Beercycling is the ultimate Belgian beer adventure. This cycling tour in West Flanders takes you through charming villages, scenic farmland, and some of the world’s most famous breweries. You’ll ride 18 to 40 miles each day, with easy, mostly flat terrain, and visit at least five breweries, including the famous Westvleteren Trappist abbey. Along the way, you’ll discover WWI history, enjoy the beautiful Belgian farmland, and even take in the views of the North Sea. With cozy hotel stays, generous tastings, and plenty of opportunities to make new friends, this is the perfect beer lover’s adventure.
Book a “Beercycling” Tour
This beercycling tour I’m highlighting in this post is called the Flanders Sampler. It includes beer tastings, bike rentals, hotel stays, breakfast and lunch during your tour.
There are other beer and wine tours operated by beercyling in Belgium and beyond. Check them out on the beercycling site.
The Tour Begins in Bruges
This tour starts in Bruges, a charming medieval city in Belgium renowned for its picturesque canals, cobblestone streets, and well-preserved Gothic architecture. Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with historic landmarks, and offers an array of museums, cozy cafes, and artisan chocolate shops. Since the tour begins here, get in a day or two early to explore this cute little town before you start pedaling.
We got in one day early and took a beautiful walking tour of the city (not included): Bruges: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip. This is such a storybook town, and it was great to hear all the history of how it came to be. My favorite part was Minnewaterpark, a peaceful spot near the “Lake of Love” with romantic bridges and swans.
The next morning, it was time for our beercycling adventure to begin. Every day starts with an early hotel breakfast, then you’ll hop onto the bikes.
Day One Beercycling
Our first day beercycling we stayed in Bruges and went to a few local breweries, Prearis and Fort Lapin. We rode along a river lined with greenery, really gorgeous. We were an little unlucky in that it was raining pretty hard on our first day, but rain or shine, the tour goes on.
Prearis Belgian Specialty Beer
Our first brewery was located in a converted garage. Prearis Belgian Specialty Beer, brewed by Vliegende Paard Brouwers, is known for its rich and complex flavors, often combining traditional Belgian brewing techniques with unique, innovative twists. Popular varieties include their award-winning Prearis Quadrupel, celebrated for its dark, malty sweetness and hints of dried fruit.
Fort Lapin
Next, we biked to Fort Lapin, a microbrewery just outside Bruges, named after a nearby fort. Known for its artisanal, small-batch beers, it blends traditional Belgian brewing techniques with modern twists. On the beercycling tour we enjoyed tastings and learned about the brewing process in a relaxed, welcoming environment, away from the city’s main tourist areas. I also loved the charm of this tasting room, filled with decor entirely sourced from antique and thrift shops.
Day Two Beercycling
Day two brought the longest ride of the trip, covering approximately 40 miles. While I had trained for this adventure and found the distance manageable with preparation, my legs were definitely feeling the burn by the end. The ride took us through picturesque farmlands, where we passed goats, cows, and horses, adding a touch of charm to the journey.
Coastal Town of Oostende
We biked to Oostende, a vibrant coastal city in Belgium, is known for its sandy beaches, lively harbor, and rich maritime history. We got to see the North Sea and bike along the promenade past WWI bunkers and fortifications, then stopped to have a picnic. Each lunch is provided by a Belgian sandwich maker that founder Evan discovered. The sandwiches are exceptional, with soft, flavorful bread and fresh ingredients seasoned with unique spices that make every bite delicious and distinct. I looked forward to them every day.
De Dolle Brouwers
We continued biking to De Dolle Brouwers, a renowned Belgian brewery known for its artisanal and innovative beers, blending traditional brewing techniques with bold, experimental flavors. Popular brews like Oerbier and Arabier reflect the brewery’s distinctive style, combining rich malts and fruity, hoppy notes. The owner is also an artist and has his studio on site. We ended up here on a beautiful afternoon with the sun shining down the patio overlooking farmlands. I really enjoyed chatting with the owner and was inspired to draw a portrait of a visitor in their guest book.
(Hotel) in Diksmuide
We ended our day in Diksmuide, a town in Belgium known for its significant historical importance during World War I. Today, it features the Yser Tower Memorial, which honors the soldiers who fought in the area and serves as a poignant reminder of the war’s impact on the region.
Every night there’s a lovely dinner planned with the group. We dined at an Italian restaurant in this square and had some drinks and laughs after.
Day Three Beercycling
I’m not a huge history buff, so I didn’t realize how much WWI history there is in this region. There are many relics and memorials of this dark period from 1914-1918.
Yser Tower
On our 3rd day we started with a stop at the Yser Tower, a prominent memorial dedicated to the soldiers who fought during World War I. Standing at 84 meters tall, the tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and houses a museum that highlights the history and significance of the Yser River during the war.
Trappist Westvleteren
Next stop was Trappist Westvleteren is a world-famous monastery brewery located in Belgium, renowned for its exceptional and highly sought-after beers, particularly the Westvleteren 12, often regarded as one of the best beers in the world. Brewed by the monks of Saint Sixtus Abbey, the brewery focuses on quality over quantity, producing limited quantities that are available for purchase directly from the abbey. We had lunch of the patio, and tried the unique dessert called “Coupe In de Vrede.” This treat features ice cream made with Westvleteren Trappist beer, offering a distinctive flavor profile that combines the rich, malty notes of the beer with the creaminess of ice cream.
De Helleketel
We continued our bike ride on day three to De Helleketel, a charming, traditional pub located on the slopes of Helleketelbos in Watou, Belgium. It has been a popular spot since 1895, attracting hikers, cyclists, and tourists with its rustic, witch-themed ambiance and outdoor seating. The bar is known for offering hearty farmhouse platters and local beers like Helleketel and Zatte Bie. In winter, visitors warm up with a homemade Picon. The pub also features an antique jukebox and traditional games. We tried the “infamous” Picon beer (very sweet) and played some games on the back patio.
French/Belgian Border
We went slightly out of our way to take this photo with one foot in Belgium, one foot in France.
St Bernardus
The most renowned Belgian brewery that we visited on this entire trip is St. Bernardus, located in Watou, famous for its traditional Abbey-style ales crafted using authentic recipes and methods inspired by Trappist brewing. Their flagship beers, such as St. Bernardus Abt 12 and St. Bernardus Tripel, are celebrated for their rich flavors, complex aromas, and high quality, making them favorites among beer enthusiasts worldwide.
This brewery stands out as a much more corporate and global operation compared to the other stops on our route. Housed in a towering, multi-level building, it features a restaurant on the top floor with stunning views of the surrounding hops fields. Polished and upscale, we enjoyed a lovely dinner here before calling it an early night.
Day Four Beercycling
De Struise Brouwers in Oostvleteren
De Struise Brouwers, located in Oostvleteren, is a highly regarded Belgian microbrewery known for its bold, innovative beers that often push the boundaries of traditional brewing. Their diverse range includes award-winning brews like Pannepot and Black Albert, which are celebrated for their rich flavors and complexity, appealing to craft beer aficionados around the globe.
While we were there, we enjoyed a chemistry lesson in the art of beer making and sampled a variety of beers on tap.
Yorkshire Trench and Dugout from WW1
The Yorkshire Trench and Dugout was a unique stop on our bike ride. Located in Ypres, Belgium, is a preserved site from World War I that offers a glimpse into the life of soldiers during the conflict. This historical site features reconstructed trenches and dugouts that we walked through, an immersive experience of the harsh conditions faced by troops and the strategic importance of trench warfare.
Menin Gate
Our next overnight stop was in Ypres, Belgium, home to the Menin Gate, a monumental memorial honoring the missing British and Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives in World War I in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave. Since July 2, 1928, the Last Post ceremony has been held at the gate every evening at 8 PM, paying tribute to the fallen and serving as a powerful reminder of their sacrifice. After dinner, we walked over to witness this moving ceremony.
Day Five Beercycling
Tyne Cot Cemetery
On our last morning we biked to Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world, commemorating over 11,000 soldiers who died in World War I, many of whom remain unidentified. The site features rows of white headstones set against a serene landscape, as well as the Tyne Cot Memorial, which honors nearly 35,000 missing soldiers from the region. It was a somber and rainy morning.
Rodenbach Brewery
The final brewery on our beercycling journey, Rodenbach, is a distinguished Belgian brewery known for its unique Flanders red ales, particularly the Rodenbach Grand Cru, which is a blend of young and aged beer that delivers a tart, fruity flavor profile. Founded in 1821, the brewery is celebrated for its use of oak foeders for fermentation, contributing to the complex character and sour notes that define its signature beers.
To Pack
In the Flanders region of Belgium, July usually offers mild and pleasant weather, with daytime temperatures averaging between 18°C and 23°C (64°F to 73°F). While rainfall is typically moderate and scattered, our trip saw quite a bit of rain. If you’re planning to bike, keep in mind that the combination of rain and wind can make it feel colder, so packing layers is essential.
- Rain jacket
- Quick dry clothing (Layers!)
- Tennis shoes
- Baseball hat
- Gloves
This beercycling trip was an incredible experience, cycling through the plains of Belgium while sampling some of the world’s finest beers along the way. I loved the sense of adventure, the fascinating historical insights about WWI, and the camaraderie of biking with a great crew throughout the journey. I’d highly recommend this adventure to anyone who enjoys cycling and craft beer!