Unesco recognition for Belgium's beer culture?

The culture ministers of Belgium’s three Language Communities have submitted a joint application to Unesco requesting that Belgium’s beer culture be recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The application was completed with the help of the Belgian Brewers federation and the input of several beer-related associations, including the International Trappist Association and the High Council of Artisanal Lambic Beers.

Although the number of Belgian beers on the market has always been more of a guestimate than an exact figure, the ministers claim there are more than 1,000, including “the largest selection of authentic, locally produced beers of any country in the world,” they said in a joint statement. “This unbelievable diversity in terms of colour, taste and production methods makes up a huge part of the pride taken in our cultural and gastronomic heritage.”

Should Unesco approve the request, which will be decided next year, beer culture would join several other recognised cultural heritage in Belgium, including the Binche and Aalst carnivals, the shrimp fishers of Oostduinkerke and the Holy Blood Procession in Bruges.

www.unesco-vlaanderen.be