Fascinating Tour of Beer Museums in Belgium

Beer is more of a culture in Belgium, rather than only a frothy beverage. Today, more than 450 different kinds of beer are found in the country. In fact, the beer culture is so intrinsic that some Belgian beer brands have even customized beer glasses requiring the particular beer to be served only in that special glass. The design of each beer glass is unique in the way that it enhances the beer’s flavor for which it has been specially designed.

To enjoy the famous Beer culture in Belgium it is important to undertake a tour of beer museums in the country. Some of the famous beer museums ready to fascinate you include Timmermans Brewery Museum, The Museum of the Belgian Brewers, The Gambrinus Drivers Museum, Belgian Beer Museum, The Lambiek Visitors’ Centre, Hop Museum and De Snoek Brewery Museum.

Timmermans Brewery Museum
The Timmermans Brewery Museum is a great favorite among beer lovers visiting Brussels. The Timmermans brewery is Belgium’s oldest brewer of lambiek beers. The brewery in itself is a real museum. Most of the brewing artifacts here are vintage post-war. Some of the brewery equipments are at least a century old. The Timmermans Brewery has been in existence ever since 1702. The place was originally a farm-brewery. For most part of its existence it was popularly called “De Mol”. It was only in early 20th century that it was named “Timmermans” by its owner Paul Van Cutsem to honor the memory of his father-in-law Frans Timmermans. The tradition is kept alive and visitors at the museum can still see the taps, filter tank and boiling kettle performing brewing process as done in earlier times. The museum section of the brewery was inaugurated in September 2009. The Timmermans Brewery was purchased by an Anglo-Belgian drinks company Anthony Martin Group in 1993. The museum showcases the history of Timmermans as well as of the Anthony Martin Group.
 
The Museum of the Belgian Brewers
The Museum of the Belgian Brewers, popularly known as “Brewer’s House”, is situated on the Grote Markt/Grand'Place in the heart of Brussels. The Brewer’s House is home to the brewer’s guild “Union of Belgian Brewers”, whose history itself dates back to the 14th century. It is also one of the world’s oldest professional organizations. The Museum of the Belgian Brewers is devoted towards promoting and prominently showcasing Belgium’s rich history, culture and tradition of beer and brewing. The visitors to the museum are acquainted with the primary ingredients of beer. It also updates them about the latest developments related to brewing technology such as advanced cooling processes and filtering methods, cylindro-conical maturing, and high-tech packaging lines and bottling.

The Gambrinus Drivers Museum
The Gambrinus Drivers Museum is situated in a 19th century brewery and maltery in Romedenne. The museum was founded by Charles Fontaine and his brother at the end of 1980s. Fontaine efficiently managed “Le Père Faro”, which was among the first specialist beer cafes in Brussels. The museum is home to a wide range of vintage lorries that were specially used for transporting beer. The fabulous collection includes a 1956 Lloyd, a 1954 Borgwald, a Berna from 1943, and several Saurers. The Gambrinus Drivers Museum, which is exclusively dedicated to beer transport, also prominently display cases devoted to the various makes of lorries, petroleum, steam and electric-powered, lorry makers, advertising and much more.

The Lambiek Visitors’ Centre
The Lambiek Visitors’ Centre is situated in Belgium’s Alsemberg region. The centre makes a perfect starting point to explore the Lambiek breweries as well as tour the Zennevallei and Pajottenland regions. The visitors at the centre can look forward to immerse themselves in the texture, sounds, smells and tastes of Lambiek beer. A visit to the Lambiek Visitors’ Centre will acquaint you with the unique and rich history of Lambiek beer.