Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery

REVIEW · BRUSSELS

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery

  • 5.08 reviews
  • 1 hour (approx.)
  • From $30.03
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Operated by Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 5.0 (8)Duration1 hour (approx.)Price from$30.03Operated byTipsy Tribe Brewery & DistilleryBook viaViator

Beer and spirits in the same building sounds clever. Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery turns that idea into a real, working visit where you learn how craft beer and spirits connect. You’ll get a guided look at the process and then taste two different in-house beers in a small, comfortable setting.

What I like most is the focus: you see the brewing setup and hear how the brewing and distilling process works, not just a slideshow. I also really like that the tasting is practical, with two different styles served in 16cl glasses, so you can compare flavors without guessing.

One consideration: the included tasting is only two beers. If you want to keep sampling after the tour, plan on buying additional drinks in the tap room.

Tipsy Tribe: a real brewery-distillery outside the tourist core

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery - Tipsy Tribe: a real brewery-distillery outside the tourist core
Most beer tours in Brussels are either a museum of bottles or a tasting in a shop. This one is different because it’s a small brewery-distillery in Koekelberg, a more residential pocket of the city.

That changes the vibe. You’re not just consuming beer. You’re watching the machinery, hearing the story from the people making it, and then stepping into the tap room to keep the party going at your own pace.

The bonus is that you’re in the same place that makes both sides of the story—beer and spirits. The place is set up for the full experience: learn, taste, then order something that fits what you just learned.

What you’ll do during the ~1-hour beer tasting tour

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery - What you’ll do during the ~1-hour beer tasting tour
This experience is built around one main stop: Tipsy Tribe. After you arrive at the brewery-distillery (Chau. de Jette 374, 1081 Koekelberg), you’ll join a guided session that lasts about an hour.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Brussels.

Your tour flow

  • You start with a guided walk through the brewery-distillery.
  • The guide explains the brewing process and how distilling fits into their world.
  • Then you taste two different craft beers brewed onsite.

A key detail that matters: you’re served in 16cl glasses. That size is big enough to notice aroma and flavor, but it’s not so large that you lose the ability to compare styles. It’s also a smart way to keep the tour from dragging, since everything is designed for an hour-long visit.

Meeting the people behind the brews

This isn’t a faceless operation. The tour includes meeting the brewer-distiller and/or a co-founder, depending on who’s available. In the past, guides like Daniel (and the team) have been described as friendly and very clear with their explanations.

You get better value when you can ask real questions. With a smaller place and a small group size, it’s easier to get answers that match what you care about—rather than hearing generic facts meant for everyone.

The two beers you taste: built for comparisons, not just sipping

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery - The two beers you taste: built for comparisons, not just sipping
The tasting part is simple on paper: two craft beers, two styles. In practice, that’s where the experience earns its keep.

Because both beers are brewed onsite at Tipsy Tribe, you’re not tasting just anything Belgian. You’re tasting what this operation is currently making and refining. That makes your tasting feel current, like you’re sampling from a working production line, not something shipped in for visitors.

What “different styles” can mean here

Tipsy Tribe is known for covering both traditional and more experimental styles. You might encounter Belgian-style influence, but you could also run into more unusual choices such as a Japanese IPA made from rice. That kind of detail is the reason I like this tour for beer lovers: it gives you a broader view of what “craft Belgian beer” can be.

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How you can use the tasting

Here’s a practical way to think about it. After the first beer, you’ll usually start noticing:

  • how the malt and fermentation show up on the nose
  • how bitterness balances (or doesn’t) with sweetness
  • how the finish differs from one style to the next

Then the second 16cl pour becomes your comparison point. You’ll leave with at least two clear flavor memories—and that’s what helps you order the right beer later in the tap room.

Brewing and distilling talk: why it’s more than trivia

Many beer tours toss out facts. This one ties those facts to the actual work in the building.

During the guided part, you’ll get an explanation of the brewing and distilling process. The big value isn’t that you become a beer scientist in an hour. It’s that you stop tasting blindly.

Brewing insights that can change how you order

Even basic explanations—like how ingredients and timing affect flavor—help you decode what you like. Once you understand what drives a certain style, you can ask the tap room for something that matches your preferences instead of ordering random.

Distilling context you can actually use

Because it’s also a distillery, the tour doesn’t treat spirits as a separate world. You’re told about the distilling angle, and then you can connect that to the drinks you see afterward.

In the tap room afterward, people often order cocktails based on the brewery’s beers or choose spirit-forward drinks like gin. That’s the payoff: the tour gives you enough context to order with confidence.

Tap room time after the tour: where your tasting turns into dinner plans

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery - Tap room time after the tour: where your tasting turns into dinner plans
When the guided portion ends, you can stay and relax in the tap room. This is where you shift from learning mode to choosing mode.

You can buy:

  • craft beers (more than the two tastings)
  • signature cocktails
  • additional snacks

This is also where the 16cl approach matters again. You start with a focused tasting, then you decide if you want more of one style, something different, or something mixed with their spirits.

If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want to drink much, tap room time is flexible. You can order based on budget and taste without feeling locked into a set menu.

Price and value: is $30.03 worth it?

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery - Price and value: is $30.03 worth it?
At $30.03 per person, you’re paying for a guided visit plus two onsite craft beer tastings.

For a Brussels beer experience, that price often makes sense when you think about what’s included:

  • a guided brewery-distillery walkthrough
  • explanations of brewing and distilling
  • two craft beer tastings, each 16cl
  • a small group setting (maximum 16 travelers)

The value depends on your drink style. If you’re happy with two beers and you mainly want the behind-the-scenes info, this is a solid deal. If you’re hoping to sample a wide range of beers and cocktails beyond the two included pours, you’ll likely spend more after the tour in the tap room.

So I’d treat the tour as your “direction setter.” You learn what the place does best, then use the tap room to fine-tune your own beer path.

Getting there in Brussels: plan for Koekelberg, not central bustle

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery - Getting there in Brussels: plan for Koekelberg, not central bustle
Tipsy Tribe is near public transportation, which helps. The setting is a bit off the main tourist lanes, in Koekelberg, so don’t plan on a purely walk-and-hope route from everywhere.

A nearby metro/bus option like Simonis is commonly used to reach this area. Even if you end up taking a short walk, it’s usually quicker than it sounds once you’re on the right line.

Practical advice: give yourself a little buffer. A one-hour tour is short, and you’ll feel better arriving relaxed instead of speed-walking through residential streets.

Who this beer-and-distillery tour suits best

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery - Who this beer-and-distillery tour suits best
This is a great fit if you:

  • want real craft beer production and not just a tasting counter
  • like the idea of learning brewing basics in a small setting
  • enjoy comparing beer styles in a guided way
  • are curious about spirits and cocktails, even if you only sample them after

It’s also a good choice for groups up to 16, since smaller groups tend to make Q&A easier and keep the pace comfortable.

If you’re the type who wants long tastings with lots of pours, you may find this tour short. But if you want quality info plus two meaningful 16cl tastes, you’re in the right place.

Should you book Tipsy Tribe?

Beer tasting in a Brussels Micro Brewery and Distillery - Should you book Tipsy Tribe?
Yes, if you want a Brussels beer experience that feels like you’re stepping into the workshop. The combination of brewery tour, brewing-and-distilling explanations, and two onsite tastings makes it more than a quick sip stop.

I’d skip or reconsider if you’re trying to build an evening around a large number of included drinks. This tour is designed around two beers and a focused hour, followed by optional purchases in the tap room.

If you like your Belgium beer with a side of behind-the-scenes craft, this is an easy decision.

FAQ

How long is the beer tasting tour at Tipsy Tribe?

It runs for about 1 hour.

What is included in the price of $30.03 per person?

You get a guided tour with explanations of the brewing and distilling processes, plus 2 x 16cl craft beer tastings made onsite.

How many beers do I taste during the tour?

You taste two different craft beers, served in 16cl glasses.

Do I need to speak French to join?

The tour is offered in English. Other languages (French, Spanish, Turkish, and Amharic) are available upon request and subject to availability.

What is the minimum age to participate?

You must be 16 years old or above to participate in the beer tasting.

Is the group size limited?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

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