HillgirtHeightsAdventures: Bruges Brauerie Tour

We did not have too much time to spend in Bruges but while in a chocolate shop (hah), we overheard someone asking where the brewery was. Danny of course paid close attention and we discovered that it was "hidden" behind a large door when closed and is only open during the day until 6 pm. We signed up early for the last tour in English at 5 pm that day.

The De Halve Maan Brauerie (or Half Moon Brewery) is located in the heart of Bruges and has been in the same family for six generations. The latest owner looks like a very young man. This family produces only 4 brews of authentic local beer – varying in taste and strength – 6, 7.5, 9 and 11%. Since 1856, six generations have steered the brewery with one single goal in mind: offer superior beer both in quality and in taste while respecting the traditional brewery art ...

Brewery ‘De Halve Maan’ (The Half Moon) can go back on a very long history. Already in 1564 the town register mentions the existence of the brewery ‘Die Maene’ (The Moon) on the Walplein. In 1856, the "modern" brewery was founded. Every since, the quality has been increasing. Now, the brewery gives multiple tours per a day, each hour and in three languages. The rooftop view of the city halfway through the tour is worth the fee alone. Behind a huge door is a bier garten, a large Brasserie and both old and new parts of the brewery winding up and down several floors - the tour winds up and down 273 steps through the old building, some of which are going down backwards on steps as steep as a ladder. And of course the tour ends with a beer – the blond variety!