Venture into the historic and scenic world of saisons and biére de gardes. Their roots can be traced to rustic ales originally brewed on farms for seasonal workers in this wide area once known as the Kingdom of Flanders (which then included parts of France, Belgium and the Netherlands).  On this tour you will experience breathtaking views, scenery, geography and architecture. You’ll enjoy regional cuisine and fine beer beyond compare. We’ll visit some small independent artisanal breweries still located on working farms and sometimes large, modern ones, most situated in scenic countryside locations, where we’ll experience these very satisfying ales in rustic taprooms.  Some will be well-known breweries such as Brasserie Dupont, Brasserie Dubuisson and Brasserie de Silly and some you may not yet know, but soon will come to love. While the spirit of the tours remain the same, each Farmhouse Ale Tour departure itinerary will vary to take in different opportunities, keep it interesting for returning travelers and just because there are so many interesting breweries in a relatively small region. Also, while the theme of this tour is farmhouse ales, be assured you will have access to many styles of beer.

As a bonus, we will also visit the taprooms of Trappist Westlvleteren and Trappist Abbey of Mont des Cats, too... since we will be in the neighborhood.

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We will also be segueing into France for some beer hunting.  France has some amazing, but little known, beers and specifically farmhouse ales.  If you have not yet discovered fine French beer, you will be delightfully surprised.  Some people who have taken this tour have found their favorite beers of the entire tour in France.  You might, too.  They are just that good!
We will also visit the charming and romantic town of Cassel, located on one of three small “mountains” that rise out of the bucolic farm country of the Nord department of France.

Farmhouse ales, with a few exceptions, come mostly from Wallonia region of Belgium in the south and the northwestern French departments of Nord and Pas de Calais. We will visit many breweries, brewery taprooms and beer cafés.

On this tour you will be staying in the scenic hop growing region of Watou, close to the French border, Tournai and Gent. It’s a nice mix of urban and rural settings. We will visit many breweries, beer cafés, and brewery taprooms. The tour will begin in Tournai. We recommend spending two nights in Bruges prior to the tour to adjust to the time changes and allow for delays. Then take an easy train ride to Tournai to begin the tour.

• Eight nights accommodations in nice, friendly, centrally-located hotels often in the old town section of the city and some in bucolic rural settings.

• Three nights at the famous Brouwershuis Inn at Brewery St. Bernardus. This is the former residence/mansion of the brewer, now converted into a cozy inn with the full range of St. Bernardus beers for your enjoyment.

• All breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners with gratuities.

• Beer during brewery tours, taproom visits, festivals and company meals as listed on the itinerary.

• Ground transportation via private luxury coach with professional driver. Leave the driving to us!

• Professional and courteous BBM! guide services.

• All tours and admissions.

• An instant group of interesting and fun, beer-loving friends you haven’t met yet. Maximum size 24 people (half the size of some tour groups).

• Plenty of unstructured free time to relax, shop and explore on your own.

• Custom BBM! name badges.

• Souvenir BBM! luggage tags

• Flexibility in the event you need to transfer or cancel your tour.

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• Airfare

• Airport transfers.

• Some meals and beer on your own.

• Free-time sightseeing. Our guides are available to provide suggestions.

• Fine Print: You are responsible for the costs of your free-time sightseeing. Be sure to read our Terms & Conditions Agreement for important details.

• Gratuities, at your discretion, for brewery tour guides and coach drivers.

June is the perfect time to visit Belgium. Combine this tour with the Tour or Lonely Monks Trappist Tour that immediately proceeds this tour and have a grand multi-week tour of beer paradise.

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Deadline to sign up is one month before departure. 

$3295/per person + Air, Single supplement $595*

* Prices based on double room occupancy, per person, U.S. dollars, land only.  If you are a solo traveler and would like to have a private room all to yourself there is a single supplement fee of $595 in addition to the base price of $3295 per person.  We can also work with you to try to pair you with other single travelers of the same gender to avoid the single supplement. Better yet, recruit a friend to come, too! Unless, of course, like Rick Steves says, you prefer to “snore alone.”

We require a minimum number of travelers for a tour to be confirmed to go, so it’s important to sign up ASAP, as opposed to waiting until the deadline. Also, tours can fill suddenly, so signing up early guarantees your place and avoids disappointment.

Please share BBM! tours with your beer enthusiast friends and encourage them to join the fun! 

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SOME OF THE BREWERIES AND ATTRACTIONS WE have visited ON THIS TOUR:

Belgium

• Trappist Westvleteren

• Trappist Abbey of Mont des Cats

• Dupont

• St. Bernardus

• Dubuisson

• Silly

• St. Feuillien

• Brunehaut

• Fantome

• Kerkom

• Blaugies

• de Cazeau

• de Struise

• de Kroon

• de Plukker Organic Hop Farm and Brewery

• National Hop Museum in Poperinge

• WWI Plugstreet ’14-’18 Experience (Museum)

• WWI Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

• WWI Tyne Cot Cemetery & Visitor Center

 France

• Thiriez

• La Choulette

• CH ‘Ti

• 3 Monts

• 2 Caps

• de l'Abbaye du Cateau

• du Pays Flamand

• St. Germain

• Bailleux (Au Baron)

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Best Damn Farmhouse Ale Tour of

Belgium & France ‘25

This tour begins in the lobby of our hotel in Tournai, and ends at our hotel in Gent. We plan to visit at least 12 brewery locations, taprooms and shops. Special highlights of the tour will be a canal boat ride in Gent, a visit to the WWI Plugstreet Museum and free time to explore historic Tournai and Gent.

We will be staying in Tournai, Watou and Gent.

Thur., April 24 • Tournai 

• Welcome to historic Tournai. Take a train to Tournai Railway Station from anywhere in Belgium. We’ll meet at 2 p.m. at our centrally-located hotel in Tournai.If you arrive in Tournai early, I suggest visiting some of its seven museums.

• We’ll do a short walking tour, then regroup at the Hotel D'Alcantara to have our Welcome Bottle Share and a tasting of Brasserie Brunehaut beers on the terrace at 4 p.m. Our special guest will be my good friend and brewery owner Marc-Antoin De Mees. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other. You’ll find our group tour quickly turns into a family tour. Dinner is on your own tonight at one of Tournai’s many inviting restaurants. 

Fri., April 25 • Tournai 

• This morning we visit Brasserie St. Feuillien, established in 1873, is a member of the Belgian Family Brewers. They are known for their saison, grisette and abbey ales.  Be prepared to be impressed.

• Next we visit the taproom of Brasserie Silly, located in the village of Silly, which is also a Belgian Family Brewer. We’ll enjoy a company lunch with Muriel’s homemade lasagna and the full line of Silly beers, in a vintage 1950s-style Walloon cafe, complete with a taps pool table.  Lunch is followed by a tour. This brewery traces its roots to farmhouse brewing and is known for their saison, Scotch ale and many others. Our host will be Lionel Van der Haegen, who along with his cousin, Bertrand, are sixth generation family owners. Lionel is in charge of marketing and Bertrand is the brewmaster. 

• Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel to freshen up and have some free time.

• Dinner will be in the bucolic countryside just outside Tournai at La Ferme Delgueule, a traditional Walloon farmhouse now turned into a restaurant and hotel. It is especially appropriate and fitting for the Farmhouse Tour.  The rest of the evening is free to explore the beer cafes of Tournai. (Breakfast & Lunch #1 & Dinner #1)

Sat., April 26 • Tournai 

• This morning we visit Brasserie Dubuisson for a tour and tasting. Founded in 1769, it is now run by the 9th generation of the family and is the oldest brewery in Wallonia. They’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings as a farmhouse brewery. They are especially known for Bush de Noël (Scaldis de Noël in the U.S.), their over-the-top-delicious Christmas ale. This brewery will delight! Afterward, we will have a company lunch in their attractive taproom. You’ll be able to order á la carte. Everyone leaves happy!

• Afterward, we continue on to perhaps the most famous of the farmhouse breweries  Brasserie Dupont to have a guided tour and visit their brewery shop. Here you can take a picture with a giant glass of Saison Dupont. They are famous for their saison and many other fine beers, including a stout.

• Dinner is on your own in Tournai, founded by the Romans, is one of the oldest cities in Belgium. I also recommend a walk on the promenade along the River Scheldt, which flows through the city. (Breakfast & Lunch #2)

Sun., April 27 • Watou

• This morning we say goodbye to Tournai and transfer to the WWI Plugstreet Museum. Here you will see the best short film that describes how WWI started and what took place. It’s masterful. Students of history will enjoy this museum. The Museum is near the site of the famous Christmas Truce. 

• Afterward we have lunch at the rooftop restaurant of Bar Bernard, the taproom of Brewery St. Bernardus, famous for Abt. 12, Prior 8 and many other delicious beers. Lunch is on your own and the company buys the beer, which is part of the upcoming tour. After lunch, we’ll tour the new St.Bernardus Visitor Experience, which is a self-guided brewery and museum tour with an audio headset. Here you’ll learn about the history of this famous brewery and its connection and heritage with the Trappist Abbey of St. Sixtus. Next we’ll check in next door at the majestic Brouwershuis Inn, our home for three nights and right on the grounds of the brewery. As a guest you’ll be able to enjoy the Great Room and terrace featuring a bottomless refrigerator of St. Bernardus beer. There will no doubt be some late night beer sessions taking place. This is the former home of the brewer, thus the name.

• Dinner will be at the home of Trappist Westvleteren beers, the Abbey of Sint-Sixtus and its brewery tap, “In de Vrede,” (In the Peace). Here you will indulge in their famous, exquisite and rare beers. 

The abbey and brewery are not open to the general public, however, we will be able to see the exterior and buy some Westvleteren to go from their gift shop. 

• This evening we’ll return to the Brouwershuis to enjoy its ambiance and bottomless refrigerator. (Breakfast)

Mon., April 28 • Watou

• This morning we journey into France to take a tour and tasting at  Brasserie de Saint Sylvestre Brewery, famous for their  3 Monts line of beer, including a saison, blond and tripel. The name 3 Monts comes from the nearby small mountains of  Cassel, Cats, and Récollets. “Passed from father to son since 1920, the brewery today produces beers that evoke the richness of the land and the legendary Flemish conviviality. Proud of its origins and heritage, the brewery strives to promote Flemish culture beyond its borders, transmitting values of: • Strength of character • Conviviality • Generosity.”--Brasserie de Saint Sylvestre. Once again, be prepared to be amazed.

• Lunch will be in the endearing town of Cassel France.

• This afternoon we visit the award-winning Brasserie Thierez, in Esquelbecq, France, for a tour with the always-friendly Brewmaster Daniel Thierez, for whom the brewery is named. He’s a pioneer in French brewing history and opened in 1996. His daughter, Clara, is a brewster now. This little farmhouse brewery will impress. They also have a great beer sign collection in the café. This brewery is a pleasure to visit.

• Dinner this evening is at a very traditional Flemish restaurant, where we’ll enjoy their famous Brueghel Buffet. We will have worked up an appetite by now. We’ll return to the Brouwershuis after dinner and the evening is on your own to enjoy one of Belgium’s most desirable destinations. (Breakfast & Dinner #2)

Tues., April 29 • Watou

• This morning we depart the Brouwershuis and head to Brewery Deca, brewers of many incredible beers you’ve likely never had before because they don’t export to the U.S.  To get these beers, you have to come here. They also have several gypsy brewers who brew there and make eventful beers, which you’ll be able to taste. Get ready for some of the best beers you have never heard of.

• Lunch is at the famous ‘t Molenhof in Oostvleteren. This restaurant features an extensive beer list and fine food. Everyone leaves full and happy.

• This afternoon just steps away in Oostvleteren, we visit the famous Struise Brewery, brewers of Pannepot, Black Albert, Kloeke Blonde and others. This brewery was established in 2009 and took the beer world by storm. Our guide will be my good friend, the charismatic Brewmaster Urbain Coutteau. I’m proud to say this was one of the first brewers I visited with groups when I started BBM! Tours and I’m proud to be visiting all these years later.

• Dinner this evening is in nearby historic Ieper. At 7:45 we’ll meet at the Menin Gate, close to everything, for the famous and stirring Last Post Ceremony which starts promptly at 8 p.m. and lasts for 10-15 minutes. Bring a hanky and expect it to be emotional. The Menin Gate and Last Post Ceremony commemorate the soldiers, who perished in WWI for whom there are no known graves. 

• Some suggestions for places to visit Iepers' many alluring beer cafes. Here are several to get you started: Øl Bierbar, St Arnoldus, Brasserie Kazematten (good Belgian spaghetti bolognese), Biking Bar, Kaffee Bazaar, the Times and ‘t Klein Stadhuis (Also a good place for dinner). 

• Upon our return to the Brouwershuis, you’ll have one final evening to enjoy this stunning location and, of course, the bottomless refrigerator. (Breakfast)

Wed., April 30 • Gent

• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning in the atrium dining room. We say farewell to the Brouwershuis as we load the coach and head to the National Hop Museum in Poperinge. This is the most fascinating and educational museum on hops I’ve ever seen. One of the many things you’ll learn is the legend of the Hop Duvel, which explains the devil imagery and satanic names you see associated with some Belgian beers and beer cafes. No one has really bothered to explain it, except this museum.

• Lunch is in Poperinge.

• Next we transfer to Brewery de Glazen Toren, famous for their Saison de Erpe-Mere and other fine beers. Brewmaster and Belgian brewing legend Jef Van den Steen will be our guide for this fascinating visit and tasting. Jef is also a historian and knows Belgian beer history perhaps the best of anyone. Get ready for some excellent beers.

• Afterward, we depart to majestic Gent and the Hotel Gravensteen, our home for the final two nights of the tour. Gent is a city with a character and personality all its own. Click this link and watch the video to learn more. This might just become your favorite city in Belgium!

Thur., May 1 • Gent

• Morning is free to sleep or explore.

• Later this morning, we’ll have a canal boat tour followed by a more thorough walking tour of Gent, which will end at Brewery Artevelde for a company beer.

• Lunch and dinner are on your own.

• The afternoon is free to explore Gent, shop, climb the Belfry, visit beer cafes or just find a sunny terrace and people watch. Enjoy this magnificent and historic university town of 70,000 students. After the full week we’ve had so far, you’ll enjoy some free time.

• This evening we’ll have our Farewell Bottle Share. This will be a good way to jettison some of the extra beer you will no doubt have and a good time to say farewell to all your new Farmhouse Tour friends. (Breakfast)

Fri., May 2 • Gent

• Tour concludes with breakfast at your leisure. Trains run frequently to Brussels and the Brussels Airport (BRU). Direct trains take about an hour. Look for the direct train so you don’t have to switch in Brussels. You may buy your ticket the night before, or use the SNCB App (Belgian Railway),  then be ready to go in the morning without having to wait in line to buy a ticket. (Breakfast)

* This itinerary is subject to change

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