Belgium’s is not only home of the world’s largest brewing group AB InBev and one of the countries with the richest history in beer, the country will in three years also be home of one of the most interesting museums for beer in the world.
At the beginning of 2023 after its renovation, the building of the former Brussels stock exchange will be partly converted into a beer museum. While the large hall and the two lower floors will be spaces for public events, the upper floors will host the beer experience centre Belgian Beer World.
The Brussels Stock Exchange building was inaugurated in December 1873 and was for 140 years the hub of the Belgium’s financial activities until Euronext Brussels relocated in 2015 its activities to new premises within the city which “better fit with Euronext’s new culture of efficiency, growth and innovation.”
The old building which is located on the Place de la Bourse in Belgian's capital Brussels mixes borrowings from the neo-Renaissance and Second Empire styles in a profusion of ornaments and sculptures by renowned artists including Auguste Rodin. Renovation works already started earlier this year on a smaller scale while the main works are scheduled to start in summer.
A total of 104 Belgian beer brewers from all over Belgium have confirmed their participation in the project which will show the visitors the variety and rich history of Belgium beers. The permanent exhibition will also explain why Belgian beer is recognized as world heritage by UNESCO.
“We can say that we are the land of beer, and if you want the link between tradition and diversity, you’ll have to come to Belgium,” explains Sven Gats, Brussels Minister for the Image of Brussels.
“This project will strengthen the attractiveness of Brussels as a tourist centre,” said Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region. The city hopes to attract with the Belgian Beer World each year some 300,000 visitors.
