This year’s 26th edition of the Belgian Beer Weekend will be a long one, with ten days of Belgian Beer Culture announced by the professional Belgian brewers’ association to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Belgian beer’s recognition by the UN as part of the intangible heritage of humanity.
Between 4 and 13 September 2026, a series of festivities will take place, including an opening weekend of now customary celebrations at Brussels’ Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral and an educational event at Brussels City Hall, not to mention the transformation of the city’s Grand Place into a showcase allowing attendees to sample more than 500 beers from 49 breweries.
The festival website boasts: “For three days, more than 50 breweries from across Belgium gather to present their beers in a unique setting. From legendary Trappist brewers to innovative microbreweries, Belgian Beer Weekend celebrates the diversity, craftsmanship and culture of Belgian beer.”
Entrance to the Belgian Beer Weekend is free. However, attendees need to pay to taste the different offerings. On arrival, guests receive a payment card that can be charged with tokens via a QR code or at a payment booth. Prepaid cards can also be ordered and charged with set amounts, then supplied to allow corporate hosts to treat their team or clients for example, removing any need for on-the-spot payments.
Visitors to the festival should be aware that, for safety reasons, backpacks and luggage are not allowed on site, and there are no lockers in-situ, but festival partner Radical Storage offers nearby luggage storage from €6.99/day with insurance up to €3,000. The festival organisers recommend “travelling light and leaving valuables at home.” It’s also important to note that pets cannot be permitted on site, with the exception of certified assistance dogs.
Over the entire 10-day period, enthusiasts and the simply curious can also visit the “Belgian Beer Culture Bar” installed in Beursplein in the heart of the Belgian capital, where approximately 40 breweries will be represented, and visitors can get involved in a variety of brewing-related activities. Inside the capital’s historic Bourse building, Belgian Beer World offers a deep dive into Belgium’s brewing culture (before, during, or after the festivities) through interactive exhibits, tastings, and rooftop views.
The dose of culture doesn’t end there. The last weekend of the ten-day festival, over 12 and 13 September, will see the historic Belgian city of Bruges hosting its own Bruges Beer Festival.
For aficionados who cannot make it to the September celebrations, Belgian Beer World is in fact, open all year, as are hundreds of breweries across the country, who welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
