Belgian Beer Culture is Intangible Cultural Heritage

In November 2016, UNESCO decided to add Belgian beer culture to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This shows that beer culture is part of Belgian traditions which been practiced for centuries and always in a form that was able to adapt to the ever changing society. The UNESCO inscription is a recognition of the efforts made to preserve the experience and knowledge surrounding Belgian brewing art and to pass them on to the next generations.

The Belgian beer culture builds on the diversity of our brewing art and is particularly closely connected with the customs of our country. It forms an integral part of Belgian everyday life and is inseparably linked with festivity. However, UNESCO also recognizes the actions taken to preserve the Belgian beer culture, including the establishment of an observatory as a monitoring center for beer culture, the conception and organization of professional training, as well as measures to combat alcohol abuse.

Would you like to communicate on the topic of beer culture as intangible cultural heritage?

Are you yourself part of the Belgian beer culture….whether as a brewer, a beer tasting organization, a museum, a café, etc.....and would you like to communicate on this topic?

On this page, we offer you a variety of downloadable documents (see top right):

  1. Photos on the subject of Belgian beer culture
    Please mention the copyright holder when using these photos.

  2. Video
    This Film was produced for the application to UNESCO and may be used freely of rights.
  3. The official Belgian beer culture flyer
    This flyer may be used as print file free of charge.
    Feel free to send this flyer to a printer of your choice. On the lower back of the flyer you will be able to fill in your contact details. Please beware: Changes to the text or graphic design are not allowed.
    If you wish to receive the flyer in printed form, please contact us for a printing offer.

  4. Press releases
    The press releases on 1) the inscription of Belgian beer culture (30/11/2016) and 2) the official handover of the certificate (19/05/2017) in German, Dutch, French, and English.

Photos beerculture
These photos could be downloaded in a high resolution under the menu “Mehr zum Thema”.