Gentse Stadsbrouwerij Gruut
brewery
About this Brewery
Gentse Stadsbrouwerij Gruut was founded in Ghent in 2009 by Annick De Splenter, its owner and brewmaster.
The brewery takes its name from the historic gruit or gruut tradition, in which mixtures of herbs and spices were used to flavour beer before hops became dominant.
That tradition remains central to the brewery. Gruut uses a secret blend of herbs in place of hops in its characteristic beers, combining an old brewing practice with modern production techniques. Its range includes Blond, Wit and Dark Amber, alongside Inferno and alcohol-free beers.
The brewery and bar share the same compact site close to the historic centre of Ghent, with the brewing equipment visible inside and outdoor seating alongside the building. Visitors can simply stop for a beer, while brewery tours and tastings can also be arranged.
I visited in August 2026 and met Annick De Splenter, who talked us through the Gruut approach to brewing. It is a small and unusually hands-on brewery experience, with remarkably little separating the place where the beer is made from the place where you sit and drink it.
Address: Rembert Dodoensdreef 1, 9000 Gent Tel: +32 9 269 02 69