Rodenbach Brewery Tour Roeselare

The Rodenbach Brewery at Spanjestraat 133 in Roeselare, in West Flanders in Belgium's Flemish Region, is known for Flemish red-brown ale, a sour style aged in oak. The operator, Rodenbach Brewery, was founded in 1821 and its beers, including Rodenbach Classic and Rodenbach Grand Cru, are matured in large oak vats known as foeders. The brewery has a long industrial history in Roeselare, a town between Bruges and Kortrijk, and the site retains much of its historic character. The guided tour lasts about one and a half hours and follows the production of the ale, from the brewhouse to the maturation halls. The highlight is the foeder cellar, where hundreds of tall oak vats, some well over a century old, hold beer that ages for up to two years. Guides explain the role of the cooper, the blend of young and aged beer, and the unusual sweet-and-sour profile that distinguishes the style. The tour ends with a tasting, typically of Rodenbach Classic and Grand Cru, served at the brewery. The ticket, priced at roughly €10 to €15 per person, includes the guided tour and the tasting; food, extra drinks and shop purchases are paid separately. Tours are often held in Dutch, English and French, and group visits are usually arranged in advance, so individual visitors should check the schedule. The pace is gradual, with standing and some stairs in the cellar area, and the cellar is cool. The tasting is beer, so a soft drink is usually available on request for non-drinkers. Beer-and-food pairings may be possible in a cafe or restaurant arrangement, and visitors with dietary requirements should ask beforehand. Roeselare is reached by direct train from Bruges, Ghent and Kortrijk, which makes the brewery a convenient beer excursion within West Flanders.