Exploring Belgium's Beer Museum: A Guide To Visiting And Savoring

Belgium is renowned for its beer, and there are many museums dedicated to the history and culture of this beloved beverage. The Belgian Beer World Experience in Brussels is an interactive museum housed in the former Stock Exchange building, where visitors can learn about the history of Belgian beer and discover new brews. The Museum of the Belgian Brewers, also in Brussels, showcases antique brewing equipment and offers beer tastings in its cosy café. Outside of Brussels, the Bruges Beer Experience offers an immersive journey into the world of beer, with a unique collection of beer bottles, cans, mirrors, and advertising. The Timmermans Brewery Museum in Itterbeek provides an insight into traditional brewing methods, while the Belgian Beer Museum in Lustin boasts a collection of 20,000 beer bottles and glasses. Each museum offers a unique perspective on Belgium's rich beer culture, making them well worth a visit for enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.

Ticket prices and opening hours

The Beer Museum of the "Belgian Brewers"

This museum is located in Brussels and is dedicated to preserving the rich tradition of Belgian beer. It is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The ticket price is €5 and includes entry and a beer at the bar. A group of at least 10 people can enter for €4 each.

Belgian Beer World Experience

The Belgian Beer World Experience is an interactive and immersive museum dedicated to Belgian beer culture. It is located at Boulevard Anspach 80, 1000 Brussels, and is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The ticket price includes a free 50cl beer of your choice at the Skybar, as well as various tasting experiences throughout the tour. The price is not mentioned on their website, but reviews suggest that it is good value for money.

Museum of the Belgian Brewers

The Museum of the Belgian Brewers is the national museum of beer in Belgium. It is located at Grand-Place 10, 1000 Brussels City. While their opening hours and ticket prices are not mentioned, reviews suggest that the entry fee is €5 and includes a beer tasting experience.

Location and contact information

The Beer Museum, also known as the House of Belgian Brewers, is located in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. Its address is Grand-Place 10, 1000 Brussels, City. The museum is within walking distance of the Grand-Place, a lively neighbourhood with a pedestrian zone.

For public transportation, you can take the tram to the "Bourse" station, which is right in front of the museum. If you are travelling by car, there are parking lots available around the Grand-Place.

The museum's contact information includes:

• Email: beer​mu​se​um​@be or info@belgianbrewers.be
• Phone: 29 63 65 66 48 95 33
• Website: www.beer​mu​se​um​.be or www.belgianbrewers.be

In addition to the Beer Museum, there are several other beer-related museums and experiences in Belgium, including:

• Belgian Beer World: Located at Boulevard Anspach 80, 1000 Brussels, in the former Stock Exchange building.
• Bruges Beer Experience: A major attraction in Bruges that offers an immersive and interactive experience, including beer tasting.
• Timmermans Brewery Museum, Brussels: Features vintage brewing equipment and a tour of the original brewhouse.
• Belgian Beer Museum, Lustin: Curated by the local beer tasting society, Guilde des Tâte-Bières, with a collection of 20,000 beer bottles and glasses.
• The Museum of the Belgian Brewers, Brussels: Located in the Brewers' House on the Grote Markt/Grand'Place, showcasing the history, tradition, and culture of beer and brewing in Belgium.
• The Lambiek Visitors' Centre, Alsemberg: Showcases the history and production of Lambiek beer, with a focus on spontaneous fermentation and maturation in wooden casks.
• Hop Museum, Poperinge: Housed in the old Municipal Scales building, featuring ancient and modern hop-related equipment and exhibits.
• De Snoek Brewery Museum, Alveringem: A unique museum showcasing the 19th-century malting and brewing processes, with a tasting of Snoekbier at the end.
• The Bocholt Brewery Museum: The largest brewery museum in Europe, located in the historic brewer's mansion of the Martens family in Bocholt.
• Schaerbeek Beer Museum: Housed in the workshops of a former vocational college in Schaarbeek, Brussels, featuring vintage advertising signs and a collection of bottles and glasses.

What you'll see and do

The Belgian Beer Museum is located in the heart of Brussels, in the basement of the Brewers' House, a baroque-style building decorated with golden bas-reliefs of barley. Here's what you'll see and do during your visit:

The Museum Exhibits

You'll step back in time as you enter the museum, with exhibits showcasing the rich tradition and history of Belgian beer. See implements, brewing and fermentation tubs, boiling kettles, and antique porcelain. Learn about the latest brewing technology and how it has evolved over the years. Discover the unique steps in crafting beer, from fermenting and maturing to filtration and blending.

The Cosy Cafe

Take a break and transport yourself back in time in the cosy cafe. Here, you'll find old tankards, paraphernalia from old inns, and other memorabilia that bring the past to life. It's the perfect place to relax and enjoy a delicious glass of Belgian beer offered by the brewers.

Interactive and Educational Experiences

The museum offers interactive experiences, such as iPad Minis that guide you through the exhibits, providing information in multiple languages. You can also play games on the iPad to learn about virtual brewing. There are also tasting sessions where you can sample different beers and discover the diverse range of tastes and aromas.

The Roof-top Bar

After exploring the museum, head up to the roof-top bar for stunning views of the city. Enjoy your complimentary beer with a breathtaking panorama of Brussels. It's the perfect way to end your visit and savour the flavours of Belgian beer.

Additional Attractions Nearby

If you're looking for more beer-related attractions, you can visit the Timmermans Brewery Museum, the Belgian Beer Museum in Lustin, or the Lambiek Visitors' Centre in Alsemberg. Each offers a unique perspective on the world of Belgian beer and its rich history.

Reviews and testimonials

The Belgian Beer Museum has received mixed reviews on Tripadvisor, with some visitors feeling disappointed and others finding it worthwhile.

Positive Reviews

Some visitors enjoyed the experience, especially the opportunity to taste different beers. One review mentions that it is a friendly museum with interesting facts about Belgian beer culture. Another review highlights the value for money, stating that the self-guided tour with three tasting beers was a good deal.

The Belgian Beer World Experience, which may be a different attraction, has received more positive reviews, with visitors praising the interactive and engaging nature of the experience, the beautiful historical building, and the stunning views from the rooftop bar.

Negative Reviews

However, several reviews of the Belgian Beer Museum criticise it as a "tourist trap", with some feeling that the entry fee was not worth the experience. One review mentions that there were very few exhibits, only a video playing in a small room, and no information about the history of Belgian beer. Another review describes the museum as a room rather than a museum, with redundant beer-making equipment and no real exhibits.

Neutral Reviews

One review mentions that the museum is small but worth a quick stop, especially to taste the included beer. Another visitor felt that the museum was informative but lacked entertainment value.

Similar attractions

Belgium is home to a plethora of museums dedicated to its rich beer culture and history. Here are some similar attractions to the Beer Museum in Belgium:

Belgian Beer World Experience, Brussels

This interactive museum offers a fun and engaging experience for visitors, with many positive reviews. It is housed in a beautiful historical building and provides an in-depth look at the history of beer and brewing processes. The highlight is the rooftop bar, where visitors can enjoy stunning views of the city while sampling a variety of beers.

Bruges Beer Experience, Bruges

The Bruges Beer Experience is more than just a museum. It offers an immersive journey into the world of beer through sight, sound, smell, and taste. Visitors can use an iPad Mini as their personal guide, exploring the collection of thousands of beer bottles, cans, mirrors, and advertising memorabilia. The experience concludes with a beer tasting session, where you can sample a variety of beers and purchase your favourites.

Timmermans Brewery Museum, Brussels

Timmermans, the oldest brewer of lambiek beers in Belgium, offers a unique museum experience. The collection includes vintage post-war equipment, some dating back a century, as well as antique brewing tools and promotional materials. Visitors can also explore the original brewhouse and witness the traditional artisan brewing process in action. The tour ends with a tasting session of Timmermans and Anthony Martin's wide range of beers.

Belgian Beer Museum, Lustin

This museum, managed by the local beer tasting society, Guilde des Tâte-Bières, boasts a collection of 20,000 beer bottles and glasses, both full and empty. It is housed in a building rich in history, once serving as a relais for workers towing boats along the Meuse River. The museum offers tastings and purchases of thousands of Belgian beers, including obscure and hard-to-find brews.

Museum of the Belgian Brewers, Brussels

Located in the heart of Brussels, this museum showcases the history, tradition, and culture of Belgian beer and brewing. While it may not be the most spacious or modern museum, it provides a cosy and friendly atmosphere. Visitors can explore antique brewing equipment, learn about the latest brewing technologies, and finish their tour with a drink in the museum's café.

Frequently asked questions