EP046 | Belgian Beer Festivals

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Belgium has a rich festival scene. Every single weekend in the year, you could choose between a multitude of music shows, food markets, neighbourhood parties, and cultural shows.  

Its beer festival circuit is equally rich. From village fairs to international events, Belgians celebrate beer at festivals like few other nations.

In this podcast, we’re talking Belgian beer festivals with three guests who organise prominent, but wonderfully different beer festivals in Belgium.

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Belgian Beer Festivals

Stéfan Cauwenbergs organises Billie’s Craft Beer Festival.

Billie’s Craft Beer Fest was named after Billie, Stéfan’s French bulldog, and every year brings 50 breweries — from Belgium and other countries — to the Waagnatie hall in Antwerp.

It’s a highly-curated and invite-only selection, always sold out shortly after tickets go on sale.

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Bart Vanneste is on the organising committee of Bruges Beer Festival.

Bruges Beer Festival is one of the largest beer festivals in Belgium.

It’s hosted by the beer consumer group BAB. This June’s festival was its 15th annual edition. 

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Jan Machiel van Bragt is part of team that organises the Kerstbierfestival.

The Kerstbierfestival is a beer festival hosted by beer group OBER which takes place every December in Essen.

Translating as the Christmas beer festival, the kerstbierfestival pours only Christmas and Winter beers from Belgian breweries. It’s always a festive party with a really special atmosphere. This year’s will be its 27th edition.

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In our panel podcast discussion, we talked about the diverse profiles of each of their festivals, how beer festivals in Belgium might be different than in other countries, the challenges and joys of running a festival in Belgium, and how they see the festival scene evolving in the coming years.

Sit back, listen, and enjoy our Straight Talk panel discussion about Belgian beer festivals.