1. Trappist Beers

Belgium boasts six officially recognized Trappist breweries: Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren, and Achel. These beers are brewed within Trappist monasteries under the supervision of monks, with profits supporting the monastery or charitable causes. Trappist beers include various styles such as:

• Dubbel: Rich and malty with notes of dark fruit, caramel, and spices.
• Tripel: Lighter in color but stronger in alcohol, with fruity and spicy aromas and a dry finish.
• Quadrupel: Full-bodied, with complex flavors of dried fruit, toffee, and warming alcohol.

2. Abbey Beers

Similar to Trappist beers, but not brewed by monks, Abbey beers are often inspired by monastic brewing traditions. They include many of the same styles, offering rich, flavorful brews ranging from Dubbels and Tripels to lighter blond ales. Examples include Leffe and Grimbergen.

3. Lambics

Lambics are wild-fermented beers made using spontaneous fermentation, which relies on natural yeasts and bacteria in the air. Unique to Belgium, these beers have a distinct tartness and complex character. Lambics often serve as a base for other styles like:

• Gueuze: A blend of young and aged Lambics, resulting in a sparkling, tangy beer.
• Kriek: Lambic fermented with cherries, offering a fruity and sour profile.
• Framboise: Similar to Kriek but made with raspberries, for a vibrant berry flavor.

4. Saison

Originating in the farms of Wallonia, Saisons were traditionally brewed for farmworkers. These beers are known for their dry, refreshing character and earthy, spicy, and sometimes citrusy flavors. Saison Dupont is one of the most famous examples of this style.

5. Witbier (White Beer)

Belgian Witbiers are light, cloudy ales brewed with wheat, often flavored with spices like coriander and orange peel. These beers are refreshing and slightly sweet, making them a great choice for summer sipping. Hoegaarden is a classic Witbier that’s recognized worldwide.

6. Blonde Ales

Smooth and easy-drinking, Belgian Blonde Ales are golden in color with a subtle sweetness, balanced bitterness, and fruity yeast character. They are perfect for those who enjoy approachable yet flavorful beers.

7. Strong Golden Ales

These beers are deceptively smooth despite their high alcohol content, often exceeding 8%. They are typically pale in color with a dry finish and fruity, spicy yeast aromas. Duvel is a world-famous example of this style.

8. Flemish Red and Oud Bruin

These are sour ales fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wooden barrels:

• Flemish Red Ale: Known for its deep red color and tangy, fruity flavors with notes of cherries and balsamic vinegar (e.g., Rodenbach).
• Oud Bruin (Old Brown): Similar but darker, with rich caramel and toffee notes balancing its sourness.

9. Belgian Pale Ale

These beers are milder and less fruity than other Belgian styles, with a balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. They are a great introduction to Belgian beer for those who prefer more restrained flavors.

Explore Belgium by Bike: The Perfect Way to Taste and Discover

Cycling through Belgium offers the ultimate way to immerse yourself in the country’s beer culture. On a self-guided bike tour, you can navigate scenic routes that take you from bustling cities to tranquil villages, stopping at iconic breweries and quaint beer cafes along the way. The compact size of Belgium makes it easy to explore diverse regions on two wheels, whether you’re sampling Trappist ales near a monastery or enjoying a Lambic beer in the Pajottenland countryside. With the freedom to ride at your own pace, you can truly savor the landscapes, history, and flavors that make Belgium one of the most exciting destinations for beer lovers.

Here are our Top 2 Belgium Bike & Beer Tours:

Belgium – Flanders Short Bike and Beer Tour

This 4-night self-guided bike tour immerses you in the essence of Belgium, combining idyllic countryside rides with stops in its most iconic cities. Starting in Bruges, the “Venice of the North,” you’ll pedal through medieval streets, past canals, and alongside picturesque windmills. The journey takes you to other charming towns such as Ghent, a vibrant city with a rich history and lively atmosphere, and Antwerp, known for its art, culture, and gourmet delights. Along the way, you’ll explore breathtaking castles, tranquil farmlands, and cobblestone streets, all while savoring Belgium’s famed chocolates, waffles, and beer. The carefully planned route ensures you experience the highlights of Belgium in a way that’s both active and leisurely.

Belgium – Flanders Beer and Bike Tour

For history enthusiasts, this 7-night self-guided bike tour offers a deeply moving experience through the battlefields and memorials of World War I. This Belgium self-guided bike tour takes you on a journey through the countryside of West Flanders, visiting significant landmarks such as the Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Menin Gate, and the In Flanders Fields Museum. Alongside its historical significance, this tour also introduces you to the charming villages and serene landscapes that make the region so unique. Perfectly suited for cyclists seeking both reflection and discovery, the Flanders Fields Bike Tour combines poignant history with the natural beauty of Belgium.

Why Choose a Self-Guided Bike Tour in Belgium?

With a self-guided bike tour, you have the freedom to tailor each day to your preferences. Want to linger in a quaint village or enjoy an extra beer at a local brewery? The choice is yours! We provide detailed route maps, expert recommendations, and emergency support along the way, ensuring you have all the tools you need to explore Belgium at your own pace.

Whether you’re tracing history through the fields of Flanders or marveling at the architectural wonders of Bruges and Ghent, our Belgium bike tours offer a seamless blend of culture, history, and adventure. Ready to embark on a journey filled with iconic sights, delicious flavors, and unforgettable memories? Don’t delay – Belgium is calling!

Visit Pure Adventures to learn more and plan your perfect Belgium self-guided beer bike tour. Cheers!🚴‍♀️🍻

For more on our Belgium bike tours, click here!

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No tour of Belgium would be complete without indulging in its world-renowned cheese, chocolate, and beer. As you cycle through the region, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to sample artisanal cheeses crafted with centuries-old techniques, offering a taste of Belgium’s rich dairy heritage. Treat yourself to decadent chocolates from local chocolatiers, where every bite reflects Belgium’s iconic reputation as a chocolate paradise. And, of course, don’t miss the chance to enjoy a refreshing pint of Belgium’s legendary beer—from Trappist ales brewed in monasteries to craft beers bursting with unique flavors. These culinary delights perfectly complement your journey, adding delicious memories to your cycling adventure!

Belgium – Flanders Short Bike and Beer Tour

This 4-night self-guided bike tour immerses you in the essence of Belgium, combining idyllic countryside rides with stops in its most iconic cities. Starting in Bruges, the “Venice of the North,” you’ll pedal through medieval streets, past canals, and alongside picturesque windmills. The journey takes you to other charming towns such as Ghent, a vibrant city with a rich history and lively atmosphere, and Antwerp, known for its art, culture, and gourmet delights. Along the way, you’ll explore breathtaking castles, tranquil farmlands, and cobblestone streets, all while savoring Belgium’s famed chocolates, waffles, and beer. The carefully planned route ensures you experience the highlights of Belgium in a way that’s both active and leisurely.

Belgium – Flanders Beer and Bike Tour

For history enthusiasts, this 7-night self-guided bike tour offers a deeply moving experience through the battlefields and memorials of World War I. This Belgium self-guided bike tour takes you on a journey through the countryside of West Flanders, visiting significant landmarks such as the Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Menin Gate, and the In Flanders Fields Museum. Alongside its historical significance, this tour also introduces you to the charming villages and serene landscapes that make the region so unique. Perfectly suited for cyclists seeking both reflection and discovery, the Flanders Fields Bike Tour combines poignant history with the natural beauty of Belgium.

Why Choose a Self-Guided Bike Tour in Belgium?

With a self-guided bike tour, you have the freedom to tailor each day to your preferences. Want to linger in a quaint village or enjoy an extra beer at a local brewery? The choice is yours! We provide detailed route maps, expert recommendations, and emergency support along the way, ensuring you have all the tools you need to explore Belgium at your own pace.

Whether you’re tracing history through the fields of Flanders or marveling at the architectural wonders of Bruges and Ghent, our Belgium bike tours offer a seamless blend of culture, history, and adventure. Ready to embark on a journey filled with iconic sights, delicious flavors, and unforgettable memories? Don’t delay – Belgium is calling!

Click HERE to learn more and plan your perfect self-guided Belgium cycling escape. 🚴‍♀️

Want to learn more about why Belgium is a Beer Lover’s Paradise? Click here to get the full pint!

The post Explore Belgium at Your Own Pace: Two Unforgettable Self-Guided Bike Tours appeared first on Pure Adventures.

Spirits in Denver — a History

 
A trip to the Mile-High city is sure to please almost anyone. Bordered on the West by staggering mountains, home to nearly 100 different museums and more skiing and snowboarding opportunities than many places in the great American West, it’s easy to see that Denver is home to many tourist opportunities. A lot has changed since white settlers began to roll in in the mid-1800’s, but one thing that has been a pillar of the community is its need to quench a thirst for finer fermented liquids. Denver began as a mining town during the gold rush, and miners craved sweet relief at the end of the day — which lead to the rise of saloons all over town. While these saloons may have hosted unsavory characters by night, they also hosted services by day. Church meetings, town meetings, and sometimes even school would be held in saloons in its early days.
 

 

“When I think about craft brewing, at least on American soil, it seems to hold true that the most successful craft brewing states are also some of the most outdoorsy states.”

 
While saloons of 1800’s Denver might have been limited in their selections, Americans have come to know and love the taste of nearby Golden, Colorado’s Coors beer. Founded by two German immigrants, Adolph Coors and Jacob Schueler, in the late 1800’s, Coors took off and eventually became the third most popular beer in America. Because it was not sold outside of its home state until the late-half of the 1900’s, it was sought after on the West Coast and regarded as a novelty beer on the East coast. Its popularity only skyrocketed after its expansion in the mid-seventies, and now Coors is a common household name.
 

Craft Brewing in the Mile High City and Surrounding Areas

 
Perhaps it was this surmounting success, or perhaps it was just a historic love of beer, that led to the rise of craft brewing in Colorado. As of January 2018, Colorado had the second largest concentration of craft breweries in the United States. Unlike Oregon, whose Ninkasi and Rogue breweries have started to creep into the beer sections of popular grocery chains nationwide, Colorado (and Denver, specifically) are fairly obscure to outside states except in specialty beer and brewing stores, with the exception of Fort Collins’ New Belgium. Even while living in Bend, Oregon and traveling all up and down the Western United States, I cannot recall a time where I saw a Colorado beer other than New Belgium on the menu outside of Colorado. However, having tasted some of the beers Colorado has to offer, it is clear to see why their beer is worth traveling for.
 

 

“As of January 2018, Colorado had the second largest concentration of craft breweries in the United States.”

 
In fact, craft brewing tourism has become one of the biggest tourism factors in Denver and surrounding cities. In 2015, craft brewing drew in nearly $2 million in statewide revenue, and it’s no exaggeration to say that tourists contributed to a large percentage of these sales. Denver’s climate is perfect both for growing hops, the tangy treat found in so many craft brews and for brewing itself. Perhaps this is why breweries like Bull and Bush, Cannonball Creek, Crooked Stave, and numerous other beer breweries have seen such success here. But the brews and views don’t end in Denver. Head over to Aspen for a tour where breweries like the namesake Aspen Brewing Company offers many seasonal brews meant to inspire the beer lover in everyone, but their Silver Queen series holds traditional favorites with a local twist. Basalt, with its Capital Creek Brewery, offers a small and mighty selection of craft beers brewed with regional hops. In Glenwood Springs, tourists can enjoy the history of the Hotel Denver with a craft brew from the onsite brewery. Regardless of where you end up in Colorado, brewing and history go hand in hand.
 

Not Just Hops & Malt

 
But as travelers pick Denver and surrounding Colorado cities for their next big craft brew destination, it is important to delve into all the delectable adult beverages that the city has to offer. Though a recent foray by the dwellers of cities, distilleries are now becoming just as popular for tourism and for state-wide sales. True to its Wild West past, Colorado whiskeys remain a favorite for alcohol lovers, however, gin is also popular due to the prevalence of juniper trees. Catering to hipsters and the generally adventurous travelers that reach this mountainous city, Denver distilleries like Downslope Distillery play with a range of unique ingredients like New Mexico Chilies and Maui Sugar Cane to create flavors that stand from their quickly growing community of competition. Woody Creek Brewery, out of Basalt, offers a Colorado Gin that mixes London dry gin with cranberry, citrus, and herbal notes for a unique American gin. Head over to Aspen and experience Marble Distilling — a distillery with multiple award-winning spirit selections whose sustainable practices encompass Colorado’s love of the environment. But if you’re feeling like a real cowboy, head back to Denver to Laws Whiskey House, a distillery that offers a punch of smoky, earthy, and traditionally distilled whiskeys sure to tickle the fancy of every rough-and-tumble traveler.
 

 
While it’s true that spirits, beer, and the outdoors can be separately enjoyed, there’s something about watching the sun set over one of the most majestic cities in the Western United States that really pairs well with a beer or glass of whiskey that highlights the hard work, dedication, and uniqueness of the United States.

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