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What to drink in Flanders? Top 10 Local Beer Styles in Flanders

Last update: Fri May 30 2025
Top 10 Local Beer Styles in Flanders
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Flanders Beer Style Types

01

Ale

WESTMALLE, Belgium
4.3
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Dubbel is a rich and well-balanced Trappist beer that originated in Belgium and whose modern version is often associated with Henrik Verlinden who created the prototype at Westmalle brewery in 1926. This version was named Dubbel Bruin, and soon after its invention, the style was copied in many Belgian breweries.


Unlike other brown beers, typical Belgian dubbel will get its flavor from candi sugar—a thick and dark caramelized syrup that is added to the wort. These beers typically range from amber to copper, and they will usually have complex aromas and flavors reminiscent of toffee, raisins, malt, and dark fruit. 
THE BEST Dubbel Ales
1 La Trappe Dubbel
Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven
La Trappe Dubbel

4.6

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World Beer Cup - Gold 2024

02

Ale

PAJOTTENLAND, Belgium and  one more region
4.3
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Lambic is a traditional beer style that has its roots in Brussels and the region of Pajottenland. This style must be made with a minimum of 30% wheat, and the wort is always spontaneously fermented with local and naturally occurring wild yeasts.


Because of different local microorganisms, these beers always have a unique and frequently unpredictable character. Due to its wild nature, many batches of lambic are sometimes blended, a style known as gueuze or geuze, to produce a more palatable version. 
THE BEST Lambic Ales
1 Oude Geuze Boon Vat 108
Brouwerij Boon
Oude Geuze Boon Vat 108

4.7

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World Beer Cup - Gold 2018

03

Ale

PAJOTTENLAND, Belgium and  one more region
4.1
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Traditionally produced in Brussels and Pajottenland, these fruit beers are made with the addition of cherries. Initially, they were made with Schaarbeekse cherries, but nowadays, other Morello cherries may be used as well. Whole, macerated, or crushed cherries (including the pits) are added to aged lambics, and the beer then continues maturation.


It typically undergoes the second fermentation in the bottle. Like other types of lambic beers, kriek is also spontaneously fermented. Kriek lambics may differ in character, but they are usually refreshing and crisp, with a typical dry and tart finish. 
VARIATIONS OF Kriek Lambic
04

Ale

EAST FLANDERS PROVINCE, Belgium
4.1
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Native to East Flanders, Oud Bruin or Flanders Brown is a Belgian-style brown ale with a distinctive sour character. These beers are usually blended and aged in steel vats. As they age, they develop complexity, and aged varieties are generally considered superior.


Most examples are medium-bodied with a color that varies from deep red to brown. They typically have a malty character accompanied by caramel notes, while the flavor is dark and fruity, reminiscent of dark berries, raisins, plums, prunes, and dates. 
05

Ale

WEST FLANDERS PROVINCE, Belgium
4.1
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Flanders Red is a type of aged sour ale hailing from West Flanders that is often described as a wine-like beer style. The examples are typically medium-bodied and have a distinctive sour character that can vary from balanced to intense.


Their color ranges from burgundy to reddish-brown, and their profile is dominated by complex fruity flavors and aromas reminiscent of cherries, currants, and plums. Hop aroma is absent, while the malt character is present but not overpowering. Flanders Reds are often blended, and most examples are aged in oak barrels, which may impart subtle chocolate, vanilla, and spice notes. 
THE BEST Flanders Red Ales
1
Oregon City Brewing
Desideratum

4.4

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U.S. Open Beer Championship - Gold 2021

06

Ale

PAJOTTENLAND, Belgium and  one more region
3.9
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This Belgian beer style falls in the category of lambics—traditional beers made with spontaneous fermentation. As evident from the name, fruit lambics are made with the addition of fruit. Traditional and the most popular version is the cherry-flavored kriek.


However, several other varieties are also produced, including peach-flavored pêche, raspberry framboise, black currant cassis, and several other variations. Fruit lambics are made with aged lambics in which the whole fruit is then added and macerated before the base is filtered and bottled. 
VARIATIONS OF Fruit Lambic
07

Ale

PAJOTTENLAND, Belgium and  one more region
3.7
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Gueuze is a Belgian lambic-style that is made by blending young and old lambic beers—traditional Belgian brews that are fermented with wild yeasts. The blends then undergo secondary fermentation in the bottle. The combination is made by brewer’s preference, and the final character of gueuze is often unpredictable.


They are typically very effervescent, crisp, and refreshing with unique earthy aromas reminiscent of hay and leather. Usually, they will display moderate sour and malt character, and they will sometimes have nuances of citrus fruit as well as hints of vanilla and oak. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Flanders Beer Style Producers

01

Beer

GHENT, Belgium
4.5
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

BEST Brouwerij Haeseveld Beers
02
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AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

BEST Brouwerij Van Steenberge Beers
03

Beer

HALLE, Belgium
4.3
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Brouwerij Boon is a renowned Belgian brewery located in Lembeek, a town near Halle, in the Flanders region of Belgium. Established in 1978 by Frank Boon, the brewery specializes in traditional Belgian sour beers, particularly lambics. Lambic beers are unique because they are spontaneously fermented, a process in which wild yeast and bacteria from the environment are used for fermentation instead of cultivated yeast.
AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2021

World Beer Cup - Gold

2018, 2016

Untappd - 3.7

BEST Brouwerij Boon Beers
04

Beer

MELLE, Belgium
4.2
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Brouwerij Huyghe is a well-known Belgian brewery, established in 1906 and located in Melle, a town in the Flanders region of Belgium. The brewery is famous for producing a range of high-quality craft beers, including some internationally recognized brands.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024

European Beer Star - Gold

2023, 2021

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

BEST Brouwerij Huyghe Beers
05
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Brouwerij De Halve Maan is a historic Belgian brewery located in the heart of Brugge, Belgium. Founded in 1856, it is one of the oldest and most famous family-owned breweries in the region. The brewery is well-known for producing traditional Belgian beers and for its unique blend of innovation and historical brewing techniques.
AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2023, 2021

World Beer Awards - World’s Best Wheat Beer

2021

Untappd - 3.7

BEST Brouwerij De Halve Maan Beers
06

Beer

MEULEBEKE, Belgium
4.2
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AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

BEST Huisbrouwerij Klondiker Beers
07

Beer

FLANDERS, Belgium
4.1
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De Koperen Markies produces a variety of beers, ranging from light and refreshing ales to robust and complex stouts, ensuring there is something to suit every palate. They place a strong emphasis on using natural ingredients and sustainable practices, which aligns with their philosophy of respecting the craft and the environment.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024, 2021

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

Untappd - 3.3

BEST De Koperen Markies Beers
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Flanders Beer Styles

01
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

02
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AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

03
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The aroma is comparable to the first version. The wine-like accents in this Oude Geuze are combined with a clear 'old beer' character which causes for a strong and robust taste with unmistakable, but not overwhelming volatile acidty.
AWARDS

World Beer Cup - Gold

2018

Untappd - 4.1

04
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Pale copper colour with subtle golden malt character with aromas of lightly toasted sourdough that plays nicely with the cracker pepper spice that this yeast strain produces.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024

European Beer Star - Gold

2021

Untappd - 3.8

05
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This hop variety comes from the hop region of Asse-Aalst and was long thought lost. This hop variety was particularly appreciated in the past because of the large amount of lupulin (bitter substances) that this hop variety contains. This allowed the beer to be stored for longer in earlier times. ⁠
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024, 2021

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

Untappd - 3.4

06
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Brewed in collaboration with the Abbey at Averbode, this Belgian strong ale from the respected Huyghe brewery is a delicious blonde beer with a spicy and citrusy nose and a real fizz on the tongue. It pours relatively clear, and so has a bitter hop finish to it that dries out the sweeter malts, making it refreshing and drinkable even at the high ABV.
AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2023

Untappd - 3.5

07
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An amber coloured Belgian ale brewed using six different types of malts by the “Half Moon” Brewery in Bruges. It is the last authentic triple-style beer brewed in Bruges. Straffe Hendrik Tripel undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle.
AWARDS

European Beer Star - Gold

2023

Untappd - 3.7

08
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AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

09
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Pouring a reddish-copper colour, St Idesbald Rousse offers up aromas of caramel, fruit and pepper. The initial hit of caramel gives way to a subtle bitterness and a dry finish. At 7%, the warming effect of the alcohol adds pleasantly to this balanced drinking experience.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2024

Untappd - 3.3

10
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AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold

2024

Untappd - 3.4

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