Wild Flanders — Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp & Hasselt

Description

March 12 – March 22, 2026

Trip Price (Land-only, Based on double occupancy)
$TBD per person | Single Room add extra $TBD

Join us for a foray through the most flavorful corners of Flanders — Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp and Hasselt — tasting beer where it was born, shaped, blended and celebrated. Lambic, geuze, farmhouse character, strong Belgian classics, elegant modern craft and a festival finale… this is Belgium, BeerTrips style.

Wild beers, innovative blenders and brewers, small distilleries and iconic Belgian cities with virtually endless selections of world-class brews. Special visits with friendly hosts, great food, lovely beer people and The Beer Experience festival as a finale. Join us for a late winter escape into the warm hospitality and innovative spirit of Flanders.

Beer, Food, History & Local Flavor — From Brussels to Hasselt

Belgium isn’t ancient, but its brewing culture reaches back through generations of monks, merchants, blenders and craftspeople who refined their beer traditions long before modern borders were drawn. Within its small footprint lies one of the most diverse and historically rich beer cultures in the world: spontaneous fermentation in the Pajottenland, foeder-aged Flemish reds, strong golden ales perfected in abbeys and a new wave of brewers pushing Belgian flavor into sharp, modern expression.

It’s not just a beer country, though. It’s a grain country, where brewing and distilling grew up together. Farmers malted grain to make beer and spirits, abbeys brewed ales and distilled fruit spirits, and modern artisans continue that dual legacy. On this trip we taste both sides of that heritage — lambic and geuze, Flemish red and strong golden ales, plus jenever, whiskey and other grain spirits that share the same roots.

Why We’re BeerTripping Here

Belgium has one of the most concentrated, diverse and historic beer cultures in the world — but enjoying it well requires thoughtful pacing, smart routing and a tasting sequence that lets each region speak clearly. This itinerary is built around flavor arcs, not checklists. Lambic before red ale. Red ale before strong golden. Spirits folded naturally into the grain story. And a festival that shows where Belgian craft is heading today.

We keep travel distances short, meals balanced and overnights comfortable. Days are structured but never rigid, with a mix of brewery appointments, cultural stops, canal time, city walks and a couple of free days. It’s a deep dive into Flanders, without feeling rushed.

Trip Snapshot

• Duration: 10 days / 9 nights (plus overnight flight from the U.S.)
• Group Size: Maximum 12 travelers
• Travel Style: Small-group, brewery-focused cultural journey
• Start / End: Starts in Brussels, ends in Hasselt (departures via Brussels area)
• Transport: Rail, local taxis/rideshare and private minicoach on key brewery days
• Overnights: Brussels (2), Ghent (3), Antwerp (2), Hasselt (2)
• Meals Included: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners (B, L, D as listed below)
• Beer & Spirits Highlights: Pajottenland lambic, Rodenbach, De Dolle, Wilderen, De Dochter van de Korenaar, Turnhout brewery/museum, The Beer Experience festival and Hasselt’s jenever heritage

Beer Highlights & Brewery Visits*

• Lambic & The Pajottenland: Visits may include iconic producers such as Oud Beersel, 3 Fonteinen, Boon, De Cam and Tilquin — a balanced arc of blending philosophy, oak, microflora and time.
• Rodenbach: A private tour and tasting in the foeder cathedral of Flanders Red Ale, where oak-aged acidity, fruit and malt come together in a style found nowhere else.
• De Dolle Brouwers: Expressive, eccentric strong ales that show Belgian brewing at its most characterful and creative.
• Wilderen Brewery & Distillery: A dual-production site in historic farm buildings where beers and house-made spirits share the same grain-to-glass story.
• De Dochter van de Korenaar: Small, elegant brewer-distiller in Baarle-Hertog, producing barrel-aged beers, strong ales and limited-release spirits under the historic motto of “the daughter of the grain.”
• Turnhout Brewery / Museum: Either a visit to Het Nest brewery or the extensive Bocholter Brewery Museum, depending on timing and group interest — both offering playful, modern or historic perspectives on Belgian brewing.
• The Beer Experience Festival: In Heusden-Zolder, a contemporary festival with Belgian breweries, food, music, art and BeerTalks — a modern counterpoint to our historical stops.

Wine & Spirits Highlights

• Tastings of jenever, fruit distillates and Belgian whiskey at brewery-distillery sites like Wilderen.
• Elegant grain spirits and small-batch distillates at De Dochter van de Korenaar.
• Optional visit to the Jenever Museum in Hasselt, tracing Belgium’s grain-spirit traditions from agricultural origins to modern craft.

Included Tours

• Guided orientation walk in Brussels’ historic center.
• Pajottenland lambic day with multiple producers and a hearty Flemish lunch.
• Private tour and tasting at Rodenbach, plus De Dolle Brouwers visit.
• Ghent canal cruise with local beer and light snacks.
• Beer-and-history walk in Antwerp.
• Visit to Wilderen Brewery & Distillery and lunch in Sint-Truiden.
• Visit to De Dochter van de Korenaar plus Turnhout brewery or brewery museum stop.
• Group orientation and hosted experience at The Beer Experience festival.

Included Meals

10 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches | 3 Dinners

Daily Itinerary*

Day 0 — Thu, Mar 12 — Depart the U.S.

Overnight flight to Brussels. Hydrate, rest and let anticipation rise.
Overnight: Plane

Day 1 — Fri, Mar 13 — Welcome to Brussels (B, D)

Arrive in Brussels and transfer into the city by easy rail connection or taxi. Check in at Warwick Grand-Place Brussels and settle into the rhythm of the trip with a gentle orientation walk — cobblestones, guild houses, stone alleys and your first sense of Belgian café etiquette. Evening welcome dinner at Big Mama with a curated tasting flight.

Overnight: Brussels — Warwick Grand-Place Brussels

Day 2 — Sat, Mar 14 — Lambic Day in the Pajottenland (B, L)

A deep dive into the world’s last surviving spontaneous fermentation tradition. Using local drivers and taxis (no luggage today), we explore the Pajottenland with visits that may include Oud Beersel, 3 Fonteinen, Boon, De Cam and Tilquin — a balanced arc of history, blending philosophy and quietly powerful barrel rooms. Lunch is hearty Flemish comfort built for lambic pairings. Gentle return to Brussels in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Brussels — Warwick Grand-Place Brussels

Day 3 — Sun, Mar 15 — Rodenbach & De Dolle → Ghent (B, L)

Moving day with luggage. Depart Brussels by private minicoach for West Flanders and a private tour and tasting at Rodenbach — the foeder cathedral of Flanders Red Ale. Lunch at the brewery showcases how acidity, wood and malt harmonize. In the afternoon, continue to De Dolle Brouwers for expressive strong ales and Belgian brewing at its most eccentric. By late afternoon, travel onward to Ghent and check into B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum. Evening free for a first look at Ghent’s canals and cafés.

Overnight: Ghent — B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum

Day 4 — Mon, Mar 16 — Ghent Canal Cruise & Dinner (B, D)

A relaxed morning in Ghent, with time for wandering, coffee and photography. In the afternoon, enjoy a private canal cruise with local Flemish beers and light snacks — one of the most atmospheric ways to meet the city. A festive group dinner in the historic center rounds out the day.

Overnight: Ghent — B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum

Day 5 — Tue, Mar 17 — Choose Your Day: Bruges or Ghent (B)

A flexible, build-your-own-adventure day. Options include:

• Daytrip to Bruges for cobblestone streets, canals, De Halve Maan and ’t Brugs Beertje.
• Or stay in Ghent for more time along the canals, Hopduvel bottle shop, cafés, museums and chocolate.
• Or an optional small-batch brewery visit if production schedules align.

Dinner on your own, with a reserved table available for those who wish.

Overnight: Ghent — B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum

Day 6 — Wed, Mar 18 — Wilderen → Sint-Truiden → Antwerp (B, L)

Moving day with luggage. Depart Ghent by private minicoach for Wilderen Brewery & Distillery — a combined brewery-distillery set in beautifully preserved historic farm buildings, where modern stainless systems sit alongside old brick and timber. Tastings may include expressive beers plus house-made jenever, whisky and fruit distillates — a rare look at how Belgian brewing and distilling traditions overlap. Lunch in nearby Sint-Truiden highlights seasonal Flemish cuisine with easy beer pairings.

Continue to Antwerp for a guided beer-and-history walk through the city’s stylish heart. Evening on your own.

Overnight: Antwerp — B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Centrum

Day 7 — Thu, Mar 19 — Free Antwerp Day & Billie’s Evening (B, D)

A full day to explore Antwerp at your own pace. Possibilities include:

• MAS Museum and rooftop views over the river and port.
• Café culture in Het Zuid and the historic center.
• Beer bars like Oud Arsenaal, ’t Antwaerps Bierhuiske or a return visit to a favorite spot.
• Shopping and design districts, the cathedral or Rubenshuis.

In the evening, we re-gather at Billie’s Bier Kafétaria for a BeerTrips-style anchor event: a relaxed dinner and guided tasting that gradually opens into curated exploration for those who wish to stay on.

Overnight: Antwerp — B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Centrum

Day 8 — Fri, Mar 20 — Antwerp → De Dochter → Turnhout → Hasselt (B)

Moving day with luggage. Depart Antwerp by private minicoach for Baarle-Hertog and a visit to De Dochter van de Korenaar, the brewer-distiller crafting barrel-aged beers, elegant strong ales and small-batch spirits under the historic motto of “the daughter of the grain.” Continue toward Turnhout for either a visit to Het Nest brewery (playful, modern Belgian brewing with classic roots) or the extensive Bocholter Brewery Museum, depending on timing and group interest.

Arrive in Hasselt in the late afternoon and settle in.

Overnight: Hasselt — B&B HOTEL Hasselt

Day 9 — Sat, Mar 21 — Jenever Museum (Optional) & The Beer Experience Festival (B)

A flavorful culmination in Hasselt and Heusden-Zolder. In the morning, guests have the option to visit the Jenever Museum — a cultural cornerstone that traces Belgium’s grain-spirit traditions from agricultural origins to modern craft, tying together the themes we’ve tasted at Wilderen and De Dochter. Later in the day, we head to The Beer Experience Festival in Heusden-Zolder: Belgian breweries, food, music, art and BeerTalks in a vibrant, contemporary setting.

We begin with a short group orientation and “don’t miss” list, then you’re free to explore at your own pace before returning to Hasselt.

Overnight: Hasselt — B&B HOTEL Hasselt

Day 10 — Sun, Mar 22 — Departure / Optional Festival Day 2 (B)

Relaxed breakfast and transfers for onward travel. Depending on flight times, guests may choose to return to The Beer Experience festival for a second visit before departing the region.

Meals: B

Where We Stay

• Brussels: Warwick Grand-Place Brussels — 2 nights
• Ghent: B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum — 3 nights
• Antwerp: B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Centrum — 2 nights
• Hasselt: B&B HOTEL Hasselt — 2 nights

Cities & Regions

Brussels — The Soul of Lambic & Cultural Crossroads

A European capital built on centuries of trade, cafés, guilds and art — and the only region where wild-fermented lambic still thrives. Tradition lives in every glass: old cafés pouring cellar-aged classics, modern blenders working in the Pajottenland and spontaneous fermentation that remains truly unique in the world.

Ghent — Waterways, Warmth & Quiet Beer Intelligence

Medieval architecture, glowing canals, student energy and one of Belgium’s most thoughtful beer scenes. Ghent rewards the curious with deep bottle shops, cozy taverns, canal cruises and a food culture that treats Belgian beer with care and respect.

Antwerp — Style, Port Energy & Modern Expression

A port city with swagger. Antwerp blends Flemish brewing heritage with avant-garde craft, world-class beer bars like Billie’s Bier Kafétaria and a design-forward energy that pairs beautifully with Belgian yeast-driven classics.

Hasselt — Jenever Heritage & Festival Finale

Friendly, flavorful and long tied to distilling tradition. Hasselt is also our base for The Beer Experience festival — a lively celebration of Belgian brewing with food, art, music and conversations with the brewers themselves.

Travel Routes, Rail & Beer Connections

This itinerary keeps travel distances short and comfortable. We combine private minicoach on key brewery days with rail connections and local taxis/rideshare when it makes the most sense. Brussels to West Flanders, on to Ghent and Antwerp, then across Limburg to Hasselt and Heusden-Zolder — each leg adds flavor and perspective without long, exhausting days on the road.

Practical Notes

Group Size & Pace

This BeerTrip is designed for a maximum of 12 travelers. We balance structured brewery visits and cultural events with relaxed free time, so you have space to explore on your own, rest or chase one more special bottle.

What’s Included

• All brewery, distillery and festival visits listed in the itinerary.
• All listed guided tours and activities.
• All accommodations (9 nights) in centrally located hotels.
• 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners as noted.
• All group ground transport during the trip as described (rail, private minicoach, local transfers on brewery days).

What’s Not Included

• International airfare to/from Belgium.
• Most dinners and some lunches.
• Personal expenses, extra drinks and optional activities.
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended).

Breweries, Medieval Streets & Mobility

A BeerTrips tour is best suited for somewhat adventurous, beer-loving travelers who enjoy walking historic cities and navigating cobblestones, narrow alleys and the occasional flight of stairs. Daily activities can include standing during tastings, walking for a few miles at a relaxed pace and boarding trains, buses or our beer bus. If you have questions about mobility or pacing, please reach out so we can help you decide if this itinerary is a good fit.

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About BeerTrips

For more than 25 years, BeerTrips has crafted small-group cultural adventures woven through beer, food and history. We travel deeply, laugh often and savor every local flavor — from brewery cellars to family tables, from tiny villages to iconic cities.

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