Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

The university town of Leuven turns into a mecca of Belgium beer when the country’s largest beer festival, the Zythos Bierfestival (Zythos Beer Festival) (ZBF), returns traditionally in the last weekend in April.

One of Europe’s biggest beer festivals, the Zythos Bierfestival will host more than 100 Belgian brewers with well over 500 different Belgium beers. The Belgium beer styles nclude:

“Primeur beers” are those beers that are presented for the first time to the public.

“Exclusive beers” are the ones that have been brewed specially for the festival and won’t be available after the festival ends.

“Gluten free beers” are a handful of brands which, you guessed it, are free of gluten.

There will also be a good range of trappist beer and new wave of Belgium craft beer. The festival provides an excellent tour of the beer of Belgium.

All cheers at the Zythos Bier FestivalThere will be 88 Belgium beer stands where you can exchange your pre-paid tokens against your favourite beer. They are served in ten-centilitre tasting glasses in an effort to promote quality over quantity and to avoid over-consumption. During the festival, eight local Leuven breweries will open their doors for visitors and there will also be beer walks through this historical university town.

A list of Belgium beers at Zythos can be found here.

If you like Belgium beer festivals, pencil the Bruges Beer Festival into your agenda for February next year.

Some 15,000 visitors are expected, and since UNESCO has in 2016 added Belgium’s beer culture on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the last couple of years have also seen an increasing number of foreign beer lovers finding their way to the Zythos Bierfestival. After all, this is where you can try the largest number in the world of different kinds of beer in Belgium.

If the many choices on offer make you somehow feel overwhelmed, then you can seek advice with some beer experts who will gladly give you a few pointers based on your questions. You’ll find them at the centre of the hall.

Visiting Belgium? Read our Essential Belgium Travel Guide.

Note that the festival operates a no smoking policy and doesn’t serve beer to anyone under 16. There’s a stand with non-alcoholic beverages for if you’re lucky enough to have found a designated driver or for those unfortunate below-16 kids.

Where is the Zythos Bierfestival 2022?

The festival takes place in the historical university town of Leuven which is the provincial capital of Vlaams-Brabant and the home of Stella-Artois. Leuven is situated some 25 kilometres from Brussels and can be easily reached by train directly from the city of Brussels as well as from Zaventem International Airport. Once you arrive in Leuven, head to the “Brabanthal” halls which are just 10 minutes away by free shuttle bus from Leuven’s train station and from the Rector De Somerplein (Rector De Somer Square) in the city centre.

When is the Zythos Bier festival Leuven?

This Belgium beer festival will take place on 23 and 24 April, 2022.

How much does it cost?

To enter you buy a starter pack which includes a tasting glass and booklet, as well as 10 tokens. This costs €26 for one day or €31 for both. Additional tokens cost €1.60.

Accommodation in Leuven and flights to Brussels

Find the best deals on flights and hotels in Leuven and Brussels using our comparison engine, which scans all the major booking sites.

More information on the Zythos Bierfestival 2022:

Check out the organisers’ official website which includes a list of all the available beers as well as transport information etc.

Photos unless specified supplied by Zythos Bierfestival.