-jpg-1.jpg?width=945&height=945&name=IMG_8414%20(1)-jpg-1.jpg)
In this city where students dictate the rhythm and the bars bustle until the early hours 🕞, everything revolves around that perfect ice cold 🧊 beer on tap. Whether you've just succumbed to an exam , want to catch up on group work or simply end the week with friends.
But where can you find that one glass that tastes just a little bit better than the rest? We explored Ghent's city center, from traditional pubs to trendy taprooms and selected the Top 5 Beers on Tap in Ghent for you.
Just show your pinky to the bartender and magic does the rest.
#1 Why Gentse Gruut makes beers on tap without hops
Gentse Gruut: one of the most unique beers on tap in Ghent
We didn’t expect to stumble upon a secret that one cozy autumn afternoon 🍁 in Ghent, but that’s exactly what happened when we pushed open the doors of Gentse Gruut for a beer on tap.
A brewery that breaks the rules (on purpose)
Tucked away in the charming heart of the city, ❤️ this brewery doesn’t just brew beer, it rewrites the rules.
While every other brewery proudly worships hops, Gruut takes one look at tradition and goes, “Nah, we’ve got something better.” 😎 And they do.
As we stepped inside, the world outside seemed to melt away.
It felt like traveling back in time, if the Middle Ages had Wi-Fi 🛜, decent playlists 🎶 and students sneaking beers between lectures. 📝
Why they don’t use hops
We had barely taken our first sip when someone behind the bar leaned in with a smile, as if he could already tell what we were wondering.
“We don’t use hops here,” he said. “Not because we can’t, but because we don’t have to.”
And suddenly it all made sense. He told us how, centuries ago, Ghent didn’t rely on hops at all. Brewers used ‘gruit’, a secret blend of herbs and spices 🫚 that gave every beer its character: smoky, earthy, spicy, mysterious. It was the city’s pride, its signature.
“We brew this way because it’s who we are,” he added, tapping the copper kettles behind him. “Hop is great, but gruit is our history. Our identity.” 🧬
And in that moment, we understood. Gentse Gruut doesn’t skip the hops to be different. 🧠 They do it to keep a centuries-old story alive.
Our take: Why we’ll be back
So next time we’re in Ghent, we know exactly where we’ll be. Not in the tourist traps. Not queuing for another cliché.
We’ll follow the aroma of freshly brewed magic 🪄 right back to Gentse Gruut. We’ll order a tasting flight, raise our glasses 🍻 and let history pour itself out one sip at a time.
Also craving a sip now? Same. Book your tasting and discover Ghent in a glass for yourself!
🍺: 6 beers on tap
Can't wait to visit already? Here's the practical information:
🕐Opening Hours:
-
Mon - Thu: 2 PM - 6 PM
-
Fri - Sat: 2 PM - 11 PM
-
Sun: 2 PM - 7 PM
Large groups or company visits?
📍Location:
#2 Dragon: Where beer dreams come true
This charming bar is hidden in the heart of Ghent, on the well-known Korenmarkt square.
So when you find yourself wandering around in Ghent, looking for a bar, then look no further than the Dragon.🐉 It’s the kind of bar where your worries are left at the door. 🤗
The Beer Selection (30 Taps!)
Let’s be honest, the real star of The Dragon is the beer 🍺. With 30 Belgian beers on tap, there was absolutely no way we could try them all in one night (though trust me, we were tempted 😅).
Since we couldn’t make up our mind, the bartender suggested we would go for their Dragon’s Beer Tasters. It’s perfect for indecisive people like us: four different beers on tap, each with its own unique character.
We ended up with beers that couldn’t have been more different from each other, from light and fruity to deep and malty.
Why you should try this one
Our favorite? Definitely the Dragon Slayer. Bold, flavorful, and just the right amount of kick 🔥. You can really tell they put a lot of love and care ❤️ into every pour.
So if you ever find yourself in Ghent, do yourself a favor and check out The Dragon. Trust me, it’s worth the visit. 🍻🐉
🍺: 30 beers on tap
🕐 Opening Hours:
-
Mon - Thu: 5 PM - 1 AM
-
Fri - Sat: 5 PM - 3 AM
-
Sun: 5 PM - 1 AM
📍Location:
#3 Experience fresh beer on the river at Kaffee De Planck ⚓
The perfect atmosphere
Floating gently on the river 🌊, Kaffee De Planck offers one of Ghent’s most unique beer experiences.
Sitting on a cozy wooden boat, we enjoyed freshly tapped Belgian beers 🍺 while watching the sunset over the water, the perfect mix of local flavor and relaxed atmosphere.
A place you can call home
The moment we stepped on board, the warm wooden interior and friendly vibe made us feel right at home 🤗. The staff really knows their beers, helping us pick two local favorites: Fourchette and Rouge 🍺❤️. Each pour was done with care, that perfect golden stream of beer and creamy foam we all love.
It’s the kind of place where you lose track of time, chatting with friends and enjoying the river breeze. We especially recommend visiting during sunset 🌅, it’s when the boat lights up and Ghent’s canals feel truly magical ✨.
For the full experience
For a full beer experience, join the Ghent beer tour a great way to taste and learn about Belgium’s brewing culture.
Visitor Tips:
-
Arrive early for a prime riverside spot 🌅
-
Ask the staff for seasonal beers or specials 🍺✨
-
Bring friends, sharing the experience makes it even more fun 👯🎉
-
Don’t forget to take photos 📸 of the beer on tap
🍺: 30 beers on tap
🕐 Opening Hours:
Mon – Sun: 11:30 pm – 1:30 am
📞 Contact: 0478 76 94 16
📍Location:
#4 Let's be a real Gentenaar for a day with Dulle Griet
Right in the middle of Ghent’s historic friday Market sits Café De Dulle Griet, a place as wild, warm and wonderfully quirky as its name suggests.
A cannon with a story
The name comes from the infamous 15th-century cannon that once defended the city and that same spirit of boldness still echoes in the walls.🍺
Our first impression
As we walked through the door, it felt like stepping into another world. Wooden walls lined with old bottles, quirky trinkets and centuries of Belgian beer culture staring back at us. Everywhere we looked, there was the hum of chatter, laughter and the clinking of tulip glasses brimming with liquid gold ✨.
The tradition that steals your shoe
Then comes the ritual. Order the legendary Max and you’ll be asked to hand over one of your shoes. Yes, really: your shoe is kept in a basket hanging from the ceiling until you finish your towering glass of Max 👟. Only in Ghent does tradition come with such humor.
The beer menu? Massive. Over 500 different beers, from rich Trappists and crisp local pilsners to fruity lambics and smoky stouts. Every pour tells a Belgian story.🌟
Still not convinced? Well, “Maar ale zeg!” , that’s exactly what every true Gentenaar would shrug and say.
And you’re not the only one curious, plenty of other visitors have dared to try it too:
🍺: 16 beers on tap
🕐 Opening hours:
Mo – Thu: 12 PM – 12 AM
Fri – Sat: 12 PM – 1 AM
Sun: 12 PM – 12 AM
📞 Contact: +32 9 224 24 55
📍Location:
#5 Bier Central: Centralizing the joy of Belgian beer🍻
An encyclopedia for greatness
When we stumbled into Bier Central, right next to the vibrant Korenmarkt, we felt like we had entered beer heaven 🍺✨. With 33 beers on tap and over 333 bottled varieties, we didn't know where to start. Flipping through the "beer book" (a 167-page beer encyclopedia) we felt like kids in a candy store. 🍭
A pink elephant or a ballsack
Experience the vintage vibe
Walking through Bier Central, you'll feel completely surrounded by beer🍻. Old crates and bottles are stacked everywhere, vintage metal plates hanging on the walls, and an immensly cozy vibe 🤗.
A beerfactory in the basement
The most unique part? Downstairs. Here, you can see all the barrels lined up, connected with the shiny copper pipes to the taps, just like a mini beer factory🏭.
Feel like a real Belgian
Got hungry from all that delicious belgian beer? No worries! Besides the amazing taps, there's also a full Belgian kitchen🍽️. All the classics are here, from "stoemp" to Belgian waffles 🍘.
If you get lost in all that Belgian deliciousness, don't panic. We've got your back! Start with the homemade beer croquettes, follow it with the Flemish beef stew with fries 🍟 and finish your Belgian feast with a warm apple tarte tatin 🍎🍰. We did it and even we felt more Belgian than we ever have!
🍺: 33 beers on tap
🕐 Opening hours:
Mo – Thu: 12 PM – 12 AM
Fri – Sat: 12 PM – 1 AM
Sun: 12 PM – 12 AM
📞 Contact: +32 9 329 05 04
📍Location:
But even a freshly poured pint comes to an end
So yeah, after checking out the top 5 beers on tap in Ghent, one thing’s clear: this city never disappoints when it comes to good vibes and even better pints. From crisp lagers to crazy craft picks, there’s always something new to try.
Want more chill recommendations, student-proof spots or just the best places to grab a pint without overthinking it?
👉 Top 10 Beers on tap
Receive MORE Top 5's of your favorite city.
Never miss an opportunity to learn more about your favorite city.