Brussels Airlines has begun serving beers from Flemish Brabant on long-haul flights. Passengers can order regional beers with their meal, including nine lambics such as geuze from the 3 Fonteinen brewery. The menu is the brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Glenn Verhasselt, who provides the airline’s business class meals.
Culture
Brussels Airlines serves regional beers for the first time
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Verhasselt, chef at the two-star restaurant Sir Kwinten in Lennik, has been the Brussels Airlines chef since the beginning of this year. He worked with beer sommelier Sofie Vanrafelghem to select 12 traditionally brewed Flemish Brabant beers, including nine kriek and geuze varieties from the Pajottenland and the Zenne Valley.
Gueuze Extra from Hanssens Geuze Brewery in Dworp is also on the list. “For the first time in aviation history, traditional geuze is being served on board an aeroplane. This is very special for us,” says John Matthys of Hannens Brewery. “We are very pleased that chef Verhasselt has chosen our beer.”
It’s extra special that our beer is now being served at an altitude of 12,000 metres
There is another reason this is special for the brewery: “I’ve always been involved in the aviation sector,” says Matthys. “I was an air traffic controller for many years, working in the tower at Zaventem. So it’s extra special that our beer is now being served at an altitude of 12,000 metres.”
The other beers served are Gronckel Blond from Vrijstaat Vanmol, Boon Oude Geuze Mariage Parfait, Oude Kriek Oud Beersel, the grape lambic Muscar-Elle from Lambiek Fabriek, Oude Geuze Cuvée Armand & Gaston and Pruim Mirabelle from 3 Fonteinen, Timmermans Oude Gueuze and Chouke from Belgoo. There are also three regional beers: Cornet from the Palm brewery, Alpaïde from ‘t Nieuwhuys and Saison from Hof ten Dormaal.