Farmhouse Ales of Belgium and France

Description

May 21 – May 31, 2026

Departs every year in late May / early June

Trip Price (Land-only, Based on double occupancy)
$3,795 per person | Single Room add extra $885

A very “beery” exploration of some of the best breweries anywhere — even if you haven’t heard of them yet. Northern France and southern Belgium share a meandering, often invisible border that crosses one of the most rewarding beer regions on earth. Bière de Garde, Trappist and Saison producers all thrive in this compact area. We begin and end in Brussels, with stays in Flemish Ieper (Ypres), Valenciennes in northern France and the Wallonian provincial capital of Hainaut — Mons. Each place has its own charms and superb proximity to farmhouse brewers, hop fields and artisanal beer culture.

Beer, Food, History & Local Flavor — From Brussels to French Flanders

This trip follows the old routes through Flanders and French Flanders, where beer has long been a farm product as much as a city one. In Belgium we visit lambic, saison and small farmhouse breweries, plus classic estaminets and cafés with deep bottle lists. In France we cross into hop country and the Opal Coast, where Belgian and French beer traditions blur together in the best possible way.

Along the way we enjoy a brewery that still uses a 19th-century steam engine to power the brew day; a quintessential French-Flemish estaminet with story-rich walls and a world-class cheese board; a farm that grows its own hops and barley; and family breweries that have quietly become some of the most respected farmhouse ale producers anywhere. The mix of small towns, countryside, historic remembrance (Flanders Fields) and generous tables makes this one of BeerTrips’ most soulful itineraries.

Why We’re BeerTripping Here

Farmhouse ales — in all their forms — are some of the most expressive beers in the world, but the places they come from are often rural, out-of-the-way and hard to reach without a thoughtful plan. This BeerTrip is built precisely to solve that: a comfortable, well-paced route through breweries that are too small (and too special) to appear on mass market tours, with enough time to actually enjoy where you are.

We’re not chasing brand recognition here; in fact, many of the breweries we visit are names you might not know… yet. That’s part of the fun. By the time you’ve stood next to a steam-powered mash tun, walked through hop fields at Beck Farm, or tasted a fresh Bière de Garde at an estaminet in Cassel, the labels will matter less than the memories attached to them.

Trip Snapshot

• Duration: 11 days / 10 nights (including overnight flight; 9 nights in Europe)
• Group Size: Maximum 12 travelers
• Travel Style: Small-group, brewery-focused cultural journey
• Start / End: Starts and ends in Brussels, Belgium
• Transport: Private Beer Bus on key brewery days, rail, taxi/Uber and your feet
• Overnights: Brussels (1) • Ieper/Ypres (3) • Valenciennes (1) • Mons (2) • Brussels (2)
• Physical Level: Easy to moderate walking; cobblestones, hill towns and brewery stairs

Beer Highlights & Brewery Visits*

• 14 breweries in 9 days — well-planned and relaxed: tastings or tours at Dupont, Vapeur, De Dolle, Beck Farm, De Ranke, Cazeau, Thiriez, Deux Caps, La Choulette, Au Baron, Cantillon, L’Ermitage and Kerkom… oh my!
• Brasserie Vapeur: A working 19th-century steam-powered brewery, where we arrive early to witness a public brew day, enjoy an all-local lunch and experience some of the most characterful beers anywhere.
• De Dolle Brouwers: Belgium’s original “craft brewery,” founded in 1980 when small independent brewing was technically illegal. A legendary stop for strong, expressive ales.
• Brasserie Dupont: Iconic saison and farmhouse producer, long admired by brewers and drinkers worldwide.
• Beck Farm: A working family farm with hop fields, horse breeding, farm cooking and fresh hop beers — a true grain-and-hop-to-glass experience.
• De Ranke & Cazeau: Two innovative breweries, each with its own take on bitterness, balance and farmhouse character.
• French Farmhouse Brewers: Thiriez and Deux Caps in northern France, bringing distinct personalities and settings — from village lanes to the Opal Coast near the sea.
• Classics & New Wave: La Choulette, Au Baron and others along the route, plus Cantillon, L’Ermitage and an optional Kerkom visit as we return to Belgium.

Wine & Spirits Highlights

• Opportunities to sample local French and Belgian country liqueurs or aperitifs in estaminets and cafés.
• Optional tastes of regional gin/jenever or other grain spirits, often found on the same menus as the farmhouse ales.
• Wine available at most included meals, but the focus — as always on BeerTrips — remains firmly on beer.

Included Tours

• Guided city tour in Brussels, plus informal beer-focused walks and café crawls in Ieper and Mons.
• Visit to Brasserie Vapeur on a public brew day, with time to watch the steam-powered brewing in action.
• Brewery visits and tastings at De Dolle, Beck Farm, De Ranke, Cazeau, Thiriez, Deux Caps, La Choulette, Au Baron and more as listed in the daily itinerary.
• Time at the Flanders Fields Museum in Ieper, with flexible time to reflect and explore the town.
• Optional rail/taxi visit to Brouwerij Kerkom during the final Brussels free day.

Included Meals

All Breakfasts | 5 Lunches (with beer!) | 3 Dinners (with beer!)

Daily Itinerary*

Day 0 – Thursday, May 21 – Travel to Brussels

Fly to Europe and rest up for the farmhouse-ale adventure ahead.
Overnight: Plane

Day 1 – Friday, May 22 – Arrival, Walking Tour, Pub Crawl & Welcome Dinner

Arrive in Brussels and transfer to our hotel near the Grand Place. In the afternoon, meet the group for a walking tour and pub crawl en route to our Welcome Beer Dinner. We will return to Brussels for two more nights at the end of the trip.
Overnight in Brussels | Meals: D

Day 2 – Saturday, May 23 – Vapeur Brew Day, De Dolle & on to Ieper

Depart Brussels bright and early for Brasserie Vapeur to witness their historic steam-powered brew day. Enjoy an all-local lunch before continuing west to De Dolle Brouwers. Arrive in Ieper, our home for two nights, with an optional visit to the Menin Gate ceremony.
Overnight in Ieper | Meals: B, L

Day 3 – Sunday, May 24 – Flanders Fields, Cassel Estaminet & Beck Farm

Visit the Flanders Fields Museum before crossing into France for lunch in a classic estaminet in Cassel. Continue to Beck Farm for a brewery visit, hop-field tour and farmhouse dinner.
Overnight in Ieper | Meals: B, L, D

Day 4 – Monday, May 25 – De Ranke, Ferme de Balthazar & Brasserie de Cazeau

A farmhouse-beer-focused day visiting De Ranke and Cazeau, with a favorite restaurant stop for lunch.
Overnight in Ieper | Meals: B, L

Day 5 – Tuesday, May 26 – Thiriez, Deux Caps & the Opal Coast

Cross into northern France for brewery visits at Thiriez and Deux Caps, plus time on the scenic Opal Coast.
Overnight in Valenciennes | Meals: B, L

Day 6 – Wednesday, May 27 – La Choulette, Au Baron & on to Mons

Visit family brewery La Choulette and father–son brewery Au Baron with lunch before continuing to Mons.
Overnight in Mons | Meals: B, L

Day 7 – Thursday, May 28 – Free Day in Mons

A relaxed day to explore Mons — historic sites, cafés and the lively Grand Place.
Overnight in Mons | Meals: B

Day 8 – Friday, May 29 – To Brussels, Cantillon & L’Ermitage

Train back to Brussels before lunch, then visit iconic Cantillon and neighboring L’Ermitage. Evening free.
Overnight in Brussels | Meals: B

Day 9 – Saturday, May 30 – Free Day or Optional Kerkom Visit & Farewell Beery Dinner

Free day to explore Brussels or take an optional trip to Brouwerij Kerkom. Farewell beer dinner tonight.
Overnight in Brussels | Meals: B, D

Day 10 – Sunday, May 31 – Departure Day

Enjoy breakfast before making your way to the airport or onward European travels.
Meals: B

Where We Stay

• Brussels: Centrally located hotel near the Grand Place (1 night at start, 2 nights at end)
• Ieper (Ypres): Historic town hotel within walking distance of the center and Menin Gate (3 nights)
• Valenciennes: Comfortable city hotel in northern France (1 night)
• Mons: Hotel near the Grand Place and historic core (2 nights)

Exact hotel names and details will be provided in your Final Trip Documents.

Cities & Regions

Brussels — Capital & Gateway

A European capital with a village heart, Brussels offers classic cafés, grand squares and access to some of the world’s best beers. It’s the perfect staging point for our farmhouse circuit and a great place to return to at the end of the trip.

Ieper (Ypres) — History & Reflection

Heavily scarred by the First World War and carefully rebuilt, Ieper is home to the Menin Gate, Flanders Fields Museum and a quiet yet powerful atmosphere. It’s also a convenient base for exploring West Flanders breweries and nearby French Flanders.

Valenciennes & French Flanders

On the French side of the border, Flemish roots meet French culture. Small towns, estaminets, breweries and the nearby Opal Coast offer a deep sense of place and a unique perspective on farmhouse ale traditions.

Mons — Provincial Capital of Hainaut

A compact city with medieval roots, a university presence and an easygoing pace, Mons offers a different slice of Wallonia. Its Grand Place, clock tower and café-lined streets make it a great spot to catch your breath, enjoy a beer and watch the world go by.

Travel Routes, Rail & Beer Connections

This itinerary uses a smart mix of private Beer Bus (for big brewery loops and countryside days), regional rail (between Mons and Brussels, for example) and local taxis/Uber for short transfers. Travel distances are modest, and we avoid long, exhausting days on the road. Within towns we rely on walking, which is often the best way to appreciate both the history and the café culture that define this region.

Practical Notes

Group Size & Pace

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

What’s Included

• All brewery visits, tastings and guided tours listed in the itinerary.
• All accommodations (9 nights) in well-located hotels.
• All breakfasts, plus 5 lunches and 3 dinners as noted.
• All group ground transport during the trip as described (Beer Bus, rail segments, local transfers on included excursions).

What’s Not Included

• International airfare to/from Brussels.
• Most dinners and some lunches not specified as included.
• Personal expenses, extra drinks and optional activities.
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended).

Breweries, Medieval Streets & Mobility

Breweries on this itinerary may include working farms, village breweries and historic buildings with uneven floors, low doorways and narrow stairs. Towns like Ieper, Cassel and Mons also feature cobblestones and occasional hills. Travelers should be comfortable walking several miles over the course of a day at a relaxed pace, standing during tastings and navigating stairs without elevators.

If you have questions about mobility, distance or daily pace, please contact us — we’re happy to talk through whether this itinerary is a good fit.

You May Also Like

• The Great Beers of Belgium with Brassigaume Festival
• Wild Flanders — Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp & Hasselt
• Prague, Bamberg & Oktoberfest: Lager Legends of Central Europe
• New Zealand’s South Island: Nature, Culture, Adventure & Kiwi Craft Beer

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. And don’t worry: the beer is always good.