Belgium is a small country with a massive reputation in the beer world. With over 1,500 beers and a brewing tradition stretching back centuries, it is home to some of the most complex, characterful, and delicious beers ever made. All are made with love and even Belgian styles give a nod to deep-rooted tradition. In Belgium, beer is what wine is in France — but even in dedicated indie craft beer spots like ours, the Belgian fridge can sometimes be overlooked as people head straight for hazy pale ales and juicy IPAs.
This week, we are chuffed to say that for the third year running Beer No Evil is an official venue for Belgium Beer Week, which runs from 24–30 August.
Belgium Beer Week is a global, week-long festival — with venues as far away as Brazil and Georgia — all celebrating Belgian brewing culture. Being named an official venue for three consecutive years is a massive badge of honour for us locally, and we can't wait to share some incredible beers with you. We're also running our annual Belgium Beer Week Tasting on Tuesday 25 August — but before that, let's have a little dive into the world of Belgian beers.
Why Belgian Beer Is Different
Belgian brewing has historically been defined by yeast. Where classic British and American craft beer tends to lead heavily with malt — think a stout or best bitter — or hops, pales and India Pale Ales (IPAs), traditional Belgian brewers have long prized the distinct flavours produced by unique yeast strains: fruity esters, spicy phenols, and a dry, effervescent finish that makes Belgian beer uniquely food-friendly and endlessly complex. As we said — the Belgian answer to wine!
However, Belgian brewing is far from static. A wave of pioneering craft breweries has bridged the gap between rustic traditional yeast profiles and bold, punchy hop bitterness.
The Key Belgian Styles (and Modern Pioneers)
Hop-Forward Belgian Ales & Bitter Pales
Think Belgian beer can't do hoppy? Think again. Pioneering breweries like De Ranke built their reputation on restoring assertive, whole-cone hop bitterness back into Belgian brewing (such as their iconic Père Noël or XX Bitter). Meanwhile, Brussels' Brasserie De La Senne — creators of Taras Boulba, which is actually head brewer Yvan De Baets' nod to his favourite beer in the world, Harvey's Best Bitter! — perfected crisp, hop-forward pale ales bursting with zesty citrus and herbal bite, perfectly balanced by peppery yeast.
Witbier (White Beer)
Light, hazy, and brewed with wheat, witbier is traditionally spiced with coriander and orange peel. It's refreshing, gently citrusy, and one of the most approachable Belgian styles. While big commercial names abound, modern craft interpretations take the spice and citrus character to whole new levels. Beak actually recently brewed one! Browse our Indie Beers and Cider range to see what we have in.
Saison — Much Misunderstood (They Aren't All Sour!)
Originally brewed by Belgian farmhouses to sustain seasonal workers through the harvest, saison is dry, spritzy, and complex. Expect punchy flavours of black pepper, citrus zest, floral yeast, and fresh hay. ABV: 5.0–8.0%.
Traditional Trappist Styles
Belgian Tripel
Golden, strong, and deceptively drinkable, the tripel is one of Belgium's greatest triumphs. Traditionally brewed by Trappist monks (and adapted by many secular craft breweries), it delivers honey-like malt sweetness, fruity esters, and a gently warming alcohol finish. ABV: 7.5–10.0%.
Belgian Dubbel
The richer, darker sibling of the tripel. Packed with notes of dried fruit, raisin, caramel, and dark chocolate malt character, it stays balanced thanks to a dry, yeasty finish. Deeply satisfying and incredible when paired with hearty food. ABV: 6.0–8.0%.
But there's a very famous exception to the rule: Orval. A pale using highly aromatic hops and wild yeast strains with Brettanomyces give this beer a unique funky character — almost a hybrid of a Lambic and a Tripel.
Lambic and Gueuze
Belgium's original wild sour beers. Lambic is spontaneously fermented using wild yeasts and bacteria present in the air around the Zenne valley — a process largely unchanged for centuries. Gueuze blends young and aged lambics to create a complex, tart, champagne-like masterwork. ABV: 5.0–8.0%.
Flemish Red and Oud Bruin
Belgium's other great sour traditions. Aged in oak barrels and blended for a vinous, tart, and deeply fruity character. Think rich balsamic vinegar notes meets dark cherry and plum. ABV: 5.5–8.5%.
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Rich, warming, and deeply complex. Expect dark fruit, subtle spice, and a boozy depth that rewards slow sipping. Often brewed by historic Trappist monasteries, these are beers designed to be savoured. ABV: 8.0–12.0%+.
Come and Explore With Us
Bottleshare Club: Belgium Beer Week Special
To celebrate our third year as an official venue, we are hosting a dedicated tasting evening!
Join us on Tuesday 25 August at 8:00pm for a guided journey through classic abbey styles, modern hop-forward takes, and traditional wild sours.
- When: Tuesday 25 August 2026 at 8:00pm
- Tickets: £26.95 (includes all your drinks and nibbles)
Book your place now — spaces are limited
Can't Make the Tasting?
Don't worry — you can still celebrate Belgium Beer Week with us! And we'll be adding more to the fridge over the coming weeks. Pop into the taproom to explore our Belgian fridge, or browse our Indie Beers and Cider collection to pick up world-class Belgian brewing to enjoy at home. And if you're looking for the perfect gift, our Beer Box Sets and Subscription Club makes a brilliant present for any beer lover.