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The Great Beers of Belgium with Brassigaume Festival

$3,695.00

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* The deposit is refundable less a $50 cancellation fee up to 60 days prior to departure. For cancellations made less than 60 days prior to departure, the full deposit will be forfeited. For cancellations made after final payment, refunds will be made (where possible) according to service contracts and supplier guidelines; these refunds will be based on recoverable expenses. See the full Terms and Conditions here.

Description

The Great Beers of Belgium with Brassigaume Festival — Brussels, Brugge & Antwerp

Belgium makes a very strong case for being “beer heaven.” From your first beer in Brussels until the last one in Antwerp, you’ll experience a wide variety of classic breweries and their great beers in optimum condition. Multi-night stays in Brussels, Brugge and Antwerp — plus a pilgrimage through the Ardennes to visit Trappist breweries in southern Belgium — offer a rich mix of beer and cultural experiences.

There’s plenty of time to explore on your own and take in Belgium’s history, architecture and café culture. Great meals, visits to unique and historic breweries, transportation by rail, private coach and public transit, and well-located hotels are all built into this trip. Lambic, Trappist, saison, Flemish red, strong golden, dubbel, tripel, farmhouse ales — you’ll see (and taste) how they all fit into everyday Belgian life.

Trip facts: 11 days (Day 0–10) · October annually · 9 hotel nights · Brussels → Antwerp · Maximum 15 travelers · from $3,695 land-only (+$785 single, 2026).

Perfect For: Belgian beer lovers who want classic breweries, Brassigaume festival time, Trappist abbeys and enough nights in Brussels, Brugge and Antwerp to feel at home.

11 Days | Maximum 15 Travelers | Brewery-Focused Cultural Travel

Upcoming Departures & Pricing

  • 2026 Tour | October 15 – 25, 2026 | $3,695 | Single Room +$785 | Open
  • 2027 Tour | October 14 – 24, 2027 | TBA | Single Room TBA | Interest List

Departs every year in October. Date span includes Day 0 overnight travel — the trip begins on Day 1 with arrival in Brussels; your first hotel night is Day 1, not on the plane.

Trip Price (land-only, based on double occupancy): $3,695 per person (2026) · Single room add $785 · International airfare not included. 2027 pricing TBA.

2026: Day 0 — Thursday, October 15 · Day 1 — Friday, October 16 (arrive Brussels) · Day 10 — Sunday, October 25 (depart Antwerp after breakfast).

2027: Day 0 — Thursday, October 14 · Day 1 — Friday, October 15 (arrive Brussels) · Day 10 — Sunday, October 24 (depart Antwerp after breakfast).

Prices are listed by departure year and may vary based on hotel, transportation, supplier and currency costs. Your price is confirmed once your deposit has been accepted for a specific departure.

Space is limited to 15 travelers. Most BeerTrips departures often sell out — early reservations are recommended, especially for Brassigaume timing.

Please select your departure year and room type above when joining the trip. Space, pricing and single-room availability are managed separately for each departure.

Join the Trip!

At a Glance

  • Duration: 11 days (Day 0–10) · 9 hotel nights · Day 0 overnight flight; trip begins Day 1 in Brussels
  • Group Size: Maximum 15 travelers
  • Beer Focus: Lambic, Trappist, saison, Flemish red, strong golden ales and farmhouse traditions
  • Pace: Relaxed — brewery visits and beer dinners balanced with castle walks, free afternoons and café time
  • Walking Level: Easy to moderate — cobblestones, historic streets and occasional stairs
  • Transport: Private Beer Bus, European rail and local public transit
  • Overnight Locations: Brussels (2) · Durbuy (1) · Bouillon (1) · Brugge (3) · Antwerp (2)

Why BeerTrips?

For more than 25 years, BeerTrips has helped curious travelers experience great beer destinations through local culture, food, history and the people behind the breweries. Our small-group journeys are designed for travelers who want more than a checklist of sights and tastings.

This itinerary links three of Belgium’s best beer cities — Brussels, Brugge and Antwerp — with a loop through the Gaume and Ardennes for festivals, Trappist abbeys and countryside breweries. We balance brewery visits and beer dinners with castle walks, market squares, canals and cobblestones — scenic drives, guided city walks and free time keep the pace relaxed, even as the beer list stays ambitious.

  • Small groups — maximum 15 travelers for easier logistics and better brewery access
  • Brassigaume Beer Festival (or comparable event) for small producers and rare beers
  • Legendary stops: Cantillon, Orval, Chimay, Dupont, Rodenbach, De Koninck and more
  • Private Beer Bus where it matters most — our traveling tasting room in the Ardennes
  • Multi-night stays in Brussels, Brugge and Antwerp — time to wander and return to favorite bars

Why You’ll Love This Trip

Belgium’s classic beer regions with enough time in each place to feel at home. Big-city beer culture in Brussels and Antwerp, medieval Brugge, rural Ardennes towns and Trappist abbeys — plus the Brassigaume festival crowd and the Beer Bus stocked with local specialties between stops.

We balance guided brewery visits and beer dinners with free time for markets, museums, chocolate shops, canal boats and legendary bars like Moeder Lambic and Kulminator. Genever, eau-de-vie and house aperitifs share the menu where beer and spirits meet — but the beer list remains gloriously ambitious throughout.

What makes this trip special: Cantillon and lambic culture in Brussels, Brassigaume on Sunday opening, a Trappist triple play (Orval, Chimay, Rochefort region), Dupont farmhouse saison, Rodenbach foeders and a finale in Antwerp with De Koninck bollekes and Kulminator within reach.

Trip Highlights

  • Brussels — Grand Place, Cantillon, Moeder Lambic and welcome beer dinner
  • Brassigaume Beer Festival in the Gaume — small producers, rare beers, local crowd
  • Ardennes towns — Durbuy gastronomy, Bouillon castle above the Semois
  • Trappist stops — Orval, Chimay and the Rochefort region
  • Brasserie Dupont — quintessential saison at Les Caves Dupont
  • Brugge — medieval canals, walking tour and gourmet beer-paired dinner
  • Rodenbach — Flemish red ale, foeders and brewing history
  • Antwerp — pub walk, free day and farewell beer dinner; De Koninck and Kulminator
  • The Beer Bus — flexible countryside transport and onboard tastings

Signature Beer Experiences

  • Brussels: Cantillon spontaneous fermentation; 3 Fonteinen when available; Moeder Lambic curated tasting
  • Gaume & Ardennes: Brassigaume festival; regional brewery visit; Trappist abbeys and cheeses
  • Wallonia: Orval golden ale; Chimay lunch; Dupont saison at the source
  • Flanders: Rodenbach red ales; Brugge beer dinner; Antwerp city brewery culture

Final brewery lineup, festival access and exact timing are subject to confirmation — substitutions will always be at least as good as what they replace.

Food, Wine & Spirits Highlights

  • Welcome beer dinner — cuisine à la bière in Brussels
  • Festival snacks and regional Ardennes beer dinners
  • Chimay lunch with Trappist beers and abbey products
  • Gourmet beer-paired dinner in Brugge; farewell dinner in Antwerp
  • Genever, eau-de-vie and herbal liqueurs in classic Belgian cafés

Places, Beers & Traditions We’ll Explore

We form a satisfying Belgian loop: Brussels → Gaume / Brassigaume → Durbuy → Bouillon → Orval / Chimay / Dupont → Brugge → Rodenbach region → Antwerp. Private Beer Bus segments keep us flexible in the countryside; rail and local transit keep us nimble in and between cities.

Brussels — Grand Place & Big Beer Energy

Brussels is both a European capital and a beer capital, where lambic, Trappist and a huge variety of Belgian styles meet. From classic cafés around the Grand Place to specialist bars like Moeder Lambic, it’s a city where you can wander from square to square and still not exhaust the options.

Gaume & Ardennes — Hills, Forests & Trappist Country

The Gaume and Ardennes regions bring rolling hills, forested valleys, castles and quiet villages. Festivals like Brassigaume showcase small producers; abbeys like Orval, Chimay and Rochefort highlight the monastic roots of many Belgian beers.

Durbuy & Bouillon — Small Towns & Castles

Durbuy calls itself “the smallest city in the world” and leans into food, river walks and cozy charm. Bouillon is dominated by its fortified château — a superb explore-on-your-own site with towers, tunnels and views above the Semois valley.

Brugge — Medieval Canals & Café Culture

Brugge feels like a medieval city frozen in time, with canals, towers, church spires and cobbles everywhere you look. It’s also packed with cafés, beer bars and city breweries — a great place to slow down, sip and wander.

Antwerp — Port City & Kulminator Country

Antwerp combines a serious shipping port, diamond district and fashion scene with grand churches, squares and some of Belgium’s classic beer bars — including legendary Kulminator, where aged and rare bottles share space with everyday favorites.

Beer Styles & Brewing Traditions

Expect spontaneously fermented lambic and geuze, Trappist dubbels and tripels, farmhouse saison, Flemish red and brown ales aged in foeders, strong golden ales and city brewery culture — always tasted in context, with the food and places they were made for.

Trip Itinerary*

Calendar dates below are for the 2026 departure. The daily program is the same each October — see Departures for 2027 dates (October 14–24, 2027).

Click or tap each day to expand the details. Daily schedules may vary depending on supplier availability, festival timing and local events. B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Day 0 – Thursday, October 15, 2026 – Travel to Brussels

Your trip begins as you fly to Brussels, Belgium. Day 0 is overnight travel from North America — not a hotel night. Most travelers land on Day 1.

Overnight: Plane | Meals: —

Day 1 – Friday, October 16, 2026 – Arrival, Walking Tour & Welcome Beer Dinner

Arrive in Brussels and transfer to our hotel just steps from the Grand Place. After time to settle in and freshen up, we meet in the lobby for an afternoon walking and orientation tour of central Brussels.

We’ll stop by a couple of famous cafés and bars to drink some great beers and get our bearings. Tonight’s welcome beer dinner features cuisine à la bière — dishes cooked with and paired to Belgian beers.

Overnight: Brussels | Meals: D

Day 2 – Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Cantillon & Moeder Lambic

The morning is free to enjoy eclectic, bustling Brussels at your own pace — markets, museums, comics murals, chocolate shops and more. In the afternoon, we start at the beginning (of beer history in Brussels, at least) with a visit to Cantillon, one of the city’s last remaining lambic breweries.

We tour the living museum, learn about spontaneous fermentation and the lambic tradition, and taste several beers. Afterwards, we continue to Moeder Lambic for a curated tasting and snacks, featuring one of the best beer lists anywhere. Evening is free for your own dinner and further exploration.

Overnight: Brussels | Meals: B

Day 3 – Sunday, October 18, 2026 – Brassigaume Festival & On to Durbuy

This morning we board our private Beer Bus and head to the Gaume region for the Brassigaume Beer Festival in Marbehan (or similar event, subject to confirmation). Sunday at opening time is our favorite moment to attend — local brewers, small producers, rare beers and a friendly crowd.

Festival food (snacks and light plates) provides an informal lunch. Later in the day we travel into the heart of the Ardennes and the small town of Durbuy, a vacation community proud of its gastronomy and charm. Dinner tonight is included in town — local specialties with appropriate beer, of course.

Overnight: Durbuy | Meals: B, L, D

Day 4 – Monday, October 19, 2026 – Local Brewery, Bouillon Castle & Beer Dinner

After breakfast we visit a nearby brewery for a tour and tasting, getting a sense of how small regional breweries fit into Belgian beer culture. Lunch follows nearby.

We then continue to Bouillon, our home for the night, set along the Semois River beneath the fortified Château de Bouillon. Perched above town, the castle is a fantastic explore-on-your-own site with towers, tunnels and views. This evening we enjoy a multi-course regional beer dinner at our hotel.

Overnight: Bouillon | Meals: B, L, D

Day 5 – Tuesday, October 20, 2026 – Orval, Chimay & Dupont — Oh My!

We load up the Beer Bus and travel west to Orval Abbey to soak up the atmosphere and taste their beautifully bitter golden ale. We tour the site, learn about Orval’s history and stop at the nearby abbey café to enjoy beer and cheese.

From Orval we continue to Chimay for a late lunch featuring their beers and products. Our last stop today is Les Caves Dupont — the brewery café for the quintessential farmhouse brewery, Brasserie Dupont. After tastings and time with locals, we carry on to Brugge, our base for the next three nights.

Overnight: Brugge | Meals: B, L

Day 6 – Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – Brugge Walking Tour & Free Time

This morning we enjoy a locally guided walking tour of beautiful Brugge — canals, squares, towers, churches and stories. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace.

You might take a canal boat ride, a horse-drawn carriage tour, or simply wander between museums, cathedrals, parks, public squares and the many cafés and beer bars. Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.

Overnight: Brugge | Meals: B

Day 7 – Thursday, October 22, 2026 – Rodenbach Day & Brugge Gourmet Beer Dinner

Today we visit breweries that represent the turbulent and prestigious history of Belgian brewing, especially Flemish red and brown ales. A highlight is Rodenbach, where oak foeders, cellars and museum-like spaces tell the story behind their distinctive beers. When possible, we also touch on the story of Liefmans or related breweries.

We enjoy lunch built around these beers before returning to Brugge. Tonight we gather for a gourmet beer-paired dinner at a local restaurant, showcasing how Belgian cuisine and beer complement each other at the highest level.

Overnight: Brugge | Meals: B, L, D

Day 8 – Friday, October 23, 2026 – Free Morning in Brugge, Antwerp Pub Walk

The morning is free until our early afternoon transfer to Antwerp. You can squeeze in last-minute Brugge explorations or simply savor a slow breakfast and canal-side stroll.

In the afternoon we travel to Antwerp for the final two nights of our trip. After check-in, we head out for a walking tour and pub crawl to explore some of Antwerp’s notable and historic beer bars.

Overnight: Antwerp | Meals: B

Day 9 – Saturday, October 24, 2026 – Free Day in Antwerp & Farewell Beer Dinner

Today is free to explore Antwerp: grand cathedral, Rubens connections, fashion streets, riverside walks and of course more cafés and beer bars — Kulminator is a popular pilgrimage stop.

In the evening we gather for a farewell beer dinner to celebrate our time in Belgium, look back at favorite beers and stories, and raise one last glass together.

Overnight: Antwerp | Meals: B, D

Day 10 – Sunday, October 25, 2026 – Departure Day

Alas, we must leave beer heaven. After breakfast, depart for Brussels Airport (BRU) or onward travel. Antwerp and Brussels share easy rail connections to the same main international airport.

Meals: B

Ready To Experience Belgium Through Beer, Food & Culture?

From Cantillon to Brassigaume to Kulminator — come to Belgium on a BeerTrip.

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What’s Included

  • 9 hotel nights on the ground (Day 1 through Day 9 overnights; Day 0 is travel only)
  • All brewery visits, tastings and guided tours listed in the final itinerary
  • Guided city walks in Brussels, Brugge and Antwerp
  • Brassigaume Beer Festival visit (or comparable festival/event, timing permitting)
  • Castle visit at Château de Bouillon overlooking the Semois River
  • All group ground transport — Beer Bus, scheduled rail and local transfers on included excursions
  • BeerTrips trip leader throughout
  • All local taxes on included services

Included Meals

9 Breakfasts | 4 Lunches | 4 Dinners

What’s Not Included

  • International airfare to/from Belgium
  • Most dinners and some lunches not specified as included
  • Drinks beyond tastings and specific inclusions
  • Optional activities during free time
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Personal expenses and tips

Where We Stay

  • Brussels (2 nights): Steps from the Grand Place — cafés, beer bars, restaurants and sights within easy walking distance
  • Durbuy (1 night): Small Ardennes town proud of gastronomy and cozy streets
  • Bouillon (1 night): Riverside town in the Semois valley beneath a dramatic hilltop castle
  • Brugge (3 nights): Perhaps the best-preserved medieval city in Europe — canals, clock towers and cobbles
  • Antwerp (2 nights): Vibrant port city with grand cathedral, Rubens history and great beer bars

Exact hotel names and details will be provided in your Final Trip Documents. Final hotels may vary by departure year but will always be of equal or greater quality.

Is This Trip Right for You?

Great Fit If…

  • You want Belgium’s classic breweries, Brassigaume and Trappist abbeys in one loop
  • Multi-night stays in Brussels, Brugge and Antwerp appeal to you
  • You enjoy festival energy, Beer Bus countryside days and free café wandering
  • You’re comfortable with cobblestones and several miles of walking per day
  • Lambic, Trappist, saison and Flemish red ales are on your must-try list

May Not Be Ideal If…

  • You need flat, ADA-accessible terrain throughout
  • Festival crowds and standing tastings aren’t your thing
  • You prefer a single-city stay with no coach travel
  • You’re looking for a wine-first or beer-festival-free itinerary

Belgian cities and towns are full of cobblestones, narrow lanes, uneven pavements and stairs. Brewery and castle visits often involve standing for tastings, walking through production areas or climbing steps and towers. If you have questions about mobility or whether this itinerary is a good fit, please contact us — we’re happy to talk through details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click or tap a question to expand the answer.

Where do I fly in and out?

Fly into Brussels Airport (BRU) to arrive on Day 1 — not Day 0, which is overnight travel from North America. See Departures for your year’s calendar date (2026: Friday, October 16 · 2027: Friday, October 15). The tour ends in Antwerp after breakfast on Day 10; BRU is easily reached by rail from both Antwerp and Brussels.

What is the Brassigaume Beer Festival?

Brassigaume is a beloved small-producer beer festival in Belgium’s Gaume region — local brewers, rare beers and a friendly crowd, usually on a Sunday opening. We attend at opening time when possible; if festival dates or access change, we substitute a comparable event of equal or greater quality.

Why is group size 15 on this trip?

This departure uses a slightly larger maximum than some BeerTrips tours to accommodate festival logistics and Beer Bus travel while keeping the group small enough for brewery access, conversation and flexible pacing. Most departures travel with 10–15 guests.

How physically demanding is this trip?

Historic Belgian cities mean cobblestones, uneven pavements, stairs and occasional hills. Brewery and castle visits may involve standing for tastings and walking through production areas or climbing tower steps. Travelers should be comfortable walking several miles over the course of a day at a relaxed pace.

What beers will we try?

Lambic and geuze in Brussels, festival rarities at Brassigaume, Trappist ales at Orval and Chimay, Dupont saison, Rodenbach Flemish red ales and Antwerp city brewery culture — plus whatever the Beer Bus and your free evenings turn up along the way.

How much free time is built in?

Plenty — free mornings and evenings in Brussels, a full free day in Brugge, free morning before Antwerp, and a full free day in Antwerp before the farewell dinner. The rhythm mixes structured brewery visits with time to wander markets, museums and legendary beer bars on your own.

Can non-drinkers join?

Yes. This trip is equally about food, architecture, history and place. Non-drinkers and light drinkers are welcome; Belgium’s tables, chocolate shops and city squares offer far more than beer alone.

Are deposits and payment terms flexible?

A per-person deposit is required at booking; balance is typically due 90 days before departure. Full booking terms and conditions are provided during registration.

Breweries, Festival & Travel Resources

Official websites for breweries, Brassigaume and regional tourism boards — useful for planning extra time before or after the tour.

Featured Breweries & Producers

Festival & Museums

Official Tourism & Beer Resources

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Ready To Join This BeerTrips Adventure?

Cantillon, Brassigaume, Trappist abbeys, Rodenbach foeders and Kulminator — Belgium the BeerTrips way.

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*Final brewery lineup, festival access and exact timing are subject to confirmation and availability — when substitutions are necessary, they will be at least as good as what they replace.

BeerTrips has been crafting small-group beer, food and cultural journeys for over 25 years.

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TRAVEL DETAILS:

Air Travel is not included. Travelers are encouraged to use mileage awards, travel outside group dates, or visit other European cities while abroad to make the most out of the trip. Please confirm the trip’s operation before purchasing air tickets.

Most Trips officially begin in the lobby of the first hotel. Meeting times, information about getting from the airport or train station to the hotel, the detailed itinerary, hotel addresses, and a trip roster will be included with your Final Trip Documents, which you’ll receive 2 – 3 weeks before the trip.

How we travel on tour: All included excursions and visits include transportation. Within the cities, we rely on walking and private or public transportation (uber, taxis, busses, trams, etc.). Travel between cities is by private motor coach, luxury van, ferry, and/or rail.

REGARDING INCLUDED MEALS AND BEER:

We don’t mess around when it comes to food and beer. Restaurants — tried and true — have been carefully selected, based on quality, local knowledge, and insider tips. On a Beer Trip, included meals mean you may order as you please – including beer, appetizers, dessert, etc. We are not stingy — a lot of food and beer is included on every Beer Trip.

PLEASE NOTE:

A BeerTrips beer tour is best suited for somewhat adventurous, beer-loving travelers who want the camaraderie and structure of a tour, as well as the opportunity to explore independently. Planned events, brewery visits, locally guided tours, and some excursions are, of course, formally “guided”. Travel days, on trains, public means, or the beer bus, as well some group walks, are blissfully unstructured, though travelers can always rely on the support and assistance of the trip leader.

THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

In rare cases, it may be necessary to alter the itinerary based on brewery or hotel availability, force majeur, acts of dieties, common sense, or bad weather, etc. Smaller breweries, as well as the Trappists, are often unable to commit to hosting groups until a couple of weeks before we arrive. Substitutions, when necessary, will be as good as what we replaced. And, don’t worry, the beer is always good!

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