Zythos Bierfestival
One of the world's largest Belgian beer festivals with 500+ beers from around 100 breweries at Brabanthal in Leuven.
ⓘ Recurring event. The 2026 date is the usual window; confirm the exact date closer to the event.
Position your craft beer, brewery tourism, or hospitality brand at Europe's premier beer festival to reach 50,000+ enthusiasts and international beer connoisseurs in one weekend.
- 500+ beers from 100 breweries: the ultimate beer bucket list experience
- Plan your Leuven pilgrimage: insider tips for navigating Zythos like a pro
- Belgian beer culture meets global craft: what to expect at the world's largest beer festival
- Behind-the-scenes with brewmasters: exclusive interviews and tastings from Zythos exhibitors
The Zythos Bier Festival is one of Belgium's biggest events for beer-lovers, organized by Zythos, a Belgian association of beer-tasters, who bring together up to one hundred different breweries under one roof. Each April, the festival turns Brabanthal in Leuven into a premier beer tasting venue with more than 500 beers on offer. This festival typically happens over a weekend in April and attracts a diverse crowd, with live music adding to the festive spirit.
- 500+ beers from ~100 Belgian breweries across 80+ stands
- Special beer styles: Primeur beers (first-time releases), exclusive festival brews, and craft/experimental styles
- Visitor-voted awards: attendees vote for their three favourite beers, and the top winner receives the consumer trophy
- Token-based tasting system: purchase a starter pack (€9) with a 10cl glass and 5 tokens
- extra tokens €1 each
- City-wide activities: beer-themed walks, workshops, and local restaurants serving beer-infused dishes
- Attended by ~15,000 visitors, increasingly international since UNESCO recognition of Belgian beer culture (2016)
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