For centuries, Oudenaarde was the heart of the tapestry industry in Belgium. Today, it’s a place of beauty, history, and culture with a welcoming feel and some excellent dining choices. One of the popular things to do on a visit to Oudenaarde is a trip to a local brewery, something that many cities and towns in Belgium are famous for. We may be biased, but we believe that the passion and dedication of local brewers make Oudenaarde beer some of the best in the world. Before you add to your Oudenaarde bucket list, book the ideal accommodation. Leopold Hotel Oudenaarde is a perfect spot for couples, groups, families, and solo travellers who want to experience the city in comfort and style.
Brewery Liefmans
Many of the breweries in Oudenaarde started long before their European counterparts. For example, the building that once housed Brewery Liefmans in Aalststraat is more than 300 years old! The founder of the brewery Jacobus Liefmans selected the fertile soils of Oudenaarde, as the home for his brewery in 1750. Liefmans flourished thanks to the talents of master brewer Rosa Merckx, the first – and for many years also the only – female master brewer. Ever since the very beginning, Liefmans has been produced with a combination of Belgian cherries and light, dark, and roasted malt. The brewery is well known for its cherry beer which continues to appear highly rated on lists around the world. You can visit Liefmans by pre-booking under the watchful eye of master brewer Marc and his team where you’ll learn about the history of the brewery, enjoy a guided tour and two beverages all for just €12.00.
Brouwerij Roman
A visit to Brouwerij Roman is more than a lesson in good taste, its roots date back to 1545 making it a history lesson too. It was started by Joos Roman from his inn which also had a farm, a mill, a malthouse and, of course, a brewery. Many activities happened on the site in Mater before beer brewing became the main activity of the family. The current imposing buildings and courtyard date from 1930 when ‘Oudenaardes Bruin’ was the main product. After the war, Romy Pils was the most popular drink and remains that way to this day. Today Carlo and Lode Roman, 14th-generation brewers, head the brewery with a sense of tradition and an eye for innovation. They’re currently undergoing renovation in the production area so visiting is not possible in 2023, but they’ll reopen in 2024 bigger and better.
Brouwcompagnie Rolling Hills
A modern and somewhat mysterious brewery next with some of the finest beers in the region, Brouwcompagnie Rolling Hills has cemented itself among the favourites of Oudenaarde’s brewing elite. They pride themselves on producing ‘Belgian craft beer, crisp classics and monumental sours from the Flemish Ardennes’. The brewery is independent, family-owned and produces small-batch beers with heart and soul. They put their focus on the history and nature of the region and are not afraid to experiment with new flavours. Their modern recipes form a link between the old world and the craft revolution. Brewery visits with tastings are possible for groups of 10 or more people. A guided tour and three-beer tasting costs €13 per person and private arrangements can also be made.
Brouwerij Cnudde
Brewery Cnudde is a family brewery situated in Eine. The owners are experts but only brew a couple of times a year, so you’re privileged if you taste some of their wonderful produce. The brewery stands out for its unique history of producing ‘Kerkhofbier’ or cemetery beer, using water from a local burial ground. For many years, the brewery only produced two beers, Cnudde dark beer and Cnudde Bizon, their cherry beer. The Cnudde brewery now is releasing a third beer “the PK beer”. PK stands for Pure Kriek, a pure and unadulterated creation of a classic. For sugar lovers, icing sugar is offered to cut the sour kriek taste a little, which to beer lovers is a mortal sin. For € 9.00 you get a two-hour guided tour, followed by 2 tastings of your choice.
Book the best available rates for our hotel in Oudenaarde by visiting our website or contacting our team directly. We look forward to hearing about the brewery tours you enjoyed in Oudenaarde.
