Beers from the Belgian and French Ardennes take centre stage on Friday and Saturday at a triple beer festival organised in Vresse-sur-Semois, Namur Province, a stone’s throw from the border.
The summer climate is not the most conducive to tasting triples, which are fairly high in alcohol due to their greater density. However, the organisers are keen to point out that this type of beer, in which Belgian brewers and those from the north of France excel, remains a benchmark.
Often associated with abbeys (Westmalle, Maredsous, Affligem…), the triple has also found a place in the vats of breweries with no ecclesiastical ties.
Thirteen companies from the cross-border Ardennes region will be offering their own versions. The Belgian line-up includes Lupulus (Gouvy), Brasserie de la Lesse (Rochefort), Millevertus (Tintigny), Rochehaut (Bouillon), Station 16 (Gedinne), Saint-Monon (Nassogne) and Brasserie L4 (Libramont).
In addition to beer, the festival will feature a whole series of concerts. Eight different bands, also from the Franco-Belgian Ardennes, will take to the stage.
The number of breweries has been rising steadily in recent years in Belgium, from 133 in 2010 to 430 last year. However, the increase is even more meteoric in France, with over 2,500 breweries listed by 2022, according to data from specialist author Emmanuel Gillard.
In the 1980s, only around 30 were still in business.
