Skip to main content
18th April 2017

20 years of Toer de Geuze

Twenty years ago, the High Council for Artisanal Lambic Beers (HORAL) organized the very first Toer de Geuze. Since then, the open brewery day has taken place every two years. This year, the participating lambic breweries and gueuze blenderies will open their doors to the public for two consecutive days for the first time, on Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7, 2017. The Toer de Geuze has effectively become the largest beer event of the province of Flemish Brabant. Two years ago, more than 10,000 people participated in the biennial open brewery day. This year, the High Council expects to welcome even more visitors. Indeed, there will even be a pop-up camping at visitor centre ‘De Lambiek’ in Alsemberg.

During the first weekend of May, HORAL will be organizing the first two-day event in the history of the Toer de Geuze. On Saturday 6 May, Boon, De Cam, De Troch, 3 Fonteinen, Lindemans, Oud Beersel, Tilquin and visitor centre ‘De Lambiek’ will open their doors between 11am and 7pm. On Sunday 7 May, visitors can explore Boon, De Cam, De Troch, 3 Fonteinen, Hanssens, Lindemans, Mort Subite, Oud Beersel, Tilquin, Timmermans and visitor centre ‘De Lambiek’ from 10am until 5pm. Hanssens, Timmermans and Mort Subite will not be open on Saturday.

Free entrance
Visitors will have free access to all participating companies and visitor centre ‘De Lambiek’ during the Toer de Geuze. Reservation for a visit to a brewery or blendery is not necessary. You can enjoy the Toer using private transport (car, bike, …) or one of the 20 coaches organized by the High Council. Seat reservation is possible via the HORAL website.

“With the Toer de Geuze, our association wants to shine a light on the craftsmanship of the lambic brewers and gueuze blenders of the Pajottenland and the Senne Valley. Interest in traditional lambic beers like Old Gueuze and Old Kriek has increased enormously over the past two decades. Beer lovers from all over the world have been descending on our region to explore a cluster of breweries in the historic duchy of Brabant who are keeping the ancient tradition of spontaneous fermentation beers alive,” says HORAL chairman Frank Boon, adding: “Given that the Toer de Geuze is now a two-day experience for the first time, we expect many visitors from home and abroad will seize the opportunity to stay in the Pajottenland and the Senne Valley for the entire weekend. A decision that can only benefit residential tourism and the hospitality sector in our region.”

Temporary camping facilities
As early as Friday, campers are welcome to pitch their tents on a pop-up camping that will be organized in collaboration with the municipality of Beersel on the football field near visitor centre ‘De Lambiek’ (Gemeenveldstraat 1, 1652 Alsemberg). A 16-square meter surface will cost 10 euros (with a 15-euro deposit). Reservations can be made via toerisme@beersel.be or by calling +32 2 359 16 36. Camping regulations can be consulted via www.delambiek.be. Camper vehicle owners can use the parking near Sollembeemd football field in Huizingen.

Megablend 2017
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Toer de Geuze, an HORAL Oude Geuze Megablend 2017 will be released in an nicely designed bottle. This Oude Geuze is a blend of young and old lambic beers from 3 Fonteinen, Boon, De Oude Cam, De Troch, Hanssens, Lindemans, Oud Beersel, Tilquin and Timmermans. A bottle of HORAL Megablend 2017 can be purchased for 9 euros. With the first Megablend brought to market in 2009, this year will see the High Council’s fifth limited edition. Only 21,600 bottles of the HORAL Oude Geuze Megablend 2017 will be produced.

About Toer de Geuze
The first Toer de Geuze was organized on October 19, 1997, when six gueuze producers decided to open their doors to the public. Since then the open brewery day of the Pajottenland and the Senne Valley has become a biennial event. The formula for success hasn’t changed since day one. Over the past two decades, the Toer de Geuze has effectively become the largest beer event of Flemish Brabant.
www.toerdegeuze.be

Participating breweries and blenderies

  • Boon: Fonteinstraat 65, 1502 Lembeek
  • De Cam: Dorpsstraat 67, 1755 Gooik
  • De Troch: Langestraat 20, 1741 Wambeek
  • 3 Fonteinen: Molenstraat 47, 1651 Lot
  • Hanssens Artisanaal*: Vroenenbosstraat 15/1, 1653 Dworp
  • Lindemans: Lennikse Baan 1479, 1602 Vlezenbeek
  • Mort Subite*: Lierput 1, 1730 Asse
  • Oud Beersel: Laarheidestraat 230, 1650 Beersel
  • Tilquin: Chaussée Maïeur Habils 110, 1430 Bierk (Rebecq)
  • Timmermans*: Kerkstraat 11, 1701 Itterbeek
  • Visitor centre ‘De Lambiek’, Gemeenveldstraat 1, 1652 Alsemberg.
    * Only open on Sunday, May 7, 2017

The High Council for Artisanal Lambic Beers (HORAL) was founded in 1997. This non-profit organisation groups all the lambic breweries and gueuze blenderies of Flemish and Walloon Brabant. Eleven gueuze producers are members of the High Council: Boon (Lembeek), De Oude Cam (Gooik), De Troch (Wambeek), 3 Fonteinen (Beersel), Girardin (Sint-Ulriks-Kapelle), Hanssens (Dworp), Lindemans (Vlezenbeek), Mort Subite (Kobbegem), Oud Beersel (Beersel), Tilquin (Bierk) and Timmermans (Itterbeek). The brewers’ association promotes artisanal lambic beers, specifically Old Gueuze and Old Kriek, and also takes initiatives to protect these beers.

Contact

Yves Panneels
(for press enquiries only)
Force3 – PR & Communication
Mobile: +32 498 522 322
pers@horal.be