Gourmet products local specialties and wines Zwevegem

The Mout- & Brouwhuis de Snoek is a museum located in Alveringem. It is the only fully preserved 19th-century brewery in Flanders, Wallonia and French Flanders. The museum immerses you in the atmosphere of the era, with its bubbling cauldrons, fermentation vats and gas engines. Learn about the history of the brewers, the workers and even the soldiers who sometimes used the vats as baths during the First World War. After the tour, you can quench your thirst in the museum's tavern, which offers over 130 regional beers.

Oerbier, Arabier, Boskeun, Stille Nacht, Dulle Teve, Stout In 1980, the members of a cycling club from Westhoek in Flanders - close to the Belgian coast and the historic town of Ypres (Ieper in Dutch) - decided to buy a brewery that had been in nearby Esen since 1835. The Crazy Trotters ("Dolle Dravers") thus became the Crazy Brewers ("Dolle Brouwers").In the thirty years since then, they have specialised in unfiltered, unpasteurised beers high in alcohol. Look particularly for two seasonal beers, Boskeun (Easter) and Stille Nacht (Christmas).

Classic, Grand Cru, Alexander, Red Character, Vintage

Absorbed in 1998 by Palm, Rodenbach had remained a small family brewery until then. The founders, four brothers associated in 1820, are the descendants of a German knight from Andernach, on the Rhine, a former soldier in the Austrian army, who settled in Roeselare in the 18th century. They are also related to the poet and writer Georges Rodenbach, author of the famous Bruges la Morte and Albrecht Rodenbach, writer and activist for the autonomy of Flanders, who died in 1880 at the age of 24.

Two generations after the creators, Eugène Rodenbach brought back from England the secrets of maturation in oak barrels, which gave rise to the very special beer that we still know today, combining top fermentation and spontaneous fermentation (mixed fermentation). The manufacture of Rodenbach still follows ancient traditions: some oak casks have reached 150 years of age and reed is still used to maintain the watertightness of these large 650 hl tanks.

Rodenbach is a blend beer, made up of three-quarters young beer and a quarter of beer matured in these casks for almost two years. Its older sister, the Rodenbach Grand Cru, is blended in proportions of one third young beer, two thirds ripe beer, which gives it a greater expression and a wider aromatic palette. The inimitable taste of these two beers comes from both this ageing in barrels and the yeast which is always that of the beginning. As all tourists to the Belgian coast know, Rodenbach goes wonderfully with grey shrimp. It is the true reference model for Flemish red-brown beers.

Periodically, the brewery produces "special editions", such as the Rodenbach Vintage or the Caracère rouge de 7%, which matures for two years in oak tuns. It is then macerated for six months in cherries, raspberries and cranberries, before the beer is fermented in bottles. A neighbouring and lighter version has been named Rosso.

The brewery has an absolutely magnificent room at your disposal for the organisation of parties and seminars. It can accommodate up to 750 guests. The classified kiln and the 294 oak barrels in which the beer matures offer an impressive spectacle and give the place a unique character. According to Palm brewery manager Jan Toye, now owner of Rodenbach, this acquisition is a cultural project aimed at perpetuating this unique style of Belgian beer.

Bavik Pils, Ezel, Petrus, Pilaarbijter, Wittekerke Bavik brewery opened in 1894. Situated in in Bavikhove near Harelbeke in Flanders, it is one of the oldest breweries still trading in Belgium. It is also one of the few of any size to have stayed independent. The current generation of family members in charge is the fourth since the brewery was founded.It is well known for its Bavik pils, a distinctive beer quite different from the big-name pils on the market. It won an award recently from Test-Achats (the Belgian consumers' association) and the Flemish newspaper, Het Nieuwsblad.It also brews special beers including its Petrus range (see below) and the more recent Pilaarbijter blond and bruin. And there is a range of white beers too: Wittekerke, Wittekerke spéciale and Wittekerke rosé. The canned version of these was awarded a gold medal in Reno in the United States.A more recent addition to the company's range is a golden Kwaremont, a top-fermented beer that is sweet, spicy, full-bodied and 6.6% abv.Finally, it still produces a series of table beers, including a Faro and a Pony-Stout, and sells water and soft drinks branded as Bon-Val and Eaumega.Bavik has invested €3 million in its brewery since 2007 (a new brew-house, fermentation tanks and a racking line for kegs). All this has doubled brewing capacity to about 400,000hl.

Bellegems Bruin, Bockor, Jacobins, Framboise Max, Kriek Max, Omer Traditional Blond, Passion Max, Rosé Max.The Bockor brewery was founded in 1892 in Bellegem, a typical West Flanders village close to the French border. Its founder, Omer Vander Ghinste, brewed a brown beer called Ouden Tripel. This beer is still brewed today under the name of Bellegems Bruin and is a sour beer typical of its region. There is still an Omer Vander Ghinste running Bockor today. It is said that the founder passed his name on to his son to save money on advertising costs and the current Omer is the fifth generation to carry the name.Much of Bockor's reputation rests on its excellent pils, but there are many other beers too. La Blauw is an export version of the pils. The top-fermentation golden Omer traditional blond won a gold medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup in America and Rosé Max was created in 2009.The Jacobins gueuze first appeared in 1970 and takes its name from a local religious order. It was joined in 1983 by a kriek and in 1986 by a framboise. More recent additions to the range are Kriek Max, Framboise Max and even Passion Max (made with the juice of passion fruit) which are sweetened beers catering for a younger market. Kriek Max is available both in 25cl and 37.5cl bottles.The gueuze beers are unusual for being made outside the Senne Valley - a fact that has provoked lively debate (to put it mildly) among traditionalists.

La Baronie Chocolates Belgium is a delicatessen located in Veurne. The website states that there are no on-site meals, no takeaways and no deliveries. It seems that Baronie is an international company with nine production sites and one distribution site in five European countries. In addition to the grocery store in Veurne, they also have sites in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK.

If lace doesn't tempt you as a souvenir gift, succumb to Belgian craft beers! This temple of hops features over eight hundred different beers. The beers are categorized for easy reference, with collections of local beers, craft beers, discovery beers, Trappist beers, fruity beers, gluten-free beers and, of course, gift baskets to complete the range! There's also a selection of other souvenirs... A classic address on the Venice of the North tourist circuit.

Blondje, Bruintje, Bruin 12, Paasbier, Kerstbier, Kriek, Zingende Blondine, Koerseklakske Produces a wide range of top-fermentation beers, some of which, such as Extra (12% abv) are particularly appreciated in export markets. One beer, Bitter Sweet Symphony, was created in collaboration with an American brewer.The brewery has been run by Bruno Delrue and Gudrun Vandoorne (who is also the brewer) since October 2007.

Bruges, also known as Brugge, is a Belgian city renowned for its gastronomy. Among the many culinary delights to be found in Bruges, chocolate occupies pride of place. La Belgique Gourmande is a traditional Belgian company offering a wide selection of artisan chocolates. With eight boutiques across the city, it's easy to find a place to satisfy your chocolate cravings. What's more, Belgium Gourmande also has an online boutique for those who prefer to order their chocolates from home. Customers are delighted with the quality of the products offered by Belgique Gourmande, from pralines to macaroons and chocolate bars. For lovers of Belgian beer, La Belgique Gourmande also offers a selection of typical beers.

La Cure Gourmande is a chocolatier located in Bruges. The store offers a wide selection of chocolates, cookies, confectionery and bulk products. La Cure Gourmande also offers a selection of gift ideas, such as assorted boxes of cookies and confectionery. Customers can also take advantage of special offers, such as a free metal box with the purchase of 18 units of bulk nougats and caramels. La Cure Gourmande products are made in France, and the brand guarantees impeccable quality.

Meli & Melapi is a manufacturer of food seasonings based in Sucre. Their site offers a wide range of honey-based products, from solid and liquid honey to regional specialties such as honey-filled waffles and honey couques. They also offer culinary recipes, such as tiramisu with honey couque. Meli highlights the importance of bees and honey, explaining how honey is produced and the role of the beekeeper. They also offer information on Meli products, such as liquid honey, creamy honey, royal jelly, honey sticks and honey waffles.

Brasserie De Brabandere is a Belgian family brewery located in Bavikhove in the province of West Flanders. Its main beers are Bavik, Petrus and Wittekerke.

This address is sure to attract the attention of beer lovers. 900 different beers are on offer, with the emphasis on craft brews. It's the ideal place to make a few gifts, or to treat yourself. The place also welcomes groups of up to 40 people for birthday parties, beer and cheese tastings... In fact, a cheese bar has officially opened above the brewery. It's also possible to visit the small brewing facility on site. The hardest part will be choosing.

Wipers Times (Blond, Dubbel, Tripel), Tremist, Grotten Santé, Epica

In the spring of 2014, the Sint-Bernardus brewery in Watou, in association with other professionals in the brewing world, set up a tavern and a brand new microbrewery in the historic setting of the Ypres Casemates, built in 1680 to Vauban's plans. The Wipers Times is brewed on the basis of four grains and four spices. It evokes the presence of English soldiers in the city during the First World War. The constant temperature of the casemates is used to mature the Grottenbier, renamed Grotten Santé. This beer was originally created by Pierre Celis. The famous brewer from Hoegaarden wanted to mature his new creation in a cave in order to guarantee a constant temperature for the beverage.

Since 1821, the Rodenbach brewery has gone from strength to strength, and its reputation has spread far and wide. You'll be welcomed into the "Het Foederhuis" visitors' center, a perfect blend of industrial archaeology and contemporary design. Here you'll learn the fabulous secrets behind the making of Rodenbach beer. You'll be amazed by the tour of the touraille and the Rodenbach tuns cathedral. And, of course, the tour ends with a tasting! Don't hesitate to grab a bite to eat in the brewery and browse around the store, both of which are brand-new!

When leaving De Panne via Aduinkerke, alcohol and tobacco are cheaper everywhere! The choice is wider and the prices lower here than elsewhere. The welcome is also better... More than 100 different beers and their matching glasses are on the shelves. It is possible to order on the Internet and to organize your own gift basket. And to top it all off, a coffee, tea, cappuccino, espresso or chocolate is offered with every visit.

A family affair dating back to 1957! The store has been handed down from generation to generation. It wasn't until 1972, however, that the shop became a fully-fledged cheese dairy. After training with the best in France, the current owner, Carl Top-Verduyn, was determined to bring the savoir-faire of French cheeses back to his native Belgium. Today, he is in charge of maturing the cheeses, while his wife creates tasty preparations. A quality address!

Epicureans, here's one of your temples right in the middle of Bruges' shopping street! The black diamond is, of course, the truffle (the mushroom, not the chocolate), worked in all sorts of ways (fresh, in sauce, butter, oil, salt...), which is one of the store's specialties. Alongside the precious truffle, you'll find a host of other goodies, including honey, condiments, tapenades, sweet and savoury cookies, wine, jams, liqueurs and gins... the list is long and by no means exhaustive, a true gourmet paradise.

The weekly flea market takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-March to mid-November on the Dijver along the canal. A must when looking for antiques, treasures found in the attics but also handicrafts that will make nice original gifts. At the beginning of July, beginning of August and end of September, a large flea market is held in Bruges over a distance of 5 km: the Zandfeesten in the King Albert Park. This is an opportunity to enjoy a nice street atmosphere and endlessly hunt for objects that change from the hexagonal flea markets.

Pâtisserie Courcelles, a local favorite for decades, offers Courtraisian specialties such as kalletaart, an apricot and apple tart, and peperbollen, gingerbread balls, as well as a whole range of more classic savory pastries. You'll be spoilt for choice when you complete the window display, where these sweet treats are lined up and shaped to perfection. A sweet address that brings back the taste of the region's traditional grandmotherly desserts, to the delight of local and visiting fans alike.

V-chocolaterie is first and foremost the story of a family with 85 years of passion. It all began in the 1930s with Robert Sweertvaegher, a pastry chef turned chocolatier. He launched the first chocolate shop in Ypres, then in Courtrai and Bruges. In this beautiful store, the aesthetics of the packaging are as important as the quality of the chocolates, made with cocoa butter from sustainable cocoa and without added vegetable fats. Take away the galette, their flagship product!

Olivier Willems, assisted by his wife Inge who welcomes you with great kindness, opened his store and workshop in 1993 and has been delighting us ever since. His window displays are always a renewed attraction. Olivier Willems is not afraid to transform himself into a chocolate architect to build veritable chocolate monuments. But of course, beyond performance and appearances, what we really appreciate about this rigorous and talented craftsman is the flavor and originality of his pralines and other macaroons.

David, chocolate creator, offers more than 50 different kinds of chocolates, a mix of classic pralines and original flavours: mango, passion fruit, spices, fig and port, jasmine tea, blood orange... the list is long! Add to this the limited edition seasonal boxes, each one more appetizing than the last. David Maenhout works with the best restaurants in Knokke, and has worked for great chocolatiers such as Lenôtre. Try the Knokke-Heist praline and the Knokke-le Zoute as a souvenir of your visit!

Delfien De Tavernier, artisan chocolatier, opens the doors of her workshop to groups of visitors, not only to explain what she does there, but also so that you can make your own chocolates! Guided tours are reserved for groups and last 1 hour. Chocolate-making workshops last 2 hours and are for groups of at least 6 people, aged 9 and over. These workshops include a tasting, a drink and the equivalent of a €15 box of chocolates you've made yourself.

After a visit to the museum (63, Oude Gentweg), you will not be able to leave without a visit to the shop to buy the "Mostaard Wostyn". This mustard is natural: without preservatives, colorants or thickeners, and with a unique taste, unlike many mustards sold in shops. In the shop, you will also find drinks such as a mustard liqueur (if, if!), a beer with mustard seeds or mustard pralines. Uncommon culinary discoveries that will make you a true connoisseur!