Brussels: Beer Tasting Tour & Old Taverns with Chocolate Pairings

Summary

Belgian beer tasting in Brussels old taverns with local chocolate

You’ll wander through Brussels’ oldest taverns with a seasoned Belgian guide, sample six unique Belgian beers paired with local chocolates, and hear stories about lost rivers and city legends. Expect laughter over shared tables, unexpected flavors, and a warm sense that you’re part of something local — not just passing through.

What’s the experience like?

I thought I’d tasted “real” beer before, but the first sip at that old bar near the Fishmarket in Brussels was something else — kind of earthy and sharp, almost like the wood of the place had seeped into the glass. Our guide Marc (who’s apparently been doing this since before I was born) grinned when he saw my face and said Belgians take their beer “dead serious, but never too seriously.” The rain had just let up, so you could smell wet stone and fried fish from the stalls outside. I didn’t expect to laugh so much right away.

We wandered through narrow lanes — past locals chatting in French and Dutch, and one guy balancing a crate of bread on his bike like it was nothing. At Lava Bar, Marc handed us our next Belgian beer (I’m still not sure how to pronounce it), then passed around tiny squares of dark chocolate. I tried eating them together like he suggested; it’s weirdly perfect — bitter-sweet, then suddenly creamy. Someone asked about the lost river Zenne beneath our feet, and Marc told us stories about how it used to flood these streets. You can kind of feel the history under your shoes.

Later at Delerium Monasterium — which is way bigger than it looks from outside — we squeezed onto old wooden benches for another round. There was a group of students from Ghent at the next table singing softly (off-key but enthusiastic). The last stop was this puppet theater bar where everything smelled faintly of dust and hops. I kept thinking how each place felt like someone’s living room if their living room had hundreds of years of spilled beer soaked into the floorboards. Oh, and don’t skip the third chocolate tasting — somehow it tasted even better after a couple beers. Still not sure if that’s science or just Brussels magic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Brussels beer and chocolate tasting tour

• Pass by Fishmarket of Brussels
• Visit oldest city part and see lost river Zenne
• Beer tasting at Lava bar
• See Jeanneken Pis statue and Delerium Café
• Have beer at Delerium Monasterium
• Beer tasting at old tavern
• Beer tasting at bar with Puppet Theater

Top questions

How many beers do you taste on this Brussels beer tour?

You’ll sample six different Belgian beers during the tour.

Are chocolate tastings included on this Brussels beer tasting tour?

Yes, there are three separate chocolate tastings paired with beers.

Is lunch or food included on this tour?

The tour includes small food dishes paired with some tastings but not a full lunch.

What is the minimum age for this Brussels beer tasting tour?

The minimum age is 16 years old.

Does this tour include visits to historic bars or taverns?

Yes, you’ll visit some of the oldest taverns in Brussels as part of the experience.

Is public transport nearby for getting to or from the tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the meeting point.

Who leads this Brussels beer tasting experience?

The tour is led by experienced Belgian guides who know local history and culture.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels as walking distances are moderate.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes guided tastings of six Belgian beers across historic Brussels taverns, three pairings with local chocolates plus small food dishes along the way, all led by an experienced Belgian guide who shares stories as you walk between stops.