3x Fun on an Antwerp Beer Tour : The Best Tours, Bars and Beer Tasting Tips
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Would you like to go on an Antwerp beer tour?
You came to the right spot! Beer in Belgium is not just a beverage, but also a huge part of my country’s culture.
That’s why beer tours are a popular item on visitors’ itineraries and since you came across this post, I’m pretty sure this includes you too!
Now, let’s take a closer look at the best Antwerp beer tours and I’ll also add in some helpful beer-tasting tips you can use during your visit!
By the way, I lived in Antwerp for nearly 8 years, so it’s like a second home to me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
ANTWERP BEERWALK
⭐ 5.0 | ⌛ 3h
5 tasting sessions in Antwerp’s most legendary beer bars
The best Antwerp Beer Tour
1. Antwerp BeerWalk with English Guide
⭐️ RATING: 5.0 (59 Reviews) | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | 💰 CHECK PRICE
Antwerp BeerWalk is a 3-hour guided beer tour that helps you find the best pubs across Antwerp. Not only that, this will also take you to some of the city’s most famous sites!
For its price, it can already take you to five beer-tasting sessions with a BeerWalk mug included!
You’ll have the opportunity to visit more pubs and cafes on this guided beer walk, and among them is Highlander Cafe, a Scottish pub with a rich beer menu.
Also, you can visit De Ware Jacob, a folk cafe in Antwerp, where you can enjoy an exclusive beer with a somewhat naughty history.
This tour provides an English guide but offers a French and Dutch alternative if that suits your needs more.
Such a fantastic tour with an enjoyable host!
Paul_P, May 2022 see more reviews
Antwerp beer tour
2. Antwerp: City Brewery De Koninck Interactive Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.6 / 5.0 (246 Reviews) | ⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | 💰 CHECK PRICE
This brewery tour at Antwerp City Brewery is an interactive tour at your own speed where you can learn about Antwerp as a beer city, including the history of Belgian beers and the brewing process.
Start with a beer treat, and during the tour, you’ll enjoy interactive and audiovisual effects for an immersive experience of the brewery.
Plus, you’ll get to enjoy another beer along the way!
The highlight is the four-meter-high bridge in the brew house, which provides you with a unique view and experience of the brewery.
Fantastic experience, I highly recommend it. Great information on the history and importance of Antwerp brewing.
tina, august 2023 see more reviews
Antwerp beer tour
3. Self-Guided Pub Trail in Antwerp with Online Pub Game
⌛ TOUR LENGTH: 2-4 hours | 💰 CHECK PRICE
This self-guided pub trail in Antwerp allows you to explore the city center while at the same time enjoying a pub crawl and a scavenger hunt in one package!
As part of the pub trail, you’ll get to explore amazing places like the Grote Markt, Cathedral of Our Lady, Town Hall, and more!
It also provides a free online app for your device. Simply download the app, and you can start your pub trail quickly!
Antwerp beer tour
Drinking Beer in Antwerp
Like the rest of Belgium, drinking beer in Antwerp is a popular pastime.
With its many microbreweries and pubs, it’s an ideal place for beer lovers to sample some of the best Belgium beers. From classic Belgian ales to experimental craft brews, there’s plenty for you to taste.
Make sure to try one of these local beers:
- Bolleke (De Koninck Brewery)
- Tripel d’Anvers (De Koninck Brewery)
- Seef Troebel Blond
- Lucie Sterk Blond
- Eilandje NEIPA
Best Antwerp Beer Bars
🍻 Paters Vaetje
This incredible place is ideal if you’re looking for a wide selection of classic Belgian beer.
It is located next to the Cathedral (find the location on a map here) and has a cosy and relaxing ambience. They also offer small plates of food if you would like to eat something.
The friendly staff is very accommodating, and they’re open throughout the entire week from 11:00 a.m. It comes with a nice outdoor seating too.
🍻 Kulminator
A legendary beer bar in Antwerp to try vintage Belgian beers. The place also offers beers from other countries and has an 81-page menu collection.
Though not the most picturesque in Antwerp, when it comes to aged beers, you can’t find one better than Kulminator.
This cluttered yet cosy bar, perfect for Belgian beer lovers, is situated in the historical centre, just behind the botanical garden. You can find the location on a map here.
They’re open from 11:00 to 18:00 (Tuesday-Saturday) and offer outdoor seating for their customers.
🍻 Beerlovers Bars
Beerlovers Bar has a menu of more than 150 beers, including blonde, IPA, stout, vintage, and even gluten-free options.
They have bartenders who can help you choose the perfect beer. Just tell them your preferred colour and taste, and they’ll provide expert advice to find the right one for you!
This bar can be found close to Antwerp’s Central Station (you can find the location on a map here). It’s open from 15:00 to 2:00 every day except Tuesdays.
🍻 Billie’s Bier Kaféteria
Billie’s Bier Kaféteria is a nice bar located in the centre of Antwerp. It’s the best place to find special beers as they have a selection of about 180 different ones (mostly Belgian ones), including 11 draught beers.
The place has a relaxing ambience, and they also serve different kinds of typical Belgian food (including various vegetarian options).
In addition to that, the bar provides board games for you to enjoy while you’re there. Billie’s Bier Kaféteria is also an excellent choice for dinner and late-night outings.
The bar is open from 16:00 to 00:00 every day except Tuesdays. During the weekend, Billie’s Beer Bar opens a bit earlier (at 14:00) and on Friday and Saturday nights you get to hang out a little longer (until 01:00).
You can find this bar mere steps away from Antwerp’s heart, the Groenplaats. You can find it on a map here.
🍻 Oud Arsenaal
This bar is worth visiting not only because of its variety of beer offerings but also because of its interior. It showcases lots of vintage beer signs, antique wallpaper, and framed portraits.
This little bar offers a wide selection of beer options, including over 30 lambic beers. With outdoor seating, it’s a great choice for groups, and they provide free Wi-Fi.
Oud Arsenaal can be found on the Theaterplein, a charming square where you can find a pretty nice market during the weekends. Find the location on a map here.
It’s open 5 days a week, closed only on Monday and Tuesday. From Wednesdays to Fridays, you can get a beer from 10:00 to 22:00, while during the weekend, you can hop in from 7:30 to 19:30.
Antwerp Beer Festivals
✨ Modeste Bierfestival
The Modeste Beer Festival is held at the historic De Koninck Brewery, a popular spot for beer lovers in Antwerp. The brewery not only serves as a venue for the festival but also provides a unique and authentic setting for visitors to learn about the brewing process and history of Belgian beers.
To enter the festival, there is a nominal fee of 5 euros. However, this includes a degustation glass that you can use to taste all the different beers available. This glass is yours to keep as a souvenir of the event.
The festival offers different kinds of beers from various breweries, with most of them priced at €1,5. Some special or rare beers may cost up to €2,5.
✨ Billie’s Craft Beer Fest
Billie’s Craft Beer Fest in Antwerp is held at Waagnatie Expo & Events, a large venue that provides the perfect space for craft beer lovers to gather and try out some of the best beers in the world. The festival offers an all-in-one ticket formula.
This ticket includes entry into the festival, a BCBF tasting glass, and unlimited beer tasting. With around 400 different beers available, you will have plenty of beers to try.
✨ BEER PASSION WEEKEND
Held annually in June at the Groenplaats square, with over 200 different types of beers to try. Local brewers set up their stands and offer samples of their unique brews, giving visitors a chance to experience Belgian beer culture firsthand.
Entrance is free, and every consumption costs €3.
Antwerp Beer Tasting Tips
📌 Ask Questions and Be Curious: Don’t be shy to chat with the guides and brewmasters. They love talking about beers, brewing, and the history of the brewery! It’s a great way to learn more and have fun!
📌 Pace Yourself: Take your time with each beer tasting. Enjoy the flavours, smells, and unique characteristics of each brew. No rush, just maximize the experience!
📌 Try Different Beer Styles: Antwerp has a wide variety of beers to offer. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new! You might discover some exciting and delicious options!
📌 Pair Beer with Food: Some tours come with food that perfectly complements the beers. So, try to experiment with how flavours work together!
📌 Take Notes: If you find a beer you really love, jot down its name or take a quick pic! This way, you won’t forget your favourites, and you can try them again soon!
📌 Socialize and Enjoy the Company: Beer brings people together! Talk to fellow enthusiasts, share your thoughts, and make new friends during the tour.
📌 Drink Responsibly: It’s all about enjoying the experience, so remember to know your limits when you drink!
📌 Support Local Breweries: Show some love to the local brewers. Try their beers, buy their cool merch, and support their craft. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrapping Up: Antwerp Beer Tour
Are you ready to go for an Antwerp beer tour? It’s indeed worth the try!
Which tour do you prefer? Which of the best bars in Antwerp do you want to visit? Let us know in the comments!
BELGIUM TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Getting to Belgium: Fly into one of the main international airports: Brussels Airport (BRU) or Charleroi Brussels South Airport (CRL). Take an international train to Brussels South Station. Or take a ferry to Dover or The Netherlands, then drive or take the train to Belgium.
Getting Around: For the major destinations, the train is by far the best option. You can book your train tickets here. If you’d like to visit smaller places, the most convenient way would be to rent a car. We always use Discover cars, they compare all the rental companies and give you the best rates.
Accommodation: Booking.com is the most popular accommodation platform in Belgium. It’s what I use every single time.
Guided tours: Use Get Your Guide or Viator to find fun tours in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Or Guruwalk to find free walking tours in multiple destinations.
If this helped you plan your adventure, a coffee would go a long way in fueling my next guide! 😉
