Imagine more than 500 varieties of incredible beer brewed in an area smaller than Washington. Actually about 1/6th the size of Washington! This is Belgium and one of the reasons beer travel to it is so attractive.
Belgium is located in northwest Europe and occupies an area of 11,781 sq. miles (continental United States sq. mileage is 3,021,295 sq. miles). It borders The Netherlands to the north, Germany and Luxembourg to the east and France to the south and east with roughly 45 miles of coastline on the North Sea. Belgium’s widest point is 204 miles across, which means you can drive across it in about three hours.
Its population is about 10.7 million people.
Certain beer styles have regional concentrations of breweries, for example lambics around Brussels and farmhouse ales in the south. The highest concentration of breweries is in the north, but there are many great breweries in the scenic Ardennes mountain region in the south, too.
Belgium is comprised of a number of provinces. Some French-speaking and some Flemish, which is basically Dutch. While there can be a language barrier. Don’t let it intimidate you. Many people, especially in the service industry know English.
About 60% of the roughly 10 million population speaks Flemish and are located in the north, mainly Flanders. About 40% of the population speaks French and are located in the southern region of Wallonia. The exception is the capital city of Brussels in the north, where 85-90% of the population speaks French and the minority Flemish.
Less than 1% of the population of Belgium, around 70,000, living in the German-speaking community east of the Walloon Region.
About 10% of Belgium's population is in Brussels, its capital. As mentioned above, the population of Belgium is primarily of two cultural groups, the French speaking Walloons of the southern provinces - known as Wallonia - and the Flemish speaking Flemings to the north.
This linguistic diversity often leads to political and cultural conflict and is reflected in Belgium’s complex system of government and political history.
It is interesting to note these two cultural groups seem to not think well of each other, but coexist without major problems. Just be aware of the cultural pride of the groups and try not to offend.
You learn a lot of these subtleties as you go along. Overall travel in Belgium is very user friendly and they are glad to see you and share their fine beers.
Belgium is known as the “Battlefield of Europe.” From the Middle Ages
until the 17th century, it was a prosperous center of commerce and culture. From
the 16th century until he Belgian Revolution in 1830, then called Southern Netherlands,
it was the site of many battles between European powers. In WWI and WWII it was
once again the site of many, long, costly battles. Students of history will enjoy
Belgium.
Belgianfest guests receive a $10 discount on the next Belgian Beer Me! Belgian
beer appreciation classes on February 21st and April 11th, 2010. at Beveridge
Place Pub. $45 for Belgianfest guests (regular $55). Contact Belgian
Beer Me! to RSVP
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