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 The largest gueuze brewer |
43 Quai de Hainaut Brussels 1080 Belgium +32 (0)2 410 1935 http://www.inbev.com/ |
Gueuze-lambic, the traditional Brussels beer, is still produced by two brewers within the city: the artisan Cantillon and the semi-industrial Belle-Vue (daughter of Interbrew, the world's second largest brewery). A tour lasts 1.5 hours starting with an audio-visual presentation, and then it really gets exciting. You descend into the cellars, where many thousands of huge oak casks filled to the brim with lambic quietly ferment (and yes, you may taste!). In spite of the size of operations of this brewery, this is still basically is artisan's work. Belle-Vue still employs its own coopers, whose workplace you will also visit. The tour ends in the brewery's homely tavern, where you will taste a few of its great beers. Admission cost depends on the size of the group. It's better to call in advance. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: lizzlebob  |
 Photo: lizzlebob |
 Photo: Tim Cederman |
 Photo: Chad Paynter |
 Photo: Christian Kadluba |
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The last artisanal brewer in town |
56 Rue Gheude Brussels 1070 Belgium +32 (0)2 521 4928 http://www.cantillon.be/ |
Lambic is the only beer in the world of spontaneous fermentation. In the valley of the Senne brewers just leave their lambic outside for a night, a mysterious bacteria (the bettomanycences bruxellensis) creeps in and the day after fermentation begins. Lambic as such is a bland drink, but it serves as the basis for gueuze, kriek and other popular fruit beers. The Brussels' brewery Belle-Vue (now part of Interbrew) made these brews great, but at the same time changed the original taste. Gueuze is not an easy drink (very sour), Belle-Vue has sweetened it. There are just a few traditional gueuze-breweries that have survived: Cantillon is the last one in Brussels. On Saturdays, there are guided tours in the museum that is next to the brewery and there is a café. Review © 2007, Wcities |