Brouwerij De Halve Maan, the Half Moon Brewery, has been brewing on the Walplein since the nineteenth century and is the last family brewery still working in the historic centre of Bruges. Its two beer families, the easy-drinking Brugse Zot and the stronger Straffe Hendrik, are poured all over the city. The guided tour takes you through the brewery buildings, from the old brewing rooms to the attic, and up to the roof for a 360-degree view over the rooftops of Bruges. Since 2024 the tour has included audiovisual features, among them a virtual journey through the underground beer pipeline, about three kilometres long, that carries beer under the medieval streets to the bottling plant on the edge of town. The classic tour ends with a glass of unfiltered Brugse Zot Blond, Brugse Zot Dubbel or Straffe Hendrik Tripel, and the brewery’s courtyard brasserie is a good place to stay for lunch.
How it works: the classic tour lasts about 45 minutes, in Dutch, French or English, for groups of up to 25, and includes one beer. Children under six go free and older children pay a reduced rate. The XL tour lasts about 90 minutes and includes a tasting of three beers in the cellars, but it runs at weekends only and in Dutch and English. Book online in advance, especially for weekends and English-language tours, because places are limited.
What to expect: the route includes about 220 steps, some of them steep, so wear sensible shoes, and it is not suitable for wheelchairs. The rooftop is open to the air and can be cold in winter. There is no parking at the brewery, but public car parks are nearby, and it is a short walk from the station and the Beguinage.
Making the most of it: take a late-morning tour, then eat in the brewery’s courtyard brasserie. Combine it with the Beguinage and the Minnewater, both a few minutes south, or with Choco-Story for a chocolate-and-beer day.
What to expect
The experience
A guided tour of a working family brewery, climbing to the roof and ending with a beer, or a longer weekend tour with three tastings.
Best time
A late-morning tour on a weekday, followed by lunch in the brewery courtyard.
How long
About 45 minutes for the classic tour and 90 minutes for the XL tour.
Tips
Book online in advance, wear good shoes for the 220 steps and bring a layer for the rooftop.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beer lovers who want to see a real Bruges brewery rather than a museum.
- Families
- Children under six go free and older ones pay less, but the steep steps make it best for older kids.
- Couples
- Tour, beer, then a long lunch in the courtyard brasserie.
- Pair with
- The Beguinage and Minnewater nearby, and Choco-Story for a chocolate-and-beer day.
- Time needed
- About two hours with lunch.
Good questions
How long is the De Halve Maan brewery tour?+
The classic tour takes about 45 minutes and includes one beer. The XL tour takes about 90 minutes with three beers and runs at weekends only.
Which beer do I get at the end of the tour?+
You can choose an unfiltered Brugse Zot Blond, Brugse Zot Dubbel or Straffe Hendrik Tripel. The XL tour includes a tasting of three beers.
What is the Bruges beer pipeline?+
It is an underground pipeline of about three kilometres that carries beer from the brewery to its bottling plant outside the centre. The tour includes a virtual experience of it.
Is the tour accessible?+
The tour involves about 220 steps, some of them steep. It is not suitable for wheelchairs or for anyone who struggles with stairs.
Do I need to book in advance?+
Booking online is recommended, because groups are limited to 25 people. English tours and weekend slots fill up first.
