Belgian beer brewers are facing pressing challenges due to the increasing costs brought by the U.S. tariffs, along with fierce competition from a growing variety of beverage options.
The 25th Annual Belgian Beer Weekend was held in early September in Brussels' historic Grand Place, where more than 570 types of beers crafted by 57 Belgian brewers were exhibited. But brewers said U.S. tariffs are providing less reason for cheer this year.
"Of course, there will come price increases to be affordable still as a brewery to export to the United States. But then it's to be creative and see to which price point a consumer of the United States will buy the Belgian beers," said Michiel Clyncke, co-CEO of Kasteel Brewery Vanhonsebrouck, a time-honored brand that has been brewing unique specialty beers since 1811.
In 2024 alone nearly 4 billion dollars' worth of European beer flowed into the U.S.
Along with wine and spirits, the United States has served beer producers with a 15-percent export duty. And canned beers are feeling the effects of an additional 50 percent aluminum derivatives tariff.
But it's not just tariffs that are giving Belgian brewers a headache. According to the Belgian Brewers Association, beer consumption fell 2 percent last year and is down near 20 percent over the past decade.
Increased competition and wide-spread drinking in moderation are among the reasons why.
"You see that the offer has been expanding exponentially, so next to beer you have now a lot of aperitifs, cocktails, wine, spirits. So the choice and the offer has been really booming," said Krishan Maudgal, CEO of the Belgian Brewers' Association.
But producers are confident that the buzz for beer remains. Brussels Beer Project, another major beer brewery, have shifted its focus to the European market after the COVID-19 pandemic, largely shielding itself from the impact of U.S. duties.
Sebastien Morvan, co-founder of Brussels Beer Project, said the trend today is quality over quantity and a growing thirst for alcohol free offerings.
"We already sell one beer out of three alcohol free which is probably the biggest ratio for Belgian breweries. And that's something we are very proud of and that's something we want to keep working on," he said.
Belgian beer brewers impacted by US tariffs, diversifying beverage options
