Belgium celebrates International Beer Day to celebrate Belgium’s rich and diverse beer culture, one of the world’s leading beer producers and exporters. The country is home to over 400 breweries, producing more than 1,600 different types of beer.
It was founded in 2007 in Santa Cruz, California, by Jesse Avshalomov and has since become a global phenomenon. Every year on the first Friday of August, people raise their glasses to honour the beverage that has connected cultures, celebrated friendships, and been part of human history for centuries.
🍺 Today is International Beer Day!
⬛️ Belgium is the 2nd biggest beer exporter in the EU 🇪🇺
🟨 #BelgianBeers are included in the @unesco list of intangible cultural heritage
🟥 Belgium produces at least 2,000 different types of beer & for each variety – specific type of glass! pic.twitter.com/w1Dqw26JDG— Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Astana (@beinastana) August 4, 2023
Some intriguing beer trivia and facts are as follows:
The Oldest Recipe: Beer is no newcomer to the party! The oldest recorded beer recipe dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 3900 BC. Talk about a drink with a long-standing legacy.
The Alewives: Women called “alewives” were the primary brewers in medieval Europe. They brewed beer for their communities and were essential to its production and distribution. Cheers to women’s power.
Reinheitsgebot: Ever heard of the German Beer Purity Law? In 1516, it was enacted in Bavaria, stating that beer could only be made with three ingredients: water, barley, and hops. A rule that still influences brewing practices today.
Beer for Health: Contrary to some beliefs, moderate beer consumption may have health benefits. It’s been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and may even help with bone density due to its silicon content. Remember, moderation is key.
Global Ties: Beer connects the world! Every culture brings its unique twist to this beloved drink, from the Belgian Trappist ales to the Japanese rice beers and the Mexican cervezas to the American craft brews.
The Embassy of Belgium in Singapore also took to Facebook to wish everyone on the International Beer Day and shared some facts about beers in Belgium. The Embassy said, “Happy International Beer Day. Today is a great day to celebrate Belgium’s rich and diverse beer culture, one of the world’s leading beer producers and exporters.”
Belgium is home to over 400 breweries, producing more than 1,600 different types of beer, ranging from pale lagers to dark ales, from fruity lambics to sour gueuzes, from strong Trappists to refreshing wheat beers.
Belgian beer culture is so unique and valuable that it was inscribed on UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” list in 2016.
Belgian beer is not only enjoyed by locals but also by millions of people around the world. Around 73% of the beer produced in Belgium is exported. In 2021, this represented $1.98 billion USD worth of beer, making it the third largest exporter of beer in the world.
Since its inception, International Beer Day has grown from a small localized event in the western United States into a worldwide celebration spanning 207 cities, 80 countries and 6 continents.
The day is meant to gather with friends and enjoy the taste of beer, celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer, and unite the world under the banner of beer by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day.
