Thirteen breweries and lambic blenders in Flemish Brabant, are opening their doors to the public as part of a biennial event inviting people to explore the best of Belgian beers.
The event Toer De Geuze, the biggest beer event in Flemish Brabant, will take place again next weekend (Saturday 4 May and Sunday 5 May). It is organised every two years by the High Council for Craft Lambic Beers (Horal) in the Pajottenland and Senne Valley – famous for its high concentration of producers of lambic, a spontaneously fermented beer used as the basis for gueuzes – in the heart of Flanders.
For the 14th edition of the event, the participating lambic breweries and gueuze distilleries will open their doors to the general public on these days, while some brewers will be taking advantage of the opportunity to unveil a few new products.
What to expect
Mort Subite Brewery (Kobbegem) is one of the many locations presenting a unique new product.
In collaboration with Parisian colleague Gallia, it has developed a beer named Silence of the Lambic, combining young lambic brewed in Kobbegem with a chardonnay 'vière' (a beer made from grape must), developed in Paris. This brewery, which will only be open on Sunday, will also entertain guests will all kinds of folk games.
At Brewery Eylenbosch, which for the first time will be open during Toer de Geuze, the public can have a first taste of Oude Gueuze 75cl with 100% Eylenbosch lambic and the Whisky Symphony Gueuze 75cl (Limited Edition). At Hanssens Stekerij, a 100% hand-picked Schaarbeekse Krieken lambic will be served.
For the more adventurous: Brewery Kestemont will be presenting two new lambic beers, one with blood orange and one with bergamot, while at Oud Beersel, two new Sparkling Infused Lambics, one with Grapefruit Peel and another with Salted Tangerine Peel, will be available for tasters.
A previous edition of Toer de Geuze. Credit: Horal
For lovers of spirits, Brewery Lambiek Fabriek will be pouring out Hell & Wild Spiritu-Elle 43%, a spirit made from lambic, cassis and muscaris grape.
At the only none-Flemish location – Walloon producer Tilquin, based in Bierghes (Walloon Brabant) – several fruity versions will be served for tasting, including yellow peach, blackberry-rhubarb, wild cranberry, etc.) as well as a whole variety of gueuzes produced from different grape varieties (Syrah, Pinot noir, gris and Meunier, Riesling, Mourvèdre, etc.).
Meanwhile, most locations also organise a wide range of events, including live music and entertainment for children. At Boon Brewery, the third edition of the iconic Geuze Boon Jogging will take place, taking runners through the brewery hall, the feed warehouses and some surprising locations in Lembeek.
People do not need to purchase a ticket for this event, but every brewery will charge their own price for the beer tastings. Those without a designated driver can ride along on the shuttle buses that HORAL puts in between the various breweries and Halle and Denderleeuw train stations. This shuttle bus is free but a reservation is required.
Find more information here.
