Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan, Bruges Travel Guide

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan, or the Half Moon Brewery, is more than just a brewery; it's a living piece of Bruges' history. Brewing has occurred on this site for over five centuries, with the current family-run brewery dating back to 1856. For six generations, the Maes family has crafted authentic Belgian beers within these walls.The brewery is famous for its Brugse Zot, a strong-tasting, high-fermentation beer made with malt, hops, and special yeast. In 2016, the brewery completed a unique 3-kilometer underground beer pipeline to transport beer to its bottling plant outside the city center, avoiding the need for trucks to navigate the narrow, cobbled streets.A visit to De Halve Maan offers an immersive experience. Brewery tours guide visitors through the brewing process, from the raw ingredients to the final product. The tour includes a tasting of Brugse Zot, allowing visitors to savor the flavors of Bruges. For true beer lovers, an XL tour is available on weekends, featuring a tasting session of three different specialty beers in the brewery's authentic cellars. The tour also features a virtual experience around the famous underground beer pipeline and bottling plant.