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Brewery · Bruges, Flandres Ocidental
Brouwerij De Halve Maan
Family-run brewery operating in central Bruges since 1856, located on the Walplein. The guided tour goes through the brewhouse and old equipment and climbs to the roof, with 360-degree views over the city.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Brouwerij De Halve Maan
De Halve Maan, the Half Moon, is on the Walplein, near the Begijnhof. There are records of beer being brewed at this address for centuries, and the current brewery was founded in 1856 by Henri Maes. Since then it has passed down through the same family, which keeps production within the historic center.
The house brands are Brugse Zot, Bobo de Bruges, and Straffe Hendrik, a name that honors the founder. The brewery also revived Blanche de Bruges, a wheat beer that for years was produced outside the city.
To avoid clogging the cobbled streets with trucks, the brewery built an underground pipeline of about 3 kilometers that carries beer to the bottling plant outside the center, running as deep as 34 meters. The visit shows this pipeline in an audiovisual experience.
The guided tour starts in the brewhouse, where the beers are made, passes by tanks and equipment used in earlier times and climbs stairs to the roof. From up there you can see the towers of the Belfry, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk and the Sint-Salvatorskathedraal. At the end, adults taste an unfiltered beer; children may join the tour when accompanied.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
The classic tour lasts about 45 minutes. There is a longer version of around one and a half hours on weekends.
Best time
Tours run several times a day in Dutch, French and English, and fill up on weekends and holidays. Book in advance on the brewery's website and confirm the language of the tour.
How to get there
It is on the Walplein, about a 10-minute walk from the Markt and close to the Begijnhof and the Minnewater. From Brugge station it is about a 15-minute walk. There is no on-site parking.
Tip
The tour involves about 220 steps, some steep: wear sturdy shoes and avoid it if you have mobility difficulties. Those who do not drink alcohol can still take the tour for the history and the view. If you plan to taste, do so after eating and take your time, and do not drive afterward.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Brouwerij De Halve Maan
How long does the guided tour last?
The classic tour lasts about 45 minutes. On weekends there is a longer tour of about an hour and a half. It's best to book.
What is Bruges' beer pipeline?
An underground pipe of about 3 kilometers that carries beer from the brewery in the center to the bottling plant, avoiding trucks on the narrow streets.
Is the visit accessible?
Not for those with mobility difficulties: there are about 220 steps, some steep, up to the roof.