Flanders invests in breweries: news for beer lovers and tourism!

Flanders invests in breweries: news for beer lovers and tourism!

The revival of tourism in Flanders is flourishing thanks to the region's rich beer culture. By the end of the year, a total of twelve breweries will receive new visitor centers, supported by three million euros from an EU fund set up for economic recovery after the corona pandemic. Flanders benefits from around two billion euros from the European Commission's reconstruction fund Belgian News Agency reported.

Regional tourism authority Visit Flanders has allocated €18.5 million in subsidies to promote the sector in four main areas: beer, culinary experiences, nature, cycling and art. The focus is on recruiting beer lovers to the region. Around 50 breweries have already launched initiatives to improve the visitor experience. Twelve outstanding breweries were selected and will now receive new visitor centers.

Funding programs and events

The new facilities will offer tastings, restaurants, workshops and tours of the production facilities. These efforts are important not only for the breweries, but also for the entire region, as the funds needed to be spent quickly. Visit Flanders plans to continue promoting Flemish beers in the coming years. The numerous beer festivals that take place annually in Flanders are a major attraction for tourists.

Another important aspect of beer culture in Flanders is the planned celebration of the tenth anniversary of the recognition of Belgian beer culture as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2026. This award highlights not only the quality and diversity of Belgian beers, but also the unique café culture and the influence of beer on gastronomy.

Sustainability in the brewing industry

In parallel to these tourism efforts, there are also increasing efforts towards sustainability in the brewing industry in Flanders. Brewing beer requires significant amounts of energy and water. In order to use resources more efficiently, 16 Belgian breweries concluded a voluntary agreement with the Flemish government on sustainable water use in 2018, which expired in 2023. A report on the Flemish Green Deal for breweries found that 2.29 million cubic meters of water have been saved so far and the consumption of deep groundwater has been reduced by 1.19 million cubic meters, according to Beer circus.

Various breweries have invested in optimizing clean-in-place systems, rainwater harvesting and reverse osmosis filtration. The Omer Vander Ghinste brewery in Bellegem, for example, recovers 70 percent of its water, which is used for cleaning, cooling and bottle washing. These measures are in line with the Flemish government's objectives to share data and strategies to promote sustainability in order to make the art of brewing more environmentally friendly.

Meanwhile, major breweries such as AB InBev have invested in renewable energy. The Stella Artois Brewery, for example, installed 2,117 solar panels that generate 576,000 kWh annually. Pressure on breweries to implement sustainable technologies is increasing due to growing consumer demand for transparency and ecological standards. These initiatives, coupled with the rich brewing tradition, could be crucial for the future of Belgian beer.