Hi Martin. Wow. That’s sad to hear. I’ll mention this to JVR next time I go down to the brewery!

It is a great festival. They do have locations around the world, so maybe there’s one near where you’ll be?

Hi Jestine – 2016 locations have been announced and I’ve updated the post with them. Same locations in Belgium as last year.

Hi Jestine,
While the October 1 date has been announced, the brewery has not yet published the list of locations yet. FOr the past three years that I have gone, in Brussels, both Moeder Lambic Fontainas and Moeder Lambic Saint Gilles have hosted Zwanze Day events. Moeder Lambic Fontainas is “Zwanze Central”, where Jean van Roy and the Cantillon crew all come to tap the first keg and drink the beer as well. One major difference with Zwanze Day in Brussels vs. other places is that in Brussels, Moeder Lambic has not really pre-sold Zwanze tickets, unless you try during the week leading up to the event, in person. Three years ago I just showed up and bought a ticket. Two years ago I called a few days in advance and asked if they could hold a ticket for me, which they were willing to do (though no formal system for this) and when I arrived, I bought my ticket no problem, and was even able to buy a second taste. Last year, I showed up day-of and they had already sold out of tickets for their keg! They indicated Saint-Gilles had tickets remaining, but also to check back closer to 5PM, as they may be getting a second keg, which they did and I was able to get a ticket then.

If you’re in Brussels for Zwanze Day this year, I’d suggest to try to buy a ticket at Moeder Lambic Fontainas as soon as you arrive in town. I plan to check on August 13 when I’m next in Brussels if they plan to do any pre-sales this year, otherwise I will plan to give them a call to see if they can hold tickets for me when the date is closer. Hope to see you there!

I’m really looking forward to this year’s Zwanze 2016. It’s expected to be a fruity lambic based on raspberries and blueberries, with some added natural vanilla to temper the tartness.

My husband and I will be visiting Brussels around that time and would LOVE to attend one of these events in that area!

Thanks!

Hi Brett,

Thanks for your answer!
I will try to get a ticket on the 19th!

Greetings,

Rob

Hi Rob,

I went to Moeder Lambic yesterday and asked about tickets, they mentioned they will only start selling them on the 12th of September, 2015.

Last year, I had called a couple times to reserve in advance, and it was also only a few days before that they went on sale. I was able to have them reserve a ticket for me last year that I was able to pick up and pay when I arrived. In each of the past two years when I was there, most people just bought their tickets on Zwanze Day itself!

I’m thinking of going again this year. Just note: Sunday the 20th is a car-free Sunday in Brussels, so if you’re driving and spending the night, you aren’t supposed to have a car in the city at all on Sunday. If you do and need to drive home, make sure you have a printed receipt for your hotel stay to avoid a police fine.