Gruut Brewery Ghent

Stadsbrouwerij Gruut is a small city brewery at Rembert Dodoensstraat 4 in Ghent, in Belgium's Flemish Region. The operator, Stadsbrouwerij Gruut, began brewing in the city in the early 2010s and is known for beers made without hops, using a historic herb mixture called gruit instead. This approach recalls the medieval brewing practice in the Low Countries before hops became standard. The brewery sits on the western side of the city centre, a short tram or bike ride from the Korenmarkt and the Sint-Baafs cathedral. The visit lasts about one hour and is built around the brewery site, where guides explain the gruit herbs, the brewing process and the range of beers, which typically includes blond, amber, brown and white styles as well as seasonal brews. Visitors see the compact brewing equipment and learn how the herbal blend replaces hops in flavour and preservation. The visit ends with a tasting of several Gruut beers, and the beers can also be bought in the brewery shop or enjoyed at the on-site bar. The ticket, priced at roughly €12 to €20 per person, includes the visit and tasting; additional drinks, snacks and bottle purchases are paid separately. Group sizes are small compared with large breweries, the guides usually speak Dutch and English, and the pace is relaxed and conversational. The beers are alcoholic, so soft drinks are available for non-drinkers on request. Because the brewery is small, visits are often by reservation, and visitors should confirm times before going. Those with allergies, particularly to herbs, gluten or barley, should ask about ingredients, as the beers contain malt and a blend of herbs. Gruut pairs well with a visit to central Ghent, whose canal-side streets and food shops lie nearby.