Gluten-Free Belgian Beer in Ghent: A Surprisingly Delicious Discovery

Think Belgian beer is all wheat and barley? Think again. Join us on our beer discovery around Ghent, in Flanders, complete with canal-side sips, ancient cosy pubs, and a surprisingly inclusive vibe.

We didn't arrive in Ghent holding our breath; Belgium might be world famous for beers, but it's not exactly known for catering for coeliacs or gluten-free travellers. What we weren't expecting is for Ghent to surprise us in the best possible way. Whether you're strictly gluten-free, or just want to avoid the post pint bloat, we found spots serving up Belgian brews without the wheat and barley, plus cosy bars with friendly locals, and a huge heap of inclusivity.

So why does Ghent have such an awesome gluten-free food scene? Well, Ghent is a super progressive student city with a big international crowd. This mix has made the food scene more diverse and accommodating to different dietary needs. Besides being fantastic for those with gluten intolerances, Ghent is also known as 'the Vegetarian Capital of Europe,' leading the way in changing Belgian attitudes towards food. Here's how and where to sip safely - and deliciously - in Ghent.

Eclectic and Griet, I mean Great!

1. Dulle Griet - for a little Belgian eclecticism

   Slap bang in the middle of Ghent's biggest market square, Dulle Griet is a fantastic bar with literally hundreds of beers on the menu, including a number of gluten-free beers. While you won't be able to partake in the tradition of forfeiting a shoe in order to receive a yard of ale (but it's fun to watch everyone around you do so), you will be able to drink beers like Slaapmutske Flemish Kriek, a regional sour beer brewed using cherries, and Gruut Bruin, the local Ghent brewery who have switched all of their bottled brown ale to fully gluten-free as standard. The bar itself is all weird trinkets, tapestry covered walls, and crowded tables, but even surrounded by this much history we felt totally at home and comfortable as a couple within this space.

   
   

2. Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant - A canal-side tipple and watching the world go by

   If you only have time for one pint in Ghent, then make it here. Perched right on the water with picture-postcard views of the canal, this legendary beer house feels like stepping into a beer fantasy land with over 150 brews on the menu, with a great selection of proper gluten-free amongst the choice as well. We managed to score a crisp pilsner from Mongozo Brewery, the world's first organic, gluten-free, and fair trade brewery worldwide. The crowd here ranges from students to silver-haired philosophers and quietly queer friendly, and if you're unsure of what to drink, the staff were super clued up and useful. Snag a table just before sunset, and prepared to enjoy one of the liveliest, most photogenic spots in town.

   
   

   

   The Bierkant on the Canal

   
   

3. The Bottle Shop - for takeaway treasures

   Not a bar, but 100% worth including in the list. This place is a heaven for beer-lovers (gluten-free or otherwise). The owner knew exactly which bottles were safe for coeliacs, even pulling out a hidden shelf of GF-Trappist-style ales. We grabbed a few to enjoy back at our hotel, and on the canal-side at Korenlei with the finest view of Ghent (don't judge us), but if you are looking for great variety, this is definitely your spot. If you want a pro tip: bring your Google Translate if your Flemish is rusty, as some labels can be a little difficult to decipher without it.

   
   

Our favourite pour by far was Gruut Bruin. It's been a long time since I've had a proper brown beer, and at 7.5%, I couldn't have had many as I’m used to GF beers being around 4% and a little more sessionable. It was malty, sweet and smooth, and when accompanied with a view like those over Graslei, there are very few better ways to enjoy it.

Bruin with a view

Honestly, we didn't expect Ghent to be this easy - or this tasty - for gluten-free beer. It's no gluten-free capital yet, but it's certainly making in-roads, and with a bit of research and some friendly local recommendations, we found ourselves sipping on good Belgian beers without the stress or stomach-ache.

If you're coeliac or gluten-sensitive, always double-check whether the beer is certified gluten-free (not just gluten-removed), and don’t be afraid to ask - staff in Ghent were more informed than we expected. Phrases like “Is deze glutenvrij?” or simply pointing at the menu with a hopeful look worked just fine for us.

And remember: bring a translation card, scan bottles with a GF app, or stick to places like The Bottle Shop and Waterhuis that have clear labels and helpful teams.

Don't forget to check out our full city guide on Ghent, including what to see and do, and how inclusive we found it as a city. And if you've enjoyed this gluten-free beer guide, follow us on social media on @Biggayworldtravel for come queer-friendly and gluten free travel tips with a twist (of lime, of course).