Brussels beer is more than abbey ales and cafe menus. A small group of independent brewers have set up inside the city in recent years, and La Senne is among the best known of them. The brewery takes its name from the river that once ran through the centre of Brussels and is now largely covered over, and its beers are known for being dry, hoppy and unfussy, a contrast to the sweeter strong ales many visitors expect. This tour takes you into the brewhouse to see where the beer is made and explains the process step by step. The visit ends with a tasting, which is the real reward. It is a chance to try beers that rarely appear in tourist menus, poured fresh and talked about by people who care about them. If you have already been to Belgian Beer World and want to see the other end of the scale, a working brewery, this is the natural next step. It also suits visitors who like their beer fresh and straightforward and who enjoy the smell of malt and hops more than the polish of a visitor centre.
What it is
A guided visit to a working craft brewery in Brussels, covering the brewing process and ending with a tasting. Check the language, group size and start times when you book, since a working brewery runs the visit around its production schedule.
Working the visit
The brewery is outside the tourist heart of the old town, so allow time to get there by metro, tram or a short taxi ride, and check the route in advance. Expect a plain industrial space rather than a themed attraction; wear closed shoes and be ready for some noise and warmth near the equipment. If you are driving to anywhere afterwards, remember that the tasting involves real beer, and plan your onward journey accordingly.
Pairing
A brewery visit goes well with a long lunch in the nearby streets and an afternoon at a museum, since the tasting makes a late-evening plan less appealing. If you want to compare, do Belgian Beer World the day before and notice how different the experience is. Beer fans may also want to ask the guide for recommendations of local bars that pour the brewery's beers, which often turn out to be the most memorable stops of the trip. The tour is for adults; check the age policy before bringing teenagers.
Good to know
Belgian brewing is protected by tradition rather than by one style, and the guide can explain how a dry, hoppy Brussels beer differs from a Trappist or a lambic. Brussels also has a lambic tradition, with spontaneous fermentation that gives sour, funky beers; ask the guide where to try those if you are curious.
Bring a form of photo identification if you look young, because bars and breweries check age. A small bottle or two from the brewery shop makes a distinctive souvenir, though check your airline's rules for liquids if you fly with hand luggage only.
Practical notes
Tasting measures are usually small, so you can sample a range without becoming unsteady. Water is generally available. Ask whether the brewery sells bottles or draught to take away, and whether the visit can be combined with the brewery taproom, if there is one. Brussels has several other small breweries, so you could build a beer-focused afternoon around two visits if you plan the route in advance and use public transport.
What to expect
The experience
A guided visit to a working Brussels craft brewery, ending with a tasting.
Best time
Afternoons, followed by a relaxed dinner.
How long
About an hour and a half.
Tips
Allow travel time from the centre and wear closed shoes.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beer fans who want an independent, working brewery.
- Families
- A visit for adults; check the age policy first.
- Couples
- A relaxed tasting for two.
- Pair with
- Belgian Beer World, for contrast, on another day.
- Time needed
- About an hour and a half.
Good questions
What will I see?+
You see the brewhouse of a working craft brewery and learn how its beer is made.
Is there a tasting?+
Yes, the visit ends with a tasting of the brewery's beers.
Is the brewery in the old town?+
No, it is outside the tourist core. Allow time to get there by metro, tram or taxi.
Can children come?+
Check the age policy when you book. The visit is mainly for adults.
Do I need to book?+
Yes. A working brewery runs visits around production, so book ahead and check the start times.
