or individually? Visit www.hoftendormaal.com

Bio-engineer and Brewing Manager Jeroen Laenen guides us between the shiny steel wort boilers of AB InBev in Leuven. “The contents of one boiler are good for 280.000 glasses of Stella Artois,” he tells us. “And we export it all over the world. If you drink a Stella Artois in New York, it was brewed here with Leuven water.”

Precise measuring High technology plays an important part. Jeroen takes us to the labs where technicians are busy with all manner of measuring instruments and analytical devices. “The alcohol content, the pH value, the colour, the thickness of the head… there’s a piece of equipment for everything. We don’t leave anything to chance.”

-176 °C Brewmaster Jeroen sneaks us into another laboratory. “This is where we test all the beers for perfect quality before they go out the door.

We also cultivate yeast here. That begins with a stem cell that is multiplied at microlevel until there is enough for a whole boiler of wort. We store our yeast strain very carefully at headquarters at a temperature of -176 °C. Yeast lives and mutates, but by freezing the yeast strain, we can be certain that our Stella Artois is always Stella Artois.”

Tasting But despite all the high technology, tasting the beer remains the best quality ­ control. “Our tasting panel tastes all the ingredients: they make a tea from the hops, they taste the water, the yeast, the wort, the ­unfiltered beer and, obviously, the finished product. Our tasters undergo strict training, and can describe fifty different characteristics.” Fancy a nose around the wort boilers of the world’s biggest beer brewer? Visit www.leuven.be/­ beercapital

In the lab of the

world’s biggest brewery

High-tech labs and massive steel beer barrels. A glance behind the scenes at AB InBev is really impressive.

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20 / BEER proud of beer

BEER / 21 proud of beer

Proud of beer Brewing is in the genes of the people of Flemish Brabant. Ever since the Middle Ages there has been brewing in abundance, and every village has a beer to its name.

That beer flowed freely in the village pubs you still find below every church tower. Brewing knowledge was handed down from father to son and from small initiatives back then grew the large breweries of today. The tradition of these small, artisanal breweries lives on: Flemish Brabant has more than 45 brewers, together producing more than 300 different regional beers. For many enthusiasts, brewing begins as a hobby, but if they have the taste for it, a new professional brewery is created. Each beer has its own taste, its own accent, but they all hark back to this great Flemish Brabant beer tradition.

The miracle brewer of Hoegaarden

Stella Christmas beer

The brewers of Hoegaarden have had a cast-iron reputation since the Middle Ages. For this they have one man to thank: Claes. He was abandoned as a baby at the De Kluis brewery - Claes is Kluis (Safe) in the local dialect - but the brewers did not know what to do with the little fellow. They asked Charles V for advice. The emperor commanded the brewers to each take the child in for a while.

Bottles of Stella Artois say 1366, but the famous Pils is nothing like that old. In 1892, Leuven’s Artois brewery first brewed Pils according to a method brought over from today’s Czech Republic and christened it Bock beer. The people of Leuven liked it, but they liked the brewery’s Christmas beer for 1926 - “Stella”, Latin for star - even better. As demand was so great, it was decided to brew the Christmas beer all year round. Stella Artois became by far the brewery’s most successful product.

Claes therefore grew up between the wort boilers, and tasted all the brews produced in the village. He learned all the tricks of the trade and put right the mistakes of one brewer with the skill of another. The child grew into the best brewer in the area. His statue stands in the inner courtyard of the Kouterhof, part of Hoegaarden’s old brewery buildings.

And 1366? That refers to the Den Hoorn brewery existing in that year, which grew into the city’s biggest in the 15th century and was bought by master brewer Sébastien Artois in the 18th century. Today, AB InBev is the largest brewery chain in the world

B BEER / 23 science

BEer BEER SCIENCE &

the common sense of PROF. FREDDY DELVAUX

A genetically modified super-yeast that gives the beer more or less of a fruity taste. Or a blonde beer that tastes like a dark beer. Professor Freddy Delvaux approaches beer scientifically, with surprising results.

It’s strange to see bowls of beer among the microscopes and Petri dishes, but in De Kroon Brewery’s high-tech beer lab in Neerijse it’s perfectly normal. Professor Freddy Delvaux is a doctor of agricultural and applied biological sciences and the ultimate flavour and beer expert in Belgium. He was the driving force behind the Laboratory for Malting and Brewing of the KU Leuven for years. He’s retired now, but beer is still his passion. Together with his son - who is also a doctor specialising in beer they’re breathing new life into the old De Kroon Brewery. Once again, the brewing and tasting is proceeding apace, as is the scientific research. “Yeast is extremely important here. It is the most important ingredient in beer,” says the Professor. “We research the formation of esters. That component gives beer a fruity taste. By genetically modifying yeast, we now know how these esters are formed in the wort. And depending on the type of yeast, the temperature, the quantity and the aeration, different esters are produced. Interesting stuff for brewers.”

Beer that tastes like butter

Professor Delvaux’s lab carries out quality assurance and product development for about 20 of the country’s biggest breweries. He’s making his mark on the modern brewing process. “After primary fermentation, a low fermentation beer used to mature for another three months in barrels. This was because during primary fermentation, diacetyl is formed, and that gives the beer an unwanted buttery taste.

How many beers are there? In 2013 the 10 provinces of Belgium brewed a total of 3043 beers. That makes Belgium the country for beer. Flemish Brabant tops the list, with 457 beers.

3043 months can now be completed in ten days thanks to science.” Immobilising yeast

Why does beer froth? Beer contains proteins. And these froth as soon as you shake them or if CO2 escapes. And that is precisely what happens when you open and pour a bottle. Resulting in a foaming head.

While in the barrels, the diacetyl is broken down. We have now learned how diacetyl can be broken down more quickly. A brewing process that took three to four

Other research is still in its infancy, but it could radically alter the entire brewing process. “By immobilising yeast,” the Professor explains, “the fermentation process converts the wort into beer, after which the multiplied yeast settles on the bottom of the tank as mash. That yeast is pumped to a different tank after the process. What if we were to immobilise the yeast, in other words fix it in the tank so that the wort flows into the tank on one side and beer flows out of the other side? Then the brewer wouldn’t have to

always clean the tanks and pump the yeast out. We’ve succeeded in this, but the system is not yet perfect.” Blonde or dark beer?

Malt and hop don’t escape a scientific study either. “The way malt is dried determines the colour of the beer,” says Professor Delvaux. “The higher the drying temperature, the darker the beer. We succeeded in producing a lot of sugars even at a low temperature during the malting process. We were even able to develop a blonde beer with the taste of a dark beer. A fun little experiment.”

Does beer give you a beer belly? There is no scientific evidence that beer gives you a beer belly. A glass of Pils has approximately 44 kilocalories per 100 ml, which is comparable with an average sweetened soft drink.

DE KROON BRewery The old De Kroon Brewery has been given a new lease on life, and what a lease it is. Once upon a time beers with big names like Leuvensch Bier and the Neerijsche Lux came from the boilers. Together with his sons Peter and Filip, Professor Freddy Delvaux turned the site into a bubbling beer centre with a brand new brewery, a high-tech beer laboratory and the cosy Brouwhuis, where you can taste the creations Job, Delvaux and Super Kroon Pale Ale. The old, traditional brewery is now a unique museum. The beer expert happily takes you around the site, and there are many more

ways to truly experience beer: tasting classes, tours, a gastronomic discovery, parties and meetings. Cycling and walking It’s not just a required stop for every beer lover; the site is ideally located on the Zuid-Dijleland footpath network. So it is the perfect starting point or stop along a day walk in the region. Or try this tip: mark out your own beer path on the Flemish Brabant Cycling Network, starting in the beer capital Leuven, and heading towards De Kroon in Neerijse. Beekstraat 20 3040 Neerijse E. [email protected] www.brouwerijdekroon.be

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24 / BEER The longest bar

BEER / 25 The longest bar

The longest bar Fancy a drink in Leuven? Then you have to go to the Oude Markt, for centuries the preferred meeting place. More than forty bars line the square, transforming the Oude Markt in summer into one big terrace. It is no coincidence that it is nicknamed the “longest bar in Europe”.

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Beer cafés

BEER / 27 BEER CAFÉS

A popular bruine kroeg (a typical pub often with dark wood), a warm inn where the landlord gives you a word of explanation for every brew, a trendy pub with an impressive beer menu. In some cafes you feel it as soon as you walk through the door: they'll do a local beer justice here. MUSEUMcAfe

De zwaan

When getting to know the Hageland and its regional beers, you really should stop at the stylish Museum Café at the Erfgoedsite Tienen (Tienen Heritage Site). You will find no fewer than 67 beers from the Hageland and Flemish Brabant on the menu. Afterwards, you can buy a few bottles in the Streekshop to take home, or visit the tourism info point, the Sugar Museum or Het Toreke Museum.

Brothers Adri and Stijn Vanderelst put their heart and soul into their atmospheric beer and people’s café in the heart of the Pajottenland. The beer menu lists 130 different beers, and among other brews, real Lambic flows from the 8 taps. The inn is a beloved address for old Geuze and Kriek lovers. Their love for this local specialty won the brothers the 2013 “De Gouden Lambiekstoemper” title.

THE HAGELAND AND ITS BEERS

De Fiere Margriet

De Blauwe Kater

De metafoor

In the shadow of the St Peter’s Church, right in the historic heart of the city. The 17th century building has a surprisingly trendy interior with a cosy, homey atmosphere. The menu contains around 350 Belgian beers: classics, but also from very small breweries from all corners of the country. The boss can tell you all about them.

A pub with an authentic jazz & blues feel and a wide selection of regional beers. On Mondays you can take in a swinging show.

A café with a cosy vintage feel where the seven taps serve the best beer from the keg. Ask about the seasonal beer, a pleasant surprise every time!

In the heart of the city of beer

Margarethaplein 11 3000 Leuven Open every day from 7 a.m.

jazz and blues

Hallengang 1 3000 Leuven Open every day from 7 p.m. www.blauwekater.be

The best from the keg

Parijsstraat 34 3000 Leuven Open every day from 11 a.m.

Grote Markt 4 3300 Tienen Open from 10 a.m. tot 5 p.m. (Tuesday from 9 a.m.) Closed on Monday

Lambic from the vat

Gemeentehuisstraat 1 1653 Dworp Open from 2 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. Closed on Monday and Tuesday

M-CAFE

The Capital

M-Café is part of M - Museum Leuven, where you can taste almost all of the special beers from Flemish Brabant even after the museum is closed. The barman can tell you a little about every beer. There is a regular “Onehour Beer Culture”, a tasting opportunity during which an expert introduces you to several regional beers. M-Café also creates customised beer activities for groups, from a special beer-based menu to a tasting or a foodpairing session.

There are not enough superlatives to describe this café. The Capital is by far the biggest beer café with at least 3,000 different beers, 2,400 of which are Belgian, 20 taps, and glass portholes in the floor that give you an impressive view of the beer stocks, and a mechanical beer lift that brings the bottles up.

Between art and beer culture

The biggest beer café in the world

Grote Markt 14 3000 Leuven Open every day from 12 a.m. www.thecapital.be

Savoyestraat 10 3000 Leuven Open From 9 a.m. Closed on Wednesday

But Sometimes a beer tastes better after a few years in a cellar...

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t h i g a tr S from Brewery e the

Sometimes beer tastes better after spending a few years in the cellar. But a fresh pint, straight from the boiler, is definitely worth a taste. Many brewers in Flemish Brabant have their own cosy cafe in the brewery, or work exclusively with a small cafe nearby. And some of them give you a sample among the beer barrels and yeast tanks while they tell you about every aspect of the brewing process.

Volkscafe de cam

An authentic Pajottenland inn next to the De Cam Geuze maker in Gooik. Try a true Lambic in a stone jug. Gooik - www.decam.be

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Halle - www.denherberg.be

Jan De Wachter and Mieke De Backer brew Alpaïde, Rosdel and Huardis in Hoegaarden’s oldest stone building. You can taste them in their cosy café.

Local brewers are breathing new life into the typical Aarschot beer “den Bruine”. Taste this unique beer, brewed to a centuriesold recipe, in the Municipal Museum’s own brewery.

Hoegaarden - www.nieuwhuys.be

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brouwershof

The first brewmaster of Haacht Brewery once lived in this stately mansion. Today, you can taste all the beers from the brewery across the street in the Brouwershof. Haacht - www.brouwershofhaacht.be

Enjoy all the beers from Hoegaarden Brewery in the stalls of the old gentleman’s farm. A tip: ’t Wit Gebrouw, the brewery’s interactive visitor centre is located next door.

Gasthof de Oude Brouwerij Where better to experience Affligem beers than on the site of the convent itself? This Gasthof is housed in the abbey’s former dairy. Affligem - www.gasthofdoudebrouwerij.be

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Domus homebrewery Domus’s hop boilers stand in the shadow of Leuven town hall. The beer flows straight from the brewing installation to the taps in the inn. Leuven - www.domusleuven.be

or do you prefer a typical pub, trendy pub or a warm inn?

Every first Sunday of the month, brewer Marc Struyf proudly taps his beers, each one made with all-natural ingredients, in the cosy occasional café at the Den Triest Microbrewery in Kapelle-op-den-Bos.

t Bruine Cafe

Hoegaarden - www.kouterhof.be

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den triest Micro-brewery

Brewers Bart Devillé and Ann Heremans tap their beers - Amber, Blond, Brown and Wheat - in their own charismatic café in Buizingen.

Inn Brewery Nieuwhuys

Kouterhof 1

Brewery Den Herberg

Aarschot - www.toerismeaarschot.be

het Brouwhuis The Brouwhuis, on De Kroon Brewery’s splendid brewery site, is the only place where you can taste the Job, Delvaux and Super Kroon Pale Ale beers. neerijse - www.brouwerijdekroon.be

Het Labo The Van Campenhout brewery’s creations can be tasted in Het Labo brasserie on-site at this brand new brewery, the former home of the De Biertoren brewery. The lab has been housed here in the former brewery. Kampenhout - www.brouwerijvancampenhout.be

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Brasserie 3 Fonteinen

Guido Debelder, brother of Geuze maker and Lambic legend Armand Debelder, runs the brasserie behind the 3 Fonteinen brewery. It has a delicious beer kitchen and naturally, all of the 3 Fonteinen beers are on the menu. Beersel - www.3fonteinen.be

Kapelle-op-den-Bos - www.dentriest.be

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t Brouwershuis

The stately brasserie ’t Brouwershuis lies in the shadow of the Palm Brewery, near the Steenhuffel church. Cosy up to the massive open fireplace in winter, and head out to the giant terrace in summer. Londerzeel - www.hetbrouwershuis.be

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Brewery De Vlier

It may look like an average home, but brewer Marc Andries has opened a small café in his brewery where you can sample beers every other Saturday. His most famous beer is Kessel Blond, but his appetizer beers with Champagne yeast are definitely worth a taste. Holsbeek - www.devlier.com

farmbrewery Hof ten Dormaal Flavour is experimented with aplenty at Hof ten Dormaal, using its own hops, barley and wheat. Every unique sensation is best tasted in the little café in the courtyard farm. It is open every Saturday afternoon. Haacht - www.hoftendormaal.com

inn brewery Loterbol Every weekend you will find brewer Marc Beirens working in the old buildings of De Brouwketel Brewery. During the first Saturday of the month, he lets you have a taste in the brewery’s café. Diest - www.loterbol.be

BEER / 29 brEwers

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30 / Beer gastronomy

BEER / 31 gastronomy

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Beer gastronomy Kwinten de Paepe

Leuven’s restaurants pull out all the stops with the tastiest beer menus

INTERVIEW

“Don’t underestimate the culinary power of beer,” says Chef Kwinten De Paepe. Beer is always within reach in his kitchen, just as it is in the kitchens of many other Leuven chefs.

the CULINARY culinary THE Power OFof BEER beer POWER

Accompanying a menu or as the proven ingredient in an exceptional dish, beer has many uses in the kitchen. Chef Kwinten De Paepe is all too happy to prove this in his trendy restaurant Trente. He believes that “a well-chosen beer gives a classic dish a completely different dimension. Beer gives taste, aroma and personality to a dish.” Geuze is one of his favourite ingredients. “That complex, mildly acidic taste of old Geuze is a gift to any chef. Delicious with pork if you use it together

with mustard. Wheat beer gives starters a fresh, acidic accent. Brown beers in turn give desserts a sweet, slightly bitter and caramelised taste. Beer is so versatile.” Leuven’s chefs have taken this to heart. Throughout the year, they serve special beer menus with the most delicious beer-based dishes or appropriate beers as surprising accompaniment. In both classic brasserie cooking and innovative gastronomy. Enjoy!

You can find the dishes made with beer in these restaurants at www.leuven.be/beercapital

City cocktail by

Jeroen Meus Head chef and native of Leuven Jeroen Meus came up with a lively city cocktail based on Stella ­Artois. Try it!

For 1 glass: »» 1,25 cl vodka »» 1,25 cl fresh lime juice »» 2,5 cl Fraise des Bois or Crème de Cassis »» 5 cl Stella Artois from a bottle Serve in a jockey glass with crushed ice and mint leaves.

Trente

DE KLIMOP

Muntstraat 36 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-20 30 30 www.trente.be

Martelarenplein 5 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-22 86 21 www.deklimopleuven.be

Kokoon

BELUGA

‘s Meiersstraat 1 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-23 07 26 www.kokoon.be

Krakenstraat 13 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-23 43 93 www.restaurantbeluga.com

ZARZA

DOMUS

Bondgenotenlaan 92 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-20 50 05 www.zarza.be

Tiensestraat 8 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-20 14 49 www.domusleuven.be

DE DIJLEMOLENS

DE VALCK

Zwarte Zusterstraat 16 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-50 26 76 www.dijlemolens.be

Tiensestraat 10 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-22 13 97 www.devalck.be

De BLAUWE SCHUIT

IMPROVISIO

Vismarkt 16 3000 Leuven T. +32 (0)16-22 05 70 www.deblauweschuit.be

Brusselsestraat 63b 3000 Leuven T. + 32 (0)16-20 76 46 www.improvisio.net

All delicious beers

Beers of Flemish Brabant

So many beers, so many flavours to discover. And to taste the beer is to taste the local area, since Flemish Brabant also has plenty of variety to offer: from the hills of the rural Hageland to the parks, gardens and castles of the Green Belt, with the art and beer city of Leuven in between. Visit Flemish Brabant at www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/en

B BEER / 35 BEER IS SEXY

B ee r

history On these clay tablets found in the Syrian city of Ebla, archaeologists discovered one of the oldest beer recipes and beer laws. At that time, beer could only be brewed and drunk by priestesses in honour of their goddess.

y x e s s i Beer a man’s drink? In ancient Babylonia, only the priestesses were permitted to brew and drink beer in honour of their goddess. In the Middle Ages too, brewing was purely woman’s work. “The experience of beer, the tastes and the smells, that’s all woman,” says Sofie Vanrafelghem, amateur brewer, beer author and lover. “Beers are sexy!” ‘Vurige Fie’. The beer Sofie brews herself typifies her when she talks about her passion. She has a devout mission: to share her love of beer with women. After all, out of sight, out of mind, she says. “In cafés or restaurants women prefer to choose wine of ­dubious quality than a fine beer. Yet beer has a much broader range of tastes. Is it not ­elegant? Not feminine? Yes it is. Serve beer in a wine glass and straight away you have a different experience.”

Women’s beer? Major brewery groups have already understood. Carlsberg and S ­ ABMiller have taken on more female beer tasters because women’s senses of taste and smell are generally better developed. “There’s no such thing as a typical women’s beer. The cliché says that women mainly go for sweet Kriek beers, but often there simply isn’t an alternative. At each tasting I notice how enthusiastically women react to the different tastes. Their choices vary con-

Sofie Vanrafelghem amateur brewer, beer author and lover

that the English word ‘brewer’ didn’t exist before 1600? A historian from Oxford University discovered that between 1300 and 1600 there were many brewsters, but no brewers. Brewing was a women-only thing, like washing and cooking. Only when the first commercial breweries emerged did men get involved. Even now, brewing is a culinary activity. You follow a recipe and work magic with tastes and flavours, and happily women are again discovering the art of brewing.” So how so, beer a man thing?

siderably. One goes for sweet and dark, another chooses sour or bitter.” But Sofie still has much to do. “If as a woman you order a strong abbey beer in a bar or restaurant, it’s served to the man at the table. Advertising and marketing are directed towards men. And yet the experience of beer, the nuances of taste and the recipes, belong more to the world of women. The hospitality industry is beginning to understand this, and more and more restaurants are serving beer in nice glasses as an accompaniment to meals, for men and women.”

Brewster, not brewer Once, beer was purely woman’s work. On clay tablets found in the Syrian city of Ebla, archaeologists found one of the oldest beer recipes and beer laws. “At that time, beer could only be brewed and drunk by priestesses in honour of their goddess,” says Sofie. “Later, beer remained woman’s work. Did you know

There’s no such thing as a typical women’s beer. The cliché says that women mainly go for sweet Kriek beers, but often there simply isn’t an alternative.

What is Sofie’s favourite Beer from Flemish Brabant? Hanssens Artisanaal Oude Geuze. ‘Sidy Hanssens is the only female Geuze maker and she’s doing a fantastic job. Moreover, real Geuze smells of sweaty feet or stale socks, but Sidy describes the smell as steamy lovemaking,’ Sofie smiles.

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Tasting beer

Pulling beer

How’s it done?

hoe How’s doeitje done? dat?

“Deeper tastes, more variation in alcohol content, and above all fantastic with food,” says beer expert Jef van den Steen. Surprise yourself with a beer and a delicious meal. And Jef should know. He is a beer expert, beer brewer, beer author and - it has to be said - mad Jef van den Steen about beer. “In wine there are nuances of taste that can only really be tasted by experts. The taste of beer has more extremes: you have sour, sweet and bitter and every possible combination of these. Some typical Flemish Brabant products - chicory

and asparagus - taste wonderfully bitter. Wine doesn’t go with them, but beer does,” says Jef. “We have the best beers in the world. So serve them at the table.”

One or two golden rules? “Respect the alcohol content. Start with a beer with little alcohol and work up with each stage of the menu. For example, if you serve a strong Tripel as an aperitif, a Pils with the main course will taste too weak. And respect the intensity of taste: an intense dish de-

mands an intense beer.”

Beer cocktails Jef has written many books about beer, even one about beer cocktails. “You can make great cocktails with beer. One third Geuze and two thirds champagne: phenomenally tasty. Or try a Kruvel: half Duvel and half Kriek. You won’t often see a beer cocktail on the menu in Belgium. Nevertheless, since we have so many beers, there’s something to everyone’s taste.”

Leuven’s Allaine Schaiko feels at home behind the tap. And he always serves the perfect pint with a natural flair and a pleasant chat. Truly perfect because Allaine is the 2012 beer tapping world champion. He prefers to tap Stella Artois, but Allaine gives every beer preferential treatment. “A well-tapped pint tastes better,” he tells us. “That’s why bartenders are the ambassadors for every beer brand that flows from the taps. It is an art to serve a beer the way the brewer intended.”

More than technique But this world champion knows technique isn’t everything. “Style, friendliness, pleasure in your work, passion. If you’ve got it and exude it, the customer will feel at home in the café. During the world championships in Montréal, there were bartenders tapping technically perfectly, but with no flair. I tapped pints there with the same pleasure as I do behind the bar of ’t Archief café in Leuven. With success!”

Pride

Look

Listen

Smell

Taste

Swallow

What colour is the froth? How thick and how fine is the head? Determine the colour and clarity of the beer. Inspect the carbon dioxide: are the bubbles small or large?

Listen to how the bubbles of carbon dioxide in the froth pop. This tells you how quickly the froth will dissolve.

Your nose is where you sense aroma. A hint of fruit? A suggestion of cognac? You can even smell the sickly sweet smell of alcohol with a little practice.

Take a sip and roll the beer around your mouth. Taste sour, sweet and bitter, and the intensity and relationship of these tastes.

In contrast to wine tasting, you should swallow beer. The carbon dioxide expands on heating in your throat, lodging for a second in your nose. The aftertaste helps determine the character of the beer.

Allaine Schaiko

The commercial engineering student tapped his first pints in the Oude Markt to pay for his studies. Now he travels the world as a Stella Artois ambassador. “It’s an honour to represent the beer and the city of Leuven. It makes me swell with pride to see how much trouble the people in Singapore or Hong Kong go to in order to tap a perfect Leuven pint. Leuven is the undisputed global capital of beer.”

BEER / 37 Pulling Beer

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The cleaning

The offering

Rinse the glass in cold water.

Open the tap in one smooth movement and let the initial froth drain away.

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The swirling alchemy

The head

Hold the glass under the tap at an angle of 45 degrees.

Gradually straighten the glass and drop it down a little for a perfect head.

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The removal

The decapitation

Close the tap and don’t let the last few drops fall into the glass.

Remove the surplus froth with a skimmer. The head should be three centimetres.

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The final cleaning

The presentation

Rinse the base and sides of the glass.

Place the glass on a cardboard coaster, with the logo facing the customer

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38 / BEER bruegel

BEER / 39 Bruegel

Through the eyes of Bruegel Is there Lambic in the pitchers of the painting The Peasant Wedding by Pieter Bruegel the Elder? Perhaps! In the 16th century, Bruegel set up his easel in the Pajottenland & the Zenne valley, the birthplace of Lambic. In the last years of his life, his Brussels period, he took ­inspiration from the landscape. Many elements therefore appear in his paintings. On the Bruegel Walk in Dilbeek you will find 11 reproductions of paintings in which you will recognise the landscape through which you are walking. Or follow the Bruegel cycle route and meet even more reproductions en route. More information at

www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be and www.dilbeekserfgoed.be

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40 / BEER bed & beer

BEER / 41 bed & beer

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A pleasant stay in a

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Enjoying Belgian Beers A stylish hotel in a lovely 16th-century building. A tasting at the Klooster Bar, a beer-based lunch in the M-café and a booklet on regional beers.

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Bed & Beer 6

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Park Inn by Radisson Leuven Hotel

Leuven Beer stories Enjoy a tasty beer and a beer walking route in the city. The hotel itself is brand new, close to the station.

onze-lieve-vrouwstraat 18 3000 Leuven

Martelarenlaan 36 3010 Leuven

www.martinshotels.com

www.parkinn.com /hotel-leuven

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Obviously you also get the ‘Breakfast’ as well, but these beer packages have much more to offer than a room and breakfast. You can find all the info on their websites hun websites.

Martin’s Klooster

Nokernote

Local beer, gastronomy and nature Original and sensually stimulating package stay with a visit to the Vissenaken brewery - with tasting - and a dinner in the Gempemolen. Romeinsebaan 55 3300 Vissenaken

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B&B Jennekenshof

NO SMALL BEER Taste an Aarschot regional beer as a welcome aperitif and enjoy a three-course menu in the Moedermeule.

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Begijnhof Hotel

Beer and beguines A wonderful night in the gorgeous Groot Begijnhof awaits you after a tasting in the Domus city brewery.

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Bed & Bokes

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Life in the brewery Immersion in the Diest beer tradition with a tasting, journey of discovery and delicious dinner.

Groot Begijnhof 15 3000 Leuven

Kriekelswarande 1 3290 Schaffen-Diest

www.bchotel.be

www.bedenbokes.be

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Hoevehotel Klein Nederlo

Beer and delight This tasty three-course dinner is based on Lindemans beer. After a sweet night, you’ll receive a beer gift to take home.

With appropriate beers A delicious three-course dinner with appropriate beers and a night in a cosy city hotel on the Martelarenplein. Martelarenplein 6 3000 Leuven www.laroyale.be

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Alpha Hotel 9

Taste of tienen Discover the Hageland around Tienen, with a trek through Het Vinne’s nature and a delicious tasting at ’t Nieuwhuys brewery.

Jennekensstraat 100 3200 Aarschot

Leuvensestraat 95 3300 Tienen

www.jennekenshof.be

www.alphahotel.be

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Leuven

www.nokernote.be

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La Royale

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Hof te Spieringen

Romantic beer weekend Start with a beer-based three-course dinner and then a lovely romantic night in a charming farmstead.

Appelboomstraat 196-198 1602 Vlezenbeek

Langestraat 42 1570 Vollezele

www.kleinnederlo.be

www.hoftespieringen.be

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Hotel New Damshire

Discover Leuven, the city of beers You’ll sleep in the heart of the city and sample a beer at the bar. Use your combination ticket to admire art in the M-Museum Leuven, the Town Hall and the Library Tower. schapenstraat 1 3000 leuven hotelnewdamshire.be

These packages are valid subject to availability until the end of 2015.

Brussels

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42 / BEer bapas

BEER / 43 beer visits

Bapas, tapas for beer Everyone has heard of Spanish tapas. And the regional beers of Flemish Brabant are world famous. What do you get if you combine the two? Delicious bapas, the perfect snack with a foaming head of beer.

Caramelised ribs & Affligem dubbel 20 minutes (+ 2 hours’ preparation)

Ingredients (serves 6) ww 12 ribs ww sesame oil ww sesame seed For the marinade: ww 20 cl olive oil ww juice of 2 limes ww 8 cl Teriyaki sauce ww 2 sticks lemongrass ww 6 cloves garlic ww salt and pepper For the caramel sauce: ww 4 dessertspoons honey ww 1 dessertspoon water ww 3 dessertspoons marinade ww 1 dash rice vinegar

Affligem Dubbel

You will find more recipes in the book “Bapas, Belgische biertapas” by Karl Van Malderen, Sven Gatz and Jan Pille. www.bapas.be

A ruby-red beer with a slight spiciness that drinks well. With secondary fermentation in the bottle.

Alternative beer Grimbergen Dubbel

Preparation 1 Make your marinade by placing all the ingredients in a large glass bowl. Place the ribs in the marinade for 2 hours. 2 Remove the ribs from the marinade and pat them dry with kitchen paper. 3 Heat the sesame oil in a casserole and fry the ribs for 10 minutes until almost cooked through. Turn the ribs regularly to prevent them burning. 4 At the end of the cooking process, bring 3 dessertspoons of marinade, 4 dessertspoons of honey, 1 dessertspoon of water and the rice vinegar to the boil in a saucepan until you obtain a syrupy caramel sauce that trickles off the spoon. 5 Pour the caramel sauce over the ribs in the casserole and shake them well to distribute the caramel evenly over the ribs. Remove the casserole from the heat after 1 minute. 6 Toast the sesame seeds over a low heat in a dry skillet or frying pan. Scatter some sesame seeds over the ribs.

BEER VISITS FOR grOUPS A brewery visit with a delicious tasting session? A walk or bicycle ride past authentic beer cafés? A cookery workshop with beer? In Flemish Brabant and Leuven, you can book the most fantastic beer visits for groups. Hoegaarden: over a beer Discover the former glory of a brewer’s life and sample the tastiest Hoegaarden beers. The programme includes 4 local cafés, 4 beers,

appetizers and an enjoyable explanation by a local guide. A tip: combine this walk with a visit to the ’t Wit Gebrouw visitors’ centre.

bapas for groups Has the recipe on this page hooked you? Then follow a workshop with nutrition expert Karl Van Malderen. He will teach you about the beer’s flavour components and why bapas are an ideal combination, thanks to the food-pairing method. You’ll work in a small group like a real chef, sous-chef or sommelier. And then: enjoy!

Beertours in Leuven With the ‘the brewery life in Le(u)ven’ city game you can explore the beer city of Leuven by bicycle or kickbike, or on foot. The game takes you past breweries old and new. Fun photo assignments and a beer tasting make it a relaxed group activity.

Palm Breweries’ Hops sessions How is beer brewed? What gives it flavour? When was the first pint tapped? And how do you taste and serve a beer? A professional will reveal all beer’s secrets during this interesting presentation. He will also treat your senses to a tasting of five beers and - if you’d like - five appropriate cheeses. Meer informatie over deze en veel andere groepsbezoeken vind je op www.toerismevlaams­ brabant.be/uitingroep www.leuven.be/beercapital

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44 / BEER BREWERIES

a n o v e r v i e w of

a li ln F bl e rm i es hwB rea bra in te s Affligem Brewery

Brewery 3 Fonteinen

The fathers of the abbey of Affligem had such great faith in the De Smedt family brewery that they entrusted them with their centuries-old beer recipes.

Armand Debelder grew up among the Lambic and Geuze of his father’s brewery and continued the craft with an excellent knowledge of the business.

Opwijk www.affligembeer.be Beers Affligem Blond, Dubbel, Tripel, Noel, Cuvée, Patersvat, Op-Ale

Brewery DE KROON Father and son team Freddy and Filip – both doctors specialised in beer – have transformed the old De Kroon brewery into a literally bubbling beer centre. And son Peter manages the sales. Neerijse brouwerijdekroon.be

Delvaux, Job, Super Kroon Beers

Beersel www.3fonteinen.be

3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze, Oude geuze vintage, Oude Kriek, Oude Schaarbeekse Kriek, Armand’4 lente, zomer, herfst, winter, Beersel Blond, Beersel Lager, Doesjel, Hommage, Zwet.be

Brewery Broeder Jacob Johan Claes and Bruno Verbiest breathed new life into the tradition of village beers. Rotselaar www.broederjacob.com

Broeder Jacob Bruin, Tripel Double Espresso Beers

Beers

Frank Boon converted an old Geuze maker into a modern Lambic brewery with respect for the centuries-old tradition. Lembeek www.boon.be

Geuze Boon, Kriek Boon, Faro Boon, Framboise Boon, Geuze Mariage Parfait, Kriek Mariage Parfait, Oude geuze Boon, Oude Kriek Boon, Jack-Op, Duivels Bier Beers

A micro-brewery with a family feel: here, father Jan and son Bert Symons fill the fermentation tank. Linden www.brouwerijdeschuur.wordpress. com

Henricus De Block acquired the right to make beer in the 14th century, and since then brewing has been in the family’s blood. To this day. www.satanbeer.com

Dendermonde, Kastaar, Satan Gold, Satan Red, Special 6 Beers

Brewery Haacht

After years of wandering round breweries, engineer Marc Andries converted his passion into his own brewery.

This independent family brewery is the third largest in the country. The mineral water from its own spring and original recipes produce worldfamous beers.

Holsbeek www.brouwerij-devlier.com

Kessel 69, Kessel Blond, Kessel X-mas, Brut, Ferme Framboos, Gulden Delle, Carrousel, Holsbeek Lente Tripel Beers

Brewery Den Herberg Bart Devillé and Ann Heremans pull their own delicious brews in Den Herberg café. Halle www.denherberg.be Beers Den Herberg Blond, Amber, Bruin, Tarwe, Tripel

Meneer, Nikolaas Tripel Beers

Brewery De Block

Merchtem

Brewery Boon

Brewery De Schuur

Brewery De Vlier

Traditional Geuze and exotic tastes is a surprising but delicious combination, as the De Troch brewery proves. Ternat www.detroch.be Beers Chapeau Abricot, Banana, Fraise, Framboise, Kriek, Lemon, Mirabel, Peche, Exotic, Chapeau Cuvée Oude Geuze, Chapeau Faro, Gueuze, Wintergeuze

www.haacht.com

Primus, Export 8, Adler, Keizer Karel Goud Blond, Keizer Karel Robijn Rood, Ommegang Keizer Karel, Prior Tongerlo, Tongerlo Blond, Tongerlo Bruin, Tongerlo Christmas, Mystic Krieken, Mystic Limoen, Mystic Perzik, WHITE by Mystic, Gildenbier, Speciale 1900, Star Beers

Brewery Hoegaarden Hoegaarden and beer are inseparably linked thanks to the famous white beer.

Brewery Hof ten Dormaal

Brewery Mort Subite

Brewery Oud Beersel

A real farm brewery: hops and barley are homegrown, and even the power comes from their own rape seed.

Beer has been brewed in the picturesque heart of Kobbegem since at least 1604. The name “Mort Subite” comes from the last throw in the game “pitjesbak”.

Beer lover Gert Christiaens could not stomach the fact that his favourite beer was in danger of disappearing and took over the Oud Beersel brewery himself.

Haacht hoftendormaal.com

Blond and braun beers aged in barrels of brandy, whisky, sherry, armagnac,... Hof ten Dormaal Blond, Amber, Bruin, Wit Goud, Zure van Tildonk Beers

Brewery Kortrijk-Dutsel

Jürgen Bessendorffer brews the perfect aperitif beer on an idyllic site in the rolling green of Hageland. Holsbeek www.brouwerijkort­ rijkdutsel.be Beers

Kortrijk-dUtsel

Hoegaarden

Brewery Girardin Brewery De Troch

Boortmeerbeek

A genuine farm-brewery: the Girardin family makes Lambiek from homegrown grain. Sint-Ulriks-Kapelle Faro Girardin, Faro Lambiek Girardin, Framboise Girardin, Gefilterde Gueuze Girardin, Kriek Girardin, Kriekenlambiek Girardin, Lambik Girardin (jong), Lambik Girardin (oud), Ongefilterde Gueuze Girardin, Ulricher

www.hoegaarden.com

Hoegaarden witbier, Hoegaarden Speciale, Hoegaarden Rosée, Hoegaarden Grand Cru, Hoegaarden Citron, Verboden Vrucht Beers

Beers

Brewery ­Lindemans Cousins Geert and Dirk Lindemans are maintaining a two hundred year old family tradition. Sint-Pieters-Leeuw

Brewery Montaigu Gunther Bensch brings his love for his town and beer together in a few artisanal brews. Zichem Birr White IPA, Nondedju, Notre Passion, 400 Quadrigenti, Beker 9, Drunk Munk Serie’s, Lobosbier Beers

BEER / 45 BREWERIES

www.lindemans.be

Geuze Cuvée René Lindemans, Kriek Cuvée René Lindemans, Gueuze Lindemans, Pecheresse Lindemans, Kriek Lindemans, Apple Lindemans, Cassis Lindemans, Framboise Lindemans, Faro Lindemans, Beers

Asse

Beersel

www.mort-subite.be

www.oudbeersel.com

Mort Subite Framboos Original, Mort Subite Oude Kriek, Oude Geuze, Original Gueuze, Original Kriek, Xtreme Framboise, Xtreme Kriek, Witte Lambiek, on barrel: Faro, Xtrem perzik

Bersalis Tripel, Oude Kriek Oud Beersel, Oude Geuze Oud Beersel, Bersalis Kadet, Framboise

Beers

Brewery natte lore Several of Leuven’s hobby brewers have developed their own special beer, and the result is very tasty. They outsource the large amounts to the Anders Brewery.

Beers

Brewery Van CAMPENHOUT Brewer Kris Smedts, a descendant of a family of brewers from Kampenhout, and his wife Mieke breathed new life into his father’s old brewery, De Biertoren. Kampenhout www.brouwerijvancampenhout.be Beers

Leuven

Witlov 6, Witlov 9

www.facebook.com/ Nattelore Beers

Hors Saison

Brewery opus magnum Gerrit Versyck and Raf Swevers started their own opus magnum in the spring of 2012: they created their own beer. They are letting the Anders Brewery brew their recipe. Blanden www.brouwerijopusmagnum.be Beers

Egotrippel

Brewery

For individual visits

For group visits

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46 / BEER BREWERIES

BEER / 47 BREWERIES

Brewery Timmermans

Brewery Vissenaken

A household name in the Pajottenland since Jacobus Walravens brewed his first Lambic in 1702. A fun piece of trivia: the people on the labels are actual employees.

Beer enthusiast Rudy Scheys has a vision. The goal is not to make a profit, but the love of beer and sharing brewing knowledge.

Dilbeek www.brtimmermans.be Beers Bourgogne des Flandres Blond, Bourgogne des Flandres Bruin, Faro Lambic, Framboise Lambic, Gueuze Lambic, Kriek Lambic, Kriek Retro, Lambicus Blanche, Oude Gueuze, Oude Kriek, Pêche Lambic, Strawberry Lambic

Brewery traagwater Brewing without commercial concessions, just honest flavours and aromas. Heverlee www.traagwater.eu

Hector Tripel, Rogier, Rogier Winter Beers

Brewery Vercauteren Alfons Vercauteren took up the thread of a long family tradition, and his sons Johan and Bert also have the taste for it. Londerzeel brouwerijvercauteren.be Beers

Kossaat

Tienen www.vissenaken. info/brouwerij Beers De Nacht, Fasso, Himelein, Toneelbier, Meetsel

BreweryDistellery Craywinckelhof Brewer and expert on Scotland Louis Schrevens originally wanted to distil whisky, but used the same ingredients to start brewing beer first. This has produced an entire series of strong and hoppy beers. Lubbeek craywinckelhof.be

Inn Brewery Loterbol The former town breweries De Brouwketel and Brewery Duysters live on, feeding off the Diest beer tradition. Diest www.loterbol.be

Loterbol 6°, Loterbol 8° blond, Loterbol 8° bruin, Sint-Jan, Tuverbol 11°, Roodebol Beers

A few friends got the taste for brewing and, with their artisan brewery, pay tribute to the wolf that once roamed the woods of the Hageland.

Geuze maker De Cam

Inn Brewery Nieuwhuys

Geuze maker Karel Goddeau transforms artisanal Lambic from local breweries with great patience into sparkling Geuze.

Aarschot www.brouwerijwolf.be Beers

Wolf 7, Wolf 8, Wolf 9

Hoegaarden’s smallest brewery in the oldest house in the village, including a cosy café. Hoegaarden www.nieuwhuys.be

Brewery Bueckenholt Joris Recko and Koen Peeters won a competition for amateur brewers in 2012 with their brew. The winning recipe is now being produced by Anders Brewery. Herent www.bueckenholt.be Beers

Bueckenholt Belge

Alpaïde, Rosdel, Alpaïde Cuvée van de Generaal

Gooik www.oudecam.com

Faro De Cam, Oude Geuze De Cam, Oude Krieken Lambiek De Cam, Oude Lambiek De Cam Beers

Beers

De Kale Ridders Six friends with a love of brewing give Landen its own beer. Landen www.tumulus.biz

Surplus, Tumulus 800, Tumulus Aura, Tumulus Magna, Tumulus Nera Beers

Sandra Mannaerts blew new life into the wedding beer that her father created for her wedding. Her father’s passed away, but his beer is still alive and well. Nieuwrode www.gibrit.be

Nivoo Blond, Nivoo Bruin Beers

Geuze maker Tilquin

KraaiKe Gouden, Amber, Tripel Blond, Tripel Donker, Metteko, Zomerbier, Winterbier Beers

Brewery Wolf

Gibrit

Geuze maker Hanssens artisan Sidy Hanssens makes Geuze with the same passion as her great-grandfather. Beersel Beers Hanssens Artisanaal Oude Geuze, Hanssens Artisanaal Oude Kriek, Oudbeitje

Pierre Tilquin started the very first Geuze maker in Wallonia in 2009, in the Zenne Valley, right on the language and provincial border with Flemish Brabant. Bierghes (Rebecq) gueuzerietilquin.be Beers Oude Geuze Tilquin, Oude Quetsche Tilquin, Gueuze Tilquin van ‘t vat

Homebrewery Domus The beer flows via pipes from the brewery straight to the cosy café within the historic heart of Leuven. Leuven www.domusleuven.be

Con Domus, Nostra Domus, Seizoensbier Beers

Homebrewery Lestedröppel

Micro-Brewery Angerik

City Brewery Aarschot

The municipality of Linter asked the local Lestedröppel brewery to develop a delicious regional product, with success!

Gravity does its work as it always has: the installation of micro-brewery Angerik is arranged vertically and no pumps are used.

The beer guild ’t Alternatief brings the ancient Aarschot beer back to life at the cultural site Het Gasthuis.

Linter

Dilbeek

www.walsberger.com

Walsberger Dubbel, Walsberger Blond Beers

Boerke Amber, Boerke Donker, Boerke Krieken Beers

kartuis Wilfried Vierendeel from the restaurant De Eglantier was inspired to have a beer brewed based on the old recipe created by the Carthusian fathers in Herne.

Palm Breweries The Brabant Draft horse on the glass shows the strength and pride of the Palm beers. Londerzeel pa l m b r e w e r i e s .c o m

Halle www.karthuis.be

Kartuis Blond, Kartuis Bruin Beers

Dobbel Palm, Estaminet Premium Pils, Palm, Palm Hop Select, Palm Royale Beers

Micro-­Brewery Den Triest A brewery that uses only pure, natural ingredients and home-grown hops. Available to taste in the cosy occasional café. Kapelle-op-den-Bos www.dentriest.be

Brutte Triest, De Neus, Den Triest Blond, Den Triest Dubbel, Den Triest IPA, Den Triest Tripel, Green hopping, Kerstbier, Kesse Beers

Aarschot

toerismeaarschot.be Beers

Aarschotse Bruine

Stella Artois / AB Inbev The world’s largest brewery group has its headquarters in Leuven, where its rich brewing tradition began. Leuven www.ab-InBev.be

Belle-Vue Extra Kriek, Belle-Vue Framboise, Belle-Vue Gueuze, Belle-Vue Kriek, Belle-Vue Kriek Classique, Ginder-Ale, Stella Artois Beers

Promaco Vision Tienen native Miel Mattheus brings old beer recipes back to life, and in doing so, revives a piece of forgotten Tienen heritage. Tienen www.tiensekweiker. handelsgids.be Beers Tiense Kweiker Amber, Donker, Ginseng, Tripel, Tiense Zoeg, Tiens Schaap

Brewery wit peerd ‘t Wit Peerd Brewery closed its doors in 1850, but its current resident Peter Buelens – not to be confused with Palm Breweries’ Peter Buelens – got an urge to bring the beer back to life. Londerzeel

www.witpeerd.be Beers

Wit Peerd Amber

More info on visiting times and conditions at www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be and www.leuven.be/beercapital

beer Brewed Carefully, To be Discovered With Care

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Beer Diary

48 / Bier PLACE TO BE(ER)

april

leuven the place to BE(ER) Beer capital Leuven opens all the taps during the last weekend of April.

the square and the city’s most famous beer cafés pull out all the stops and offer an exceptional selection of special beers. Essential for all beer lovers!

Beer capital Leuven opens all the taps during the last weekend of April. With zesty beer walks, surprising tastings and creative workshops, Leuven is more than ever the place to be(er). Domus’s homebrewery and the world’s biggest brewer, AB Inbev, give you a look inside their beer boilers. Leuven’s restaurants spoil you with an incredible beer menu, with beer both in and accompanying the dishes. The beer in the Oude Markt never stops flowing, but during this beer weekend, the cafés on

zythos Beerfestival

Tour de Geuze

Geuze all year round

During this biennial event, the Lambiek breweries and Geuze makers open their doors to the general public. You get a tour and it goes without saying that you can taste the beers. One bus calls in at all the breweries. The next Tour de Geuze is on 3 May 2015.

In the land of Geuze they are so proud of their unique beer that there are celebrations and tastings of it all year round. Take note:

www.toerdegeuze.be

april last Friday

Hapje-Tapje august First weekend

De Nacht van de Grote Dorst («Night of Great Thirst»)

The international Geuze and Kriek festival of the Pajottenland in the beautiful village square of Eizeringen. www.nachtvandegrotedorst.be

The culinary event of Leuven’s city centre, with numerous stands where the city’s restaurants offer the tastiest samples. The Oude Markt is transformed into one big beer market with exclusive beers. During the barmen’s race, the cream of Leuven’s barmen take each other on, and on the Grote Markt gastronomic chefs give an amazing cooking demo.

geuzeneuze A rare, vintage Geuze, various vintages, young and aged beers, mellow Lambics and fresh fruit beers. The Merchtem beer association Geuzeneuze’s beer festival lets you taste an exceptional assortment from all the active Geuze brewers and makers. Appropriate Brueghel appetizers complete the menu.

www.hapje-tapje.be

The Zythos Beer Festival in the Brabanthal is at the top of the bill. All weekend long, you can sample more than 500 beers from 100 different brewers.

www.geuzeneuze.be

november

Dag van de oude geuze («Day of the Old Geuze»)

Discover the genuine old Geuze beers of the Pajottenland and the Zenne valley.

Leuven beerweekend Too much for one day? Definitely, but no worries. This weekend, B&B stands for Bed&Beer because the hotels and B&Bs in the city and the region are offering special beer packages.

BEER / 49 BEER DIARY

www.lambikstoempers.be

www.leuven.be/beercapital www.zbf.be

june

publications Cycling and footpath networks

The Flemish Brabant cycling network map provides you with endless cycling pleasure without missing any of the sights. Just like the surprisingly lovely footpath networks. Order from www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/publicaties

Going out in Flemish Brabant, how about it?

Tourism Flemish Brabant would like to know if you enjoyed your stay  in Flemish Brabant. Share your views with us at:  www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be/peiling

and win a gift voucher worth 150 euros.

colofon This brochure is an initiative of Tourism Flemish Brabant vzw in conjunction with Tourism Leuven / April 2012 – updated: Januari 2014 Concept and editing: Marie Vanhellemont, Gonda Craeninckx, Lucie Vangerven┃Design: Absoluut┃Copywriting: Bart Claes (www.wartaal.be)┃Photos: © Lander Loeckx; Tourism Flemish Brabant; Tourism Leuven; www.straffestreek.be - L. Collet; Marc Sluys; Haacht Brewery; Jan Kempenaers; De Hoorn; Van Halewyck; Andrew Verschetze – artscenic.be; Michael Dehaspe; Danny Van Tricht; Felix Merckx; Bram Belet en Inse Van Rossem - Karl van Malderen, Sven Gatz, Jan Pille, Bapas. Belgische biertapas, Standaard Uitgeverij, 2011; Stef Gilissen; Jokko - Joris Bulckens; Piet Vranckx; Arno Raps, p.46-47 - http://arnoraps.be; www.milo-profi.be; Erfgoedcel Leuven; Marco Mertens - Tussen Pot en Pint; La Royale, Archief AB InBev┃Cartography: Elke Feusels and Tourism Leuven┃Legal deposit: D/2013/4058/09 This brochure has been compiled with the utmost care. Tourism Flemish Brabant vzw is not responsible for any changes and/or inaccuracies in the information. This brochure has been translated from Dutch. Publisher: Tourism Flemish Brabant vzw, Provincieplein 1, 3010 Leuven, company no. 0422.667.404, T +32(0)16 26 76 20, [email protected], www.toerismevlaamsbrabant.be

Meeting Leuven You’ll find the most inspiring venues for your corporate events, incentives, team building and meetings in Flemish Brabant. Meeting Leuven & Vlaams-Brabant - an initiative of Tourism Leuven and Tourism Flemish Brabant in cooperation with KU Leuven - takes your company event to heart. The employees create a customised proposal with the right partner in the right place. And the service is completely free. The most inspiring moments are accompanied by a good beer. So why not hold your meeting in a brewery? A conference among the brewing vats of De Hoorn, birthplace of Stella Artois? Or a brewery visit as an incentive? Everything’s possible! Would you like to test your brewing talent? You can brew your own beer during a brewing workshop. You’ll find a complete overview of the team-building formulas, meeting facilities, conference centres and hotels on the Meeting Leuven & Vlaams-Brabant website. www.meetingleuven.be

How to get to the beer part of Belgium?

NL brussels Flemish brabant

DE

By air Direct connections from all over Europe to: Brussels Airport Zaventem The direct train takes you to the centre of Brussels or Leuven in 15 min. More info at www.brusselsairport.be

Brussels South Charleroi Airport The airport bus takes you to Brussels in 45 min or Leuven in 75. More info at

www.charleroi-airport.com

By train High speed trains connect Brussels South to several European destinations. The extensive railway network will then take you anywhere you want in Flemish Brabant. Brussels to ­Leuven takes 20 minutes. Plan your journey at www.b-rail.be

By car Brussels is within easy reach of major cities such as Amsterdam (224 km), Paris (336 km), London (397 km) and Berlin (745 km). It takes 45 minutes to reach any corner of Flemish Brabant from the centre of Brussels via the Brussels Ring and the E40 and E314 motorways. Brussels to Leuven takes 20 minutes.

By bus De Lijn buses will take you to any corner of the province. More info at www.delijn.be

FR

LU

Brewing has been a central part of Flemish Brabant life for centuries. Discover the region’s rich beer tradition in over 45 small and large breweries, no fewer than 300 regional beers and countless authentic beer cafés. Stay in lovely accommoda­ tion, have a look around a brewery or enjoy a delicious tasting on a sunny Leuven terrace. Why not combine it with a visit to Flemish Brabant as a whole? There is so much to do in the region: beautiful walking and cycling routes, fascinating museums, charming towns, historic heritage and bustling events and festivals. All this in the heart of Belgium, just a stone’s throw from the capital, Brussels.