Water Matters in Beers and Spirits in Brussels

Many people don't realize how much water matters in craft beer and distilling in Brussels. For most, water is just an ingredient used to make beer or distilled spirits.  For us at Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery, water is more of an art.

The role of water in beers and spirits

For each beer and spirit we produce, we use reverse osmosis water as a blank canvas, which we promptly "rebuild" depending on what we're making. A lager? We recreate the soft water profiles of Czechia. A bourbon-style Belgian whisky? Then we take inspiration from Kentucky.

We customize the water of all our beers and spirits. And until recently, I thought this was the norm... Well, apparently, it isn't standard practice amongst craft breweries in Belgium. Asking around some Brussels breweries or other beer sector folks, I realized that most Belgian breweries use their city water directly.

Craft brewing in Brussels: a different approach

Brussels water is great for many beers, especially the more traditional Belgian beer styles. But we aren't a traditional Belgian brewery, and our brewer Dan loves taking the difficult route at every possible occasion in pursuit of making the best beer and the best spirits. And I'm glad he does, because playing with the water has a tremendous impact on the flavor and quality of our craft.  

Sustainability in our brewery and distillery

Another aspect we’re proud of is sustainability. The water that is usually discarded during the reverse osmosis process is captured and reused for cleaning and cooling, helping us reduce water waste across our brewery and distillery operations.

Discover brewing and distilling in Brussels

On the occasion of World Water Day, it's worth highlighting an essential element like water is so vital not only in life, but also in the production of craft beers and spirits!

If you’re curious to learn more about how craft beer and distilled spirits are made, join one of our Brussels brewery tours, discover a beer tasting in Brussels, or stop by our brewstillery for a unique local experience.

Keywords: Water Matters in Beer and Spirits in Brussels, distilled spirits, distilleries, distillery, craft beers, breweries, beer