This Tour of Flanders Lets You Sleep at Breweries

Among Flanders’ medieval cities, quiet villages and stretches of flat countryside you’ll discover a wealthy beer-making tradition. The area’s brewing heritage dates again to the twelfth century, when consuming water was usually contaminated, and monks would craft ales to offer parishioners with secure hydration. Ten years in the past, Belgian beer tradition was added to Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage record. Now, a couple of breweries double as locations to spend the evening — an amazing excuse for a pilgrimage devoted to Flanders’ favorite tipple.

For some context, begin at Belgian Beer World within the coronary heart of Brussels. Housed within the neoclassical Stock Exchange constructing, La Bourse, the interactive museum takes you thru the historical past of beer tradition within the nation. Along with tastings as you wend your means via the positioning, a go to culminates with a ultimate drink on the rooftop bar, which overlooks town’s primary sq., the Grand-Place.

Easily accessible by prepare from the capital, Het Anker within the medieval metropolis of Mechelen gives stays in one of many nation’s oldest working breweries. The former stockroom has been divided into 22 industrial rooms, the place the bedside tables are customary from beer crates. The ambiance is convivial, with a hostel-style lounge, a kitchen and a merchandising machine promoting bottles brewed on web site. Dine on the brasserie for conventional dishes like bitterballen (deep-fried balls of meat stew), then go to the patio to observe the solar set between silver grain silos.

Around the nook is Mechelen’s Great Beguinage, certainly one of 13 Unesco-listed medieval neighbourhoods in Belgium the place single, impartial ladies may dwell. Stroll beneath its sloped roofs earlier than exploring the remainder of town, as soon as residence to the formidable Margaret of Austria, a Habsburg who formed the area within the early sixteenth century. Learn about her on a tour with Visit Mechelen, passing Grote Markt sq.. Here, you’ll discover the Thirteenth-century Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral and its self-playing carillon, whose hammer-operated bells ring out each jiffy.

A 30-minute prepare journey takes you to Leuven, the unofficial beer capital of Flanders, residence to famed brewer Stella Artois. This college metropolis has a thriving pupil pub tradition, to not point out fashionable eating places like Hop Gastrobar, which has an open kitchen and a beer record so long as a dictionary. Opt for a fruity Oude Rhubarbe Tilquin à l’Ancienne, which pairs fantastically with the barbecued white asparagus.

After lunch, rent a motorbike from native tour operator Leuven Leisure and head out on certainly one of 5 bike-to-brewery trails. One of the shorter routes brings you to the rolling fields of the Haacht municipality, residence to Kraneveldhoeve, a centuries-old farmhouse and brewery lodge. Sip refreshing Dormaal Saison within the tasting room, dominated by an vintage wood bar, earlier than bedding down beneath timber beams.

With further time, take into account heading to Ghent, simply over an hour away by prepare, then taking the bus to Evergem, a quiet municipality exterior of town. Surrounded by farmland within the hamlet of Ertvelde, microbrewery Hopspot gives stays in white-brick rooms. Owned by Brouwerij Van Steenberge, a brewery based in 1784, its bar and brasserie help native farmers and producers. You also can brew your individual beer throughout a day-long workshop, making use of a wide range of Belgian yeast, malts and hops — an ideal finish to your journey.