Antwerp - Beer Passion Weekend 2025

Bierpassie Weekend had a new (to Tim) setting in 2025 - Handelsbeurs Antwerpen. 

Since Tim's first attendance in 2016, the festival has been held in the paved open space of Groenplaats with views of the cathedral. 

However, longer serving members of the Belgian beer loving group, that Tim joined in 2016, advise that Handelsbeurs (Old Trade Exchange) was the setting for the first two events in 2000 and 2001.

The entrance to the festival is via Twaalfmaandenstraat, off Meir, Antwerp's main pedestrian street, near one of the inconspicuous entrances to Antwerpen Meir metro station.

At the entrance counter, one can purchase an entrance package including a tasting glass and beer tokens. Those returning with a tasting glass from a previous session or year can simply purchase the number of plastic beer tokens they require. This year tokens cost €3.50 for each 20cl tasting glass pour. 

A useful illustrated programme with a plan (above), music programme and tasting notes by beer sommelier and festival organiser Ben Vinken is also available.

The official opening was at 5pm on Friday 20 June. Tim arrived at 7pm and was joined by Andrew, Keith, Richard and Simon about half an hour later. 

Richard & Andrew    +     Keith, Tim & Simon

Seats were available on one of the two long tables covered with white tablecloths. With a view of the stage from the middle of the room, this was our base for the rest of the evening.

Friday's musical entertainment was supplied by Floris and the Flames - a high energy set featuring Floris Willem playing violin.

Out of seven beers tasted at this session, Tim's favourite was Kasteel Tropical (7% ABV) with four others rating highly: Duvel Imperial Blond (10% - limited edition),  Paix Dieu Nova (6%), Stuut Juicy Dolly (5.8% - NEIPA) and Gulden Draak Blond (8%). These were all new beers since the last festival, marked Nieuw in red in the programme.

Handelsbeurs proved a welcome change of setting for the festival. As well as being good for socialising in an historic environment, another benefit was toilet facilities that were free to access, in contrast to the charge made at Groenplaats. We were among the last to leave at midnight.

Our group returned to Handelsbeurs on Saturday 21 June around 8.30pm and were again able to find seats at one of the central tables.

Saturday's musical entertainment was provided by Big Band Ekeren Brasschaat.

Tim's first two beers were disappointing but Brugse Zot Blond (6% ABV) was as good as ever.

Andrew's kind gift of a surplus token was a welcome chance to enjoy another glass of Kasteel Tropical before we left. Cheers!