Brasserie Cantillon
Brasserie
About this Brewery
Place: Brussels
Brasserie Cantillon was founded in Brussels in 1900 and has remained a family brewery ever since. It specialises in traditional lambic beers produced by spontaneous fermentation, using historic equipment and methods that have changed remarkably little since the brewery’s early years.
By the 1970s, traditional lambic and gueuze had fallen badly out of fashion. In 1978, Jean-Pierre Van Roy and supporters created the Brussels Museum of the Gueuze within the brewery, both to preserve the brewing tradition and to help secure Cantillon’s own future. The working brewery effectively became a living museum, combining production with education about lambic brewing.
Cantillon subsequently became one of the best-known standard-bearers for traditional lambic and gueuze. Today it describes itself as the last lambic brewery operating in Brussels, while the brewery and museum attract visitors from around the world. Production remains deliberately traditional, with copper brewing vessels, wooden barrels and spontaneous fermentation central to its identity.
Address: Rue Gheude 56 1070 Brussels
Glasses in this collection
Curator's Note
Brasserie Cantillon and Brussels Museum of the Gueuze, to give the Brasserie its full name, is a 20-minute walk from the centre of Brussels in Anderlecht, not too far from Gare du Midi. The rather low-key entrance gives way to a working brewery. The shop and reception area sells lambic, kriek and gueuze beers, a small menu shows what is available and in what bottle sizes. They also sell some merchandise and glasses.
There is a very small bar next to the shop/reception area, mainly for tastings at the end of the brewery tour, but visitors are welcome to buy a drink without doing the tour.
The staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I spent some time talking to them about the beers on offer and the differences between the various styles. They were also keen to set my expectations: these are not necessarily the lambic beers you may have experienced from a supermarket.
Self-guided tours are available each day the brewery is open, so check opening times before visiting. Tours cost €9 and take about 40 minutes, with additional time for sampling the three included drinks. Advanced bookings aren't necessary. Guided tours are only available on Saturdays, but cost more and booking in advance is strongly advised.
When I visited, the shop was also selling a small range of fruit vinegars brewed from their lambic beers.
Dog-friendly
This one isn't for your pooch! Dog's aren't allowed in the brewery and I'd recommend leaving them behind even if you're just dropping into the shop.