There’s a parallel with the professional world: good sales isn’t about multiplying prospects — it’s about knowing your customers. In both cases, what makes the difference isn’t quantity. It’s the precision of the targeting.

With beBeer, that precision starts with a map. And not just any map.

5,000+ Breweries. 300+ Regions. One Interactive Map.

The beBeer interactive map brings together more than 5,000 breweries and taprooms spread across 300+ European regions in 29 countries — the most comprehensive cartography of brewing destinations available to travellers today.

That coverage allows users to plan a city Beer Trip for a weekend, map out a Beer Route across an entire region, or simply identify the places that truly tell the story of a territory. A monastery brewery tucked into the Austrian hills. A trailblazing craft taproom reshaping a neighbourhood in Lille or Cracow. A centuries-old Kölsch institution in Cologne. A farmhouse brewer in rural Normandy. They’re all there — waiting to be found.

Every Traveller Draws Their Own Route

What sets the beBeer map apart isn’t just its scale. It’s the freedom it gives each user.

Whether you’re a curious traveller with a weekend to spare, a food lover planning a gastronomic detour, or a dedicated beer enthusiast building a multi-city Beer Trip, the map lets you compose your own itinerary — based on your tastes, your schedule and the territories you want to explore.

A brewery isn’t just a pin on a map. It’s a gateway to a local craft, a regional food culture, a landscape and an identity. The beBeer interactive map makes those connections visible — and navigable.

Beer Travel, Done Right

As Beer Trips become one of Europe’s fastest-growing travel trends, travellers are increasingly looking beyond mass tourism circuits. They want slower, more meaningful journeys — ones that take them into medium-sized towns, brewing communes and rural areas that rarely make it onto a mainstream travel itinerary. The beBeer map is built precisely for that kind of discovery: authentic, local, rooted in European brewing heritage and sustainable tourism values.

Behind the numbers — 5,000 breweries, 300 regions, a continent’s worth of craft culture — there’s a simple idea: travel through brewing culture. The better you navigate, the better you travel. And the better you travel, the more you discover.

🍺 Ready to explore Europe differently? Open the beBeer interactive map and start planning your next Beer Trip: bebeer.app/en/maps

beBeer in your pocket — your European beer tourism companion.

The post The Map That Changes How You Travel Europe’s Brewing Regions. appeared first on Brussels Express.

For centuries, beer was treated as a simple matter of taste — a drink to be enjoyed and forgotten. But across Europe, a quiet shift is under way. Behind every glass lies a territory: a commune, a region, a landscape, and generations of know-how passed from hand to hand. Turning that heritage into a genuine tourism asset is exactly the ambition of the European Network of Brewing Communes and Regions (RECORB), a non-profit association under Belgian law officially launched on 24 June 2026 at the Press Club Brussels Europe.

Beer as a Gateway to European Heritage

RECORB offers local and regional leaders a change of perspective. Rather than showcasing breweries alone, it champions entire territories — weaving together culture, heritage, gastronomy and local identity. Beer becomes the gateway to Europe’s history, landscapes and traditions.

The logic is powerful for any commune or region. Beer tourism draws visitors away from saturated tourist hotspots and towards smaller cities, rural communes and regions off the mass-tourism trail. It sustains hotels, restaurants, shops and local crafts. And because brewing follows the rhythm of harvests, festivals and seasonal traditions, it spreads visitor flows throughout the year — not just during peak weeks. This is the essence of the Beer Trips movement now reshaping European travel: authentic local discovery, slow tourism, and a spotlight on lesser-known destinations.

A European Recognition at the Right Moment

The network arrives at a pivotal time. On 28 April 2026, the European Parliament adopted MEP Daniel Attard‘s resolution on sustainable tourism — the first European parliamentary text to explicitly name beer and beer tourism, alongside wine and gastronomy, as a lever for sustainable European tourism. It also recognised the role of cities, communes and regions in rebalancing tourist flows. With the European Commission now preparing its first unified strategy for sustainable tourism, brewing heritage has secured its place on the continental agenda.

That recognition was echoed at the launch by those shaping European policy. As Benoît Cassart, Member of the European Parliament, put it: « through beer tourism, regions keep their identity and local traditions alive, support local economies and enhance the appeal of their territories. He described it as a tangible tool for promoting cultural heritage, creating jobs and strengthening territorial cohesion across Europe — with cities and regions holding a key role in preserving and showcasing this shared asset« .

A Label, a Network, a Set of Tools

At the heart of the scheme sits the « Brewing Commune » label. Modelled on the well-known « towns in bloom » scheme, it distinguishes territories according to the intensity of their brewing presence — one, two or three hops — and unites brewers, taverns, restaurateurs, guilds, museums, tourist offices and festivals under a single banner. At the launch, the Walloon municipality of Braine-l’Alleud — better known for the Battle of Waterloo — was named RECORB’s very first official Brewing Commune, proof that a territory’s legacy can be built on malt, hops and craftsmanship as much as on history. The plaque and its allotted number of hops will be presented at a ceremony in the coming weeks.

As the institutional partner of the beBeer ecosystem, RECORB draws on a suite of digital tools designed for cultural and heritage discovery: the beBeer in your pocket web app, the Beer Planner, the Beer Routes, the Beer Trips and the interactive Brasserium. Together they create a « phygital » form of tourism, where on-site experience and digital resources reinforce one another. beBeer is not a « beer network » but a European beer tourism initiative built on authentic travel experiences and sustainable discovery.

An Industry Behind the Idea

The launch at the Press Club Brussels Europe brought together the Permanent Representations to the European Union, regional representation offices in Brussels and the press, alongside European craft brewers who illustrated the continent’s brewing diversity. The initiative also drew the backing of Europe’s brewing sector. Julia Leferman, Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, underlined that beer is more than a beverage — it is part of Europe’s cultural heritage and an important contributor to its economic future. She noted that initiatives like RECORB help strengthen the connection between breweries, communities and regions, highlighting the role of beer in supporting tourism, local development and European competitiveness.

An Invitation to Europe’s Mayors and Regional Leaders

For local and regional elected representatives, the opportunity is concrete. To join RECORB is to have your territory’s brewing heritage formally recognised, to strengthen its appeal and local economic development, and to bring your brewers, cafés, restaurateurs and cultural players together under one identity. Communes earn the « Brewing Commune » label and gain European visibility; regions can link their communes into genuine Beer Routes that stitch local ingredients, historic towns, outstanding breweries and living communities into a single journey.

Brewing heritage, in the end, is far more than the glass we share — it is a powerful driver of identity, tourism appeal and local pride for hundreds of European communes and regions.

Does your territory have a brewing story to tell? Join the movement and discover more here: www.recorb.eu

The post Explore Europe Differently! appeared first on Brussels Express.

Walk into any traditional Brauhaus in Cologne and you will notice something unusual. The waiter — known here as a Köbes — does not ask what you want. He simply places a small, elegant 200ml glass of Kölsch on your table and marks a tick on your coaster. Welcome to one of Europe’s last truly living beer rituals.

Kölsch is more than a beer style. It is a protected appellation, legally brewed only within the city limits, and governed by the Kölsch Konvention — a rare brewing agreement that ties the drink directly to local identity, architecture and neighbourhood tradition. No other European city protects its beer culture quite like this.

A Brewing Map Written in Cobblestones

Cologne’s beer landscape reads like a walk through the city’s history. At Früh am Dom, the cathedral’s twin towers loom just metres away while regulars fill long wooden tables. A few streets south, Brauerei zur Malzmühle has been pouring its signature Mühlen Kölsch in the shadow of the Old Town’s medieval gables since the 19th century. Over in the Altstadt, Brauhaus Sion and Schreckenskammer — one of Cologne’s oldest taverns — anchor a gastronomic quarter where beer and Rhineland cuisine are inseparable.

But the real surprise lies beyond the tourist centre. In the Ehrenfeld district, a wave of craft brewing has quietly reshaped the city’s beer identity. Braustelle brews boundary-pushing styles like the Ehrenfelder Alt and the boldly named Pink Panther, while Hellers Brauhaus balances tradition and experimentation with its own Kölsch, Wiess and seasonal Maibock. Meanwhile, BRAUWELT Köln (Sünner) — housed in a stunning industrial complex — bridges brewing heritage with cultural programming, making it a destination in its own right.

For those who want to explore further, dedicated tasting bars like Craftbeer Corner Coeln and Cölln Craft Beer Bar curate rotating tap lists that showcase Germany’s evolving craft beer experience alongside local classics. And the city’s own Biermuseum offers a deeper dive into the brewing heritage that shaped the Rhineland.

Why Cologne Matters for European Beer Tourism

Cologne embodies what a genuine craft beer travel experience should look like: a city where brewing is woven into architecture, gastronomy and daily life — not packaged for consumption. This is exactly the kind of destination that Beer Trips are designed to reveal, encouraging slow tourism and authentic local discovery in European cities that go far beyond the mass-tourism trail.

As a European beer city, Cologne rewards the curious traveller — the one willing to leave the cathedral square, wander into Ehrenfeld, sit at the bar of a century-old Brauhaus, and let the Köbes decide the pace. It is sustainable tourism at its most natural: rooted in place, driven by flavour, shaped by people.

Discover the full Cologne Beer Trip on beBeer in pocket here: https://www.bebeer.app/bebeer/information/cologne

The post Cologne: Where Kölsch Culture Meets Europe’s Most Authentic Beer Trip appeared first on Brussels Express.

From Belgium and Germany to the Czech Republic, Italy or France, more and more Europeans are organising weekends around brewing culture, local gastronomy and authentic experiences. The rise of experiential tourism, slow travel and food-focused escapes has created the perfect environment for a fast-growing trend: European beer tourism.

Far from traditional mass tourism routes, these Beer Trips encourage travellers to discover Europe differently — through brewing cities, medium-sized towns and rural communes shaped by local brewing traditions and regional identity. Across Europe, brewing heritage remains deeply connected to cultural heritage, architecture, gastronomy and local history, linking visitors to centuries of craftsmanship, conviviality and hospitality.

This is precisely the ambition behind the Beer Trip Planner developed by beBeer in your pocket.

The platform allows users to discover beer-focused escapes across Europe by highlighting brewing cities, local beer experiences, brewpubs, traditional venues and thematic itineraries designed for travellers seeking authenticity and local immersion. The objective is not simply to promote beer, but to encourage a new way of exploring European destinations through brewing culture and local tourism experiences.

Users can already explore around fifteen Beer Trips across Europe, with new destinations progressively joining the platform. Importantly, beBeer positions itself as a European beer tourism initiative — not as a beer network — by focusing on travel experiences, brewing heritage and sustainable tourism dynamics connected to local identity.

The project also anticipates the European Union’s evolving strategy on sustainable tourism by encouraging travellers to discover lesser-known destinations, secondary cities, medium-sized towns and rural communities outside classic tourism circuits. The ambition is clear: promoting slower, more balanced and more authentic tourism experiences across Europe while helping diversify tourism flows beyond overcrowded destinations.

This evolution reflects broader changes in European travel habits. Increasingly, travellers are looking for meaningful local experiences rooted in gastronomy, regional culture and human interaction rather than traditional sightseeing alone. Train-accessible escapes, walkable destinations and encounters with local communities are becoming central elements of modern European tourism.

Beer tourism naturally fits these expectations. Across Europe, brewing culture has become a gateway to discovering local heritage, regional traditions and overlooked destinations often absent from classic tourism guides. From historic brewing cities to rural beer-producing communes, European beer culture is increasingly emerging as a powerful tourism experience in its own right.

One of beBeer’s more innovative features also allows users to suggest new brewing cities and communes that deserve recognition for their beer culture and tourism potential, helping expand visibility for emerging beer tourism destinations across Europe.

At a time when European tourism increasingly values authenticity, sustainability and cultural discovery, Beer Trips may well become one of the season’s most promising travel trends for beer lovers and urban explorers alike.

For travellers looking to combine exploration, European heritage, gastronomy and brewing culture, the next getaway may now begin with a beer.

Discover the Beer Trip Planner here:
beBeer Trip Planner

The post Beer Trips Are Becoming Europe’s New Escape — and beBeer Wants to Lead the Trend appeared first on Brussels Express.

During this 5-day training course, the heart of Europe became a hands-on classroom for aspiring lobbyists and policy professionals. Under the theme « Mastering EU Influence: Practical Lobbying and Networking in Brussels, » this unique program was organised for the fourth time by EPHEC lecturers Pascal Goergen and Katrien Bostyn, with support from the EU’s Erasmus+ programme.

International weeks like this one, typically five days long and hosted by European universities, are designed to bring together students from partner institutions around a central theme. This year’s focus – Lobbying and Networking in the EU – was both timely and ambitious.

The week began with a “field visit” inside the EU Quarter. Students set off on a scavenger hunt of sorts, identifying major EU institutions and associations, and even spotting key players by the badges they wore. The tour included insider visits to the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Committee of the Regions, each offering interactive presentations by experts working inside the institutions.

But perhaps the highlight came with a special visit to the iconic Press Club Brussels Europe. There, students attended exclusive talks from seasoned lobbyists including Paul Cartuyvels, Executive Director at Bouygues Europe, and Inma Valencia, Director of the Cantabria Regional Office. A networking lunch followed, giving participants a rare opportunity to connect with professionals in an informal setting.

For many, the experience was more than just educational—it was transformational. “I’ve always dreamed of working in EU institutions,” said one participant. “This week brought me closer to that goal.” Even for local students from Brussels, the experience proved revelatory. “I walk past these buildings every day,” another shared, “but I never realized what really happens inside.”

The academic challenge of the week revolved around a creative case study: crafting a lobbying strategy to promote a regional cheese in Brussels’ complex institutional landscape. Students were grouped across cultures and disciplines, encouraging rich collaboration. A dedicated workshop on intercultural communication gave them the tools to navigate team dynamics and work effectively together.

Despite the tight timeline, the students’ final presentations on the last day revealed sharp insights, strategic thinking, and above all—a newfound confidence in navigating EU influence.

For EPHEC and its European academic partners, the event marked another successful edition of a growing tradition. For the students, it may have been the first step into the corridors of European power.

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From June 13 to 15, visitors can enjoy complimentary access to two newly inaugurated galleries at the Art & History Museum in Brussels, celebrating Belgium’s rich heritage in 19th-century decorative arts, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco. In view of the opening to the wider public, Their Majesties the King and Queen visited the new spaces on 10 June.

A Long-Awaited Revival of Hidden Treasures

The new spaces mark a major milestone in the museum’s evolution, presenting long-unseen masterpieces in a fresh, immersive setting designed to highlight their artistic and historical significance.

The Art Nouveau and Art Deco gallery (715 m²) is a visual feast, immersing visitors in the dynamic world of Belgian modern decorative arts. Born in Brussels in 1893, Art Nouveau is showcased through emblematic works by Victor Horta, Henry van de Velde, Paul Hankar, and others. A true highlight is the fully restored winter garden from the Maison Cousin by Horta — an architectural gem unveiled to the public for the first time.

This vibrant narrative continues with an exploration of Belgian Art Deco, revealing its stylistic diversity and modernist elegance.

In parallel, the 19th-Century Decorative Arts gallery (500 m²) offers a rich journey through major 19th-century styles such as Empire, Neo-Gothic, and Japonism. This new space paints a detailed portrait of bourgeois life in the 1800s, featuring exquisite furniture, everyday objects, and rare masterpieces. Several highlights have been generously loaned by the King Baudouin Foundation.

A Cultural Celebration

This three-day opening celebration is more than just a visit — it’s an invitation to rediscover Belgian artistic heritage in one of the country’s most iconic museums. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, a history lover, or simply curious, these new galleries promise a compelling cultural experience.

The museum is located in Parc du Cinquantenaire and easily accessible by public transport.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to step into the past and celebrate the beauty of Belgian design — admission is free from June 13 to 15.

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A Strong Market Presence in Japan

Belgian food and drink products enjoy a solid reputation in Japan, where the “Belgian” label is associated with quality, craftsmanship, and trust. Belgian beer, fries, and frozen vegetables are widely recognized, while chocolates and biscuits are especially popular during Japan’s traditional gift-giving seasons—ochugen in summer and oseibo at year-end.

“This is a strategic opportunity,” says Bart Buysse, CEO of Fevia. “Belgian products are well-established in Japan, and we must build on that momentum to strengthen our position in this mature market. Following the success of the 2022 Belgian economic mission to Japan, this week offers another chance to deepen our trade ties.”

Revitalizing a Key Export Market

Exports drive the Belgian food industry, accounting for half of its revenue. Although Japan was once Belgium’s second-largest non-European export market, it now ranks fift, behind the U.S., Saudi Arabia, China, and Australia. Despite this, the Japanese market remains rich in potential. A delegation of Belgian food companies will attend the Expo to foster closer trade relationships.

A Taste of Innovation and Tradition

During the six-month Expo, Belgium will spotlight its strengths under the overarching theme “Human Regeneration.” A key highlight is the Belgian Food & Drinks Week, where visitors will experience Belgium’s innovation in plant-based cuisine, alcohol-free beverages, and chocolate traceability.

Events such as the “We’re Smart World Future Awards” will further showcase Belgium’s dedication to responsible food production and consumption. Meanwhile, tastings and seminars will celebrate beloved Belgian staples like chocolate and biscuits—products that resonate strongly with Japanese consumers and gift-giving culture.

The Belgian pavilion’s boutique, already a visitor favorite, offers a curated selection of premium confectionery and bakery items. Its success reflects Japan’s appetite for high-quality imported goods and reinforces Belgium’s image as a premium, trustworthy food brand.

Featured Partners

Participating Fevia members and pavilion partners include: AB InBev, Astra Sweets, Avieta, Belgian Chocolate Group, Brasserie De Halve Maan, Brasserie Huyghe, Centho Chocolates, Chant d’Éole, Chimay, Duvel, Godiva, Jules Destrooper, Leonidas, Lotus, Lutosa, Neuhaus, Rombouts, Val Dieu, Vermeiren, and Vondelmolen.

About Expo 2025 Osaka

Expo 2025 runs from 13 April to 13 October in Osaka under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” Belgium’s pavilion, managed by BelExpo (the General Commission for International Exhibitions), focuses on the theme “Human Regeneration.” For more information, visit BelExpo’s official website.

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In a city like Brussels – Europe’s political capital and a hub of international cultural projection – every event has the potential to amplify a region’s visibility well beyond its borders. Aware of this, the Office has promoted cultural initiatives with high symbolic value that strengthen Cantabria’s presence at the heart of Europe.

One of the most recent and noteworthy initiatives was the performance of the Coral Voces Cántabras, which traveled to Brussels as part of its centenary celebrations to offer a moving double concert. The Cantabrian ensemble first performed a selection of sacred music in the majestic Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, followed by a concert of traditional Cantabrian music at the renowned Musical Instruments Museum (MIM).

During this commemorative event, a rabel – a traditional string instrument – specially crafted for the occasion, was donated to the MIM, symbolizing the region’s rich musical folklore. The instrument now joins the museum’s collection of more than 8,000 instruments from across Europe and beyond, including others from Cantabria.

The Minister of Economy, Finance, Regional Funding and European Funds of the Government of Cantabria, Luis Ángel Agüeros, attended both concerts and emphasized the significance of the event: “This recital, held in celebration of the choir’s centenary, aims to showcase Cantabria’s musical traditions as part of Europe’s broader musical heritage, highlighting our regional folklore in a symbolic venue such as the Museum of Musical Instruments, which houses over 8,000 instruments from around the world—including some from Cantabria, like the rabel.”

This concert was supported by the ministry led by Agüeros through the Directorate-General for European Funds, as part of a strategy to promote Cantabria’s cultural heritage within the European context.

Founded in 1924 by musicologist and folklorist Matilde de la Torre Gutiérrez, the Voces Cántabras Choir gave its first performance that same year in Cabezón de la Sal, the town where it originated. Over the course of a century, it has maintained a broad repertoire encompassing sacred music, zarzuela, opera, spirituals, habaneras, and of course, traditional Cantabrian songs. It has received numerous accolades, including the Gold Medal for Cultural Merit from the Cabezón de la Sal City Council, and has performed at international venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Over the years, the Cantabria Office in Brussels has supported a wide range of cultural events that highlight the region’s artistic diversity and deep-rooted traditions. In 2004, the Government of Cantabria and the Association of Campurrian Rabel Players organized a concert of traditional Cantabrian music at the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) in Brussels, during which a handcrafted rabel campurriano was donated to the museum. 

Two years later, in 2006, the Peña Labra Choir performed at the Cantabria Office during the EU’s Regional Open Days, presenting a repertoire of choral pieces that reflected both classical influences and local folklore. In 2010, two further initiatives reinforced Cantabria’s cultural presence in the Belgian capital: the exhibition “Visions of the End of Times: Beatus of Liébana and the Beatus Manuscripts”, held at the Instituto Cervantes and accompanied by a concert of ancient music that evoked the spiritual atmosphere of the Middle Ages; and a vibrant performance at the MIM by the youth ensemble Retales Casi Sinfónicos, whose eclectic mix of Spanish guitars, strings, woodwinds, accordions, and lyrical voices showcased the creativity and energy of a new generation of Cantabrian musicians.

Another major milestone was Cantabria’s prominent participation in the 2019 Folklorissimo Festival, held at the iconic Grand Place in Brussels. Spain was the guest of honor that year, and Cantabria stood out with over 100 artists and groups showcasing the region’s cultural, musical, gastronomic, and tourist identity. The “Virgen de las Nieves de Tanos” group represented traditional Cantabrian music during the festival’s main event, while the “Cantabria Infinita” stand offered tastings of local products and promotional materials.

For Inma Valencia, the objective is clear: “Cantabria’s culture has found in Brussels a powerful stage from which to be heard. It’s not just about being present in the political or economic forums of the EU, but also about sharing our traditions, our music, and our roots with international audiences.”

In short, Cantabria’s external action in Brussels demonstrates how culture can serve as a strategic tool for regional diplomacy. Thanks to the ongoing work of its Office in the European capital, Cantabria continues to carve out its place at the cultural heart of Europe.

The post Brussels as a European Cultural Showcase: The Role of Regional Representation Offices in Promoting Regional Culture appeared first on Brussels Express.

The principle is simple and participative: Local inhabitants, shopkeepers and other key local players are invited to work together to craft their own beer. The journey starts with a survey in which everyone shares what and how it feels like to live in their particular neighborhood. Then, during a friendly meet-and-greet evening, the participants decide together on the recipe (flavor, taste) and on the design for the label. The sky is truly not the limit when it comes to imagination: these ‘creators’ can imagine a beer inspired by an old local brewery, redolent of flowers, with just that fruity aftertaste or even brimming with local spices… Clearly, anything is possible. They can come up with a watermark of the streets logo, and perhaps clip some unexpected anecdotes from the neighbourhood to enhance the overall experience.

Meet the founders: Bruno and Greg

The Bières de Quartiers adventure was born out of the friendship between Bruno and Greg, two beer aficionados. Bruno, a beer lover since he was a boy, and Greg, a fervent advocate of local synergies, combined their passions to create this unique project together. Their most obvious aim won’t come as a surprise; chiefly, both friends wanted to please our taste buds! But their project fulfills another wish, one that strengthens human ties within and across these neighbourhoods of Brussels. Although they don’t have their own brewing facilities (apart from a 30-litre tank for running their tests), they are proud of their collaborations with partner craft brewhouses.

As stated earlier, the Bières de Quartiers project is indeed based on this collaborative principle of getting locals, shopkeepers and other key players involved in the local community to both imagine and craft their very own beer. Following, are the three main stages of the process: first, local stakeholders are brought together, and a questionnaire is handed out to gather residents’ ideas and preferences for their neighbourhood in particular. Next, during a nice and cozy evening, the participants (not to call them ‘neighbors’) decide together on the ingredients of the recipe for the beer as well as on the design for the label. 
These newly imagined, unique beers are then brewed in partner brewhouses in Brussels such as CoHop in Etterbeek and ILLegaal in Forest. These two places also host creative workshops, with a tasting experience at the end. Finally, the last phase, fermentation and maturation, is carried out in specifically designed 10 or 20hl brewing tanks.

At the core of every project: a strong sense of flexibility and a desire to listen

The project aims at a flexible approach to adapt to and meet the expectations and spending limits of all these ‘neighbors from the blocks’. To reach their target and achieve this goal, several packages have been thought of, offering varied and dynamic services. According to Greg, one of the two founders of the project: ‘We offer three packages to suit everyone’s needs. With the ‘Basic’ package, we offer the project’s essentials: a questionnaire to get local people involved, personalised posters and the production process of the beer. The ‘Support’ package goes the extra mile, offering a bonus workshop led by a zythologist (a beer connoisseur) who will guide you as you discover the world of brewing, and support their journey on social networks to give the project greater visibility. Finally, our ‘Tailor-made ’ package includes a photographer to capture the highlights and a summary video. The participatory aspect of the project is paramount to us. Each district or block decides how it wants to support the project and help define its goals. Some will develop the beer with us, others will use it to strengthen ties or bonds between neighbors or just showcase their little corner of Brussels, their safe haven’. 

A Practical Example: The ‘Quartier de la Levure’ – The Yeast Block

The ‘Quartier de la Levure’ decided to craft its own signature beer for its annual braderie (a lively, community-focused event usually held along the street or in public spaces in Belgium). They decided to buy 500 litres, store them, distribute them deliver and leave the invoicing to Bières de Quartiers. They planned to resell the beer with a margin of €1 to fund a neighbourhood project and even shoot videos/commercials with a few key local players. They finished it to the last signature drop within eight months!

In short, Bières de Quartiers is much more than just an adult beverage. It’s a collective experience that reinforces this sense of belonging to a particular quarter (block), while at the same time promoting Brussels’ traditional know-how.

And why not create the beer of the European Quarter?

Dear Brussels-Express readers, would you be interested in crafting a beer in and around the European Quarter? Imagine a beer that would reflect the heart and soul of our dynamic and cosmopolitan district! Calling out to all beer lovers out there that might be interested, please feel free to reach out through email to contact@brussels-express.eu with the subject line: Quarter Beer. 

The post When Beer Becomes the Signature Drink from the Block appeared first on Brussels Express.

Since 2022, the municipality of Grez-Doiceau, 28 kilometres south of Brussels in the Walloon region, has been working with other municipalities in Europe to create a European cultural route on the theme of Saint George and the Dragon. In August 2023, a delegation from the municipality travelled to Beesel (Netherlands) to meet representatives of other towns celebrating St George and the Dragon across Europe. In addition to the host town of Beesel, the partner municipalities are Furth im Wald (Germany), Montblanc (Spain) and Monçao (Portugal). Together with Grez-Doiceau, they have ratified a letter of intent to set up this European network around Saint George and the dragon.

What is a European cultural route?

It’s a programme launched in 1987 by the Council of Europe, which aims to demonstrate that the heritage of different European countries contributes to the common heritage. Today, there are 47 cultural routes, each promoting a common cultural heritage between different countries, around a specific theme, such as the ‘Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela’, the ‘Viking Route’, the ‘Route of the Impressionists’, etc. Discover the list of existing European cultural routes here.

Cultural routes are networks that promote fundamental European values such as democracy, human rights, diversity, cultural identity and mutual exchange across borders. To be registered as a European Cultural Route, the network must meet a number of criteria, including: highlighting a European cultural and heritage legacy, bringing together at least 3 Council of Europe member countries, highlighting European values, drawing on scientific research, contributing to cultural and educational exchanges for young people and promoting sustainable tourism through innovative projects.

Why Saint George and the Dragon?

The theme of Saint George and the dragon is an important cultural heritage from Europe’s past. It is represented in numerous traditions throughout the continent, and the symbolism of the battle between good and evil is recurrent. By registering this heritage as a European Cultural Route, the local authorities are seeking to highlight this legacy of tradition and sharing, as well as promoting European diversity and tourism.

Meeting in Monçao, Portugal

After Beesel in August 2023, a meeting was held this year in Monçao with partner municipalities, with the aim of making progress towards this forthcoming bid. The meeting also provided an opportunity to pool the similarities and convergences between the different traditions in the cities and communes in the network. They also have their own specific characteristics, depending on the country or town where the festivities are celebrated. Although the battle between Saint George and the dragon remains a central element, each town has its own legend and organises a wide variety of activities.

What next?

Each cultural route must have a legal personality to manage and coordinate the network. To this end, an association called ‘Saint-Georges and the Dragon’ is being set up. Issues such as branding and communication still need to be addressed before the various municipalities can submit a joint bid to set up this European cultural route. The bid is due to be submitted in 2026. 

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