Food & Beer Culture

What do people eat with beer in Limburg? First and foremost, vlaai, the round yeasted cake with fruit or rice filling found in every bakery in the province. Rijstevlaai with rice pudding and cherry vlaai belong on the coffee table, but they also pair well with a Pils after lunch, since the beer balances out the sweetness.

Things get heartier with Zuurvlees, a beef dish braised in vinegar and onions. The principle is familiar from sauerbraten: the acidity tenderizes the meat and gives the sauce bite. A dark, mild beer like Mestreechs Aajt rounds it all off nicely.

Maastricht is the region's beer city. Visitors will find specialized beer bars there with hundreds of bottles in the cellar, and the old town is small enough to explore its pubs on foot. Since 2018, the Stadsbrouwerij has also been serving Maltezer again, a Maastricht specialty beer considered the taste of the city.

Further east, in Kerkrade, stands Rolduc, the largest abbey complex in the Benelux countries. It's home to Limburg's only monastery brewery. This, too, reflects the proximity to Belgium and Germany: in this border triangle, beer cultures roll into one another, so that on any given street you might not even notice which country you've just entered.

In Limburg, beer is usually drunk from small glasses rather than big mugs, and preferably in good company on a terrace. Carnival is a major celebration in Limburg, and anyone experiencing it in February will encounter beer, brass bands and plenty of confetti. Moderation is part of the enjoyment.