Brasserie Cantillon

A working lambic brewery from 1900, still run by the same family with the original oak barrels and open cooling vessel — the world pilgrimage site for sour beer. €13 gets you a self-guided tour plus two tastings. Book online ahead; it's closed Wednesdays, Sundays, and public holidays, and the beers are aggressively sour.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What is lambic beer and why is Cantillon special?

Lambic is beer fermented spontaneously by wild yeasts that live in the Senne valley air — no yeast is added. Cantillon is the last brewery in Brussels itself still doing it entirely the traditional way, in the same building with much of the same equipment since 1900.

How much does the Cantillon tour cost?

€13 per person for the self-guided visit, which includes two tasting glasses at the end; kids under 16 are free. Given what a bottle of Cantillon sells for abroad, it's one of the best beer deals in Europe.

How do I get to Cantillon from central Brussels?

It's at Rue Gheude 56 in Anderlecht, about a ten-minute walk from Brussels-Midi station or five from Clemenceau metro. The neighborhood is scruffy and unglamorous — that's normal, keep walking, the unassuming door is correct.

Do I need to book Cantillon in advance?

Yes — online reservation is now required for visits, even self-guided ones. Book on cantillon.be a few days ahead, more in summer. Groups over ten need a private guided tour.

Will I like the beer if I don't like sour things?

Honestly, maybe not — gueuze is tart, funky, and completely unsweetened, closer to dry cider or wine than to lager. The kriek (cherry) is the gentler entry point. Go for the history even if the beer challenges you; it's a functioning museum.

Can I see them actually brewing at Cantillon?

Only in the cool months — spontaneous fermentation needs cold night air, so brewing runs roughly late October through March. They also hold public brewing sessions you can book; summer visits still show you the barrels, coolship, and bottling.

What days is Cantillon open?

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10:00 to 16:00, with the shop open a bit later. It is closed every Wednesday, every Sunday, and on Belgian public holidays — plan around that, people get burned by it constantly.

Can I buy Cantillon bottles to take home?

Yes, the shop sells bottles at brewery prices, far below what they fetch abroad — but there are per-person limits on rare releases and stock varies. Gueuze and kriek travel fine in checked luggage if you wrap them well.

Nearby in Ask Brussels

• Place du Jeu de Balle Flea MarketAttraction0.67 km · 8 min walk
• Moeder Lambic FontainasBar0.67 km · 8 min walk
• Jeu de Balle Flea Market (Vieux Marché)Market0.69 km · 9 min walk
• Marolles (Marollen)Neighborhood0.69 km · 9 min walk
• Midi Market (Marché du Midi)Market0.75 km · 9 min walk