Brugge (Bruges)
About this Place
Brugge is the capital of West Flanders and one of Belgium’s best-preserved historic cities. Its canals, medieval streets and remarkable concentration of civic and religious buildings reflect the wealth it accumulated as an important European trading centre. The entire historic centre is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beer has been woven into the city’s history for centuries. Brugge had 54 breweries by 1441, while the powerful Gruuthuse family controlled the trade in gruut, the herb mixture once used to flavour beer before hops became dominant. Brewing remains part of the living city: De Halve Maan, Bourgogne des Flandres and Fort Lapin all brew in Brugge today. The Museum’s Brugse Tripel and Brugge Tripel glasses provide a further link to Brouwerij De Gouden Boom, a historic Brugge brewery whose production moved away from the city in 2004.
Visitor notes
Brugge’s historic centre is compact and best explored on foot. Its breweries, specialist beer cafés and brewing museums make the city particularly rewarding for anyone interested in Belgian beer.