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We leave from Dinant (or elsewhere) for one of following tours:
1. A tour in the region of Dinant without tour guide (about 4 hours).
We leave Dinant for the Caracole Brewery, for a guided tour of this picturesque artisanal brewery, followed by a tasting of 4 beers with character: Troublette, Saxo, Caracole and Nostradamus; all brewed the old way, on a woodfire !
We pass alongside the Abbey of Leffe on course to the Belgian Beers Museum, the paradise for collectors: more than 13.500 Belgian beer bottles, glasses, ashtrays, parasols, posters and other objects! Not to speak about tasting at the counter: a choice between more than 800 bottled beers and 11 on tap ...
And to finish the visit: an examination of knowledge on Belgian beers; with a price for the winner ! Guess...
2. A one day tour (approximately 8 hours) with tourist guide.
We leave Dinant, destination the Abbey of Chimay, while driving along the Meuse, the Castle of Freÿr, Waulsort, Hastière and Treignes. To cater for their needs, the monks of Chimay developed since 1862 the production of the famous Trappist beers and cheeses. Chimay is an authentic Trappist beer: brewed in the enclosure of a Trappist monastery, under the control and the responsibility of the monastic community. Only 6 beers, all located in Belgium, can carry the name "Trappist": Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren and Achel.
We go then to the Brewery of Fagnes. In this single place is gathered: a brewery of the 18th century (exhibition of an old brewery, as they were some 150 years ago), a modern brewery (entirely accessible, line of production in activity and Master Brewer at work) and a vast tasting room where you will be able to enjoy beers manufactured on the spot.
We finally go to the Gambrinus Drivers Museum, the single museum dedicated to the trucks of breweries. The brewers constituted, until about 1930, the largest market for the manufacturers of trucks! The reduction in the number of breweries involved the disappearance of many local manufacturers. This museum is located in an old malt factory-brewery-farm of the 19th century (the Bouty brewery stopped in 1973). It has 20 vehicles (rare, even unique for some) and 70 glass cabinets of various themes.
3. A second one day trip (approximately 8 hours) with tourist guide.
We drive initially towards the Abbey of Leffe for a visit of the abbey. The foundation of the abbey goes back to 1152 by the Fathers Norbertins, disciples of Saint-Augustinus. Brewing began less than a century later, in 1240. A community of canons of Tongerlo lives there since 1929. Leffe (abbey beer, not to confuse with the Trappist beers) is currently brewed in Leuven by InBev (ex Interbrew/Stella Artois).
We leave Dinant for the Caracole Brewery, for a guided tour of this picturesque artisanal brewery, followed by a tasting of 4 beers with character: Troublette, Sax, Caracole and Nostradamus; all brewed the old way, on a woodfire!
We continue for the Abbey of Our Lady of Saint-Remy of Rochefort. Founded in 1230, it belongs to the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, named Trappist because of his historical bonds with the abbey of La Trappe in France, and the role of this one in the reform of the Cistercian Order in the XVIIth century. They produce, since centuries, a renowned beer of voluntarily limited production. The modest dimension of the Brewery enables the Trappist monks and their collaborators a perfect control over the production.
On the way back, we will pass by Ciergnon and Celles.
 Looking for more info about beer (including agenda, receipts, litterature, ...) ? Look no further ! We highly recommend you the website of BiereBel.com: by passionate connoisseurs and THE reference for belgian beers ! Consult without moderation !
Scenic Tours sprl
Chaussée Romaine, 10
B-5500 Dinant
Belgium
phone/fax: +32-(0)82-21 96 37
GSM: +32-(0)475-24 26 50
email: info@scenic-tours.be
Creation date : 16/12/2004 @ 11:57
Last update : 19/09/2005 @ 12:57
Category : <!-02-->Tourism
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