the best ardennes breweries
In the Ardennes, there are many breweries and they form an integral part of the cultural landscape. Visitors can enjoy a well-earned break there after a walk or hike along the forest and valley trails, tasting the best gastronomic specialities of the region. Here we reveal the best breweries and abbeys in the Ardennes for you to make haste to visit.
In the Belgian Ardennes
Scourmont brewery
Scourmont brewery is renowned for brewing the world-famous Chimay Trappist beer, making use of its know-how and traditions built up over more than 15 years. Visitors can wander freely around the outbuildings, the monks' cemetery, the gardens and the church, but are not allowed inside the brewery. A 300m walk takes visitors to the Poteaupré Inn, where they can sample Chimay beers and cheeses.
Achouffe brewery
World-famous for its beers sold under the “La Chouffe” brand, Achouffe brewery is an iconic place in the region. the brewery offers guided tours followed by tastings that allow visitors to explore its know-how and the science behind brewing. If you don't have the patience for a guided tour, you can taste the many different beers brewed at Achouffe in local restaurants.
Silenrieux brewery
Besides the brewery at Silenrieux, there's a tasting area and a shop. It has been brewing natural, organic beers for more than a century. On the tasting menu is a range of unique amber, pale and fruit beers.
Rulles brewery
Established in 2000, Rulles brewery produces tasty artisanal beers. Onsite, you can taste beers unique to this brewery, including "L’Estivale" or "La Triple".
Our Lady of Leffe Abbey
You can visit this abbey, near Dinant, as well as the Leffe House, formerly the Bethlehem Convent, now converted into a hotel called "La Merveilleuse". Leffe House has a beer museum with captivating interactive exhibits and, of course, beer tastings!
Les Fagnes brewery
This was the first brewery in the Ardennes to open its doors to visitors. At the Les Fagnes brewery, each visitor is free to do the tour at his or her own pace and can watch the production process. Afterwards, visitors can taste beers in the tasting room, some of which are not available anywhere else, making the brewery so special.
Bouillon brewery
Bouillon brewery was established in the 1990s, born of the passion of Jacques and his wife Nathalie. Their brewing know-how has developed over time and through much experimentation to obtain the flavour they wanted. Visitors can now taste several beers there, including "Blanche de Bouillon", "La Bouillonnaise" and "La Vauban".
Orval Abbey
Orval Abbey is an iconic architectural entity in a verdant setting. It was completely rebuilt in the twentieth century, while preserving the majestic ruins of the original building and is a must-see tourist attraction. It emanates a spiritual warmth and a pacifying sense of calm. Visitors can follow a guided tour and sample the abbey's beers at the Guardian Angel Inn, the only place where Green Orval beer is sold!
Belgium Peak Beer brewery
From the mashing of the malt to the bottling of the beer, explore behind the scenes at the Belgium Peak Beer brewery, located at the highest point in Belgium near the Signal de Botrange. Why not combine your visit to the brewery with a walk through the splendid Hautes-Fagnes landscape?
Elfique brewery
As well as tours of the brewery, visitors can also enjoy discovery walks in the surrounding countryside, beer tastings, beginner's lessons in abseiling on natural rocks, mountaineering walks or orienteering! Any combination of this multitude of activities will create unforgettable memories! A great venue to visit with friends or for a team-building excercise.
In the French Ardennes
Ardwen brewery
The Ardwen brewery can be found at the heart of the village of Launois-sur-Vence. A guided tour shows visitors all the stage of artisanal beer-making. The delightful inn next to the brewery is a great place for a meal before or after your tour.
Yvois brewery
This micro-brewery located on the border between France and Belgium produces beer using locally sourced and environmentally friendly ingredients. Guided tours and tastings are available by prior reservation.
To learn more about the beers brewed in the French Ardennes, have a look at this interesting article on the Charleville-Sedan Tourist Information Centre's website! (in French only)
In the Luxembourgeois Ardennes
National Museum of the Brewer's Art
Learn about the brewer's profession in a one-day seminar! From the mashing of grains, to brewing and fermentation, all you need to know to brew your own beer.
You now have a list of addresses to begin planning your breweries tour. Real beer aficianados can follow the Beer trail. An unusual way to visit the Ardennes region.
