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Feature photo by Christopher Austin of Austin Studio Denver.
This editorially independent podcast has been supported by VISITFLANDERS as part of the “War Chest” series of stories. Read more.
Ford Lee Stuart III, or Stu Stuart as he is better known, is the owner of a tour company called Belgian Beer Me! Tours which specialise in fun, smart, and affordable beer tours of Belgium from all around the world. More than 30% of his travellers are returning customers.
There are few people in Belgian beer who don’t know Stu. He turns up at beer festivals all around the country and at all times of the year, as well as at breweries both large and small, no matter how remote or off the beaten path they may be. Sometimes he’s with a tour group; often, he’s on his own.
He is incredibly well connected to those in the industry and in the years he’s been giving tours, has built up close friendships with hundreds of brewers, cafe owners, festival organisers, and media personalities.
The reason he’s so well known and so well liked, is because he takes a genuine interest in those he meets, and takes the time over years to establish meaningful connections with people.
Stu is also a keen student of history and has discovered on his tours that it’s impossible to separate the history of Belgium, and particularly stories of war, from the country’s world renown beer culture. Both are inextricably linked and each offers an insight into the other.
I wanted to ask him how visitors react to the stories of devastation and suffering which surround war history, especially when they’ve travelled to discover and enjoy beer.
Sit back, listen, and enjoy Stu Stuart of Belgian Beer Me! Tours.
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