Stella Artois Brewery Visit Leuven

The Stella Artois brewery at Vuurkruisenlaan 54 in Leuven, in Belgium's Flemish Region, is the home of one of the best-known lagers in the world. The operator, the Stella Artois Brewery, traces its roots to the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, which records place at 1366, and the Stella lager itself was first brewed as a Christmas beer in 1926. Leuven is a university city about 25 minutes by train from Brussels, and the brewery lies at the edge of the centre, a short distance from the main station. The visit is a guided tour of about one and a half hours that follows the brewing process, from malt, hops and water through brewing, fermentation, storage and bottling. Visitors see the brewhouse and the large production lines, and learn about the history of the Artois family and the brewery's growth into an international brand. Access to a large industrial site is organised, so visits are normally arranged in advance rather than on a drop-in basis. The experience ends with a tasting of fresh lager, and sometimes other beers from the group, in a reception or tasting area. The ticket, priced at roughly €12 to €20 per person, covers the guided visit and tasting; meals, extra drinks and merchandise cost more. Tours are usually offered in Dutch, English and French, with groups of mixed size, and the pace is steady with a good deal of walking and some stairs. Safety rules apply on the production floor, including closed shoes and following the guide. The tasting is beer, so soft drinks should be requested by non-drinkers and by anyone under the legal drinking age. Because opening arrangements and group availability can change, visitors should confirm the current schedule before planning the trip. Leuven's old town, with its town hall and student cafes, makes a natural complement to the visit.