The Achel Brewery has a special location and is actually located in 2 countries. While the gardens are nearly completely in The Netherlands, the buildings of the Abbey (including brewery) are over the border, in Belgium.

Achel is situated in the province Limburg (capital is Hasselt), but is also part of the region “De Kempen”. It is a rural area, with more sandy grounds and some woods. The area is great for biking, because there is (like in whole Flanders) a very well organised and clear biking network with numbers you just has to follow all the time (in Dutch:’fietsroutenetwerk’). Achel is quite close to Eindhoven (which has a small airport), but also not that far from Antwerp or Brussels.

The brewery in Achel is desolately not open to the public, but the Inn offers a view of the wort boilers. Sometimes you can also observe the production in the brewery from this place. Of course you can drink also some Achel from tap in the public cafe, together with one of the best cheeses in the world (Achel Cheese). It is the perfect rest stop if you are discovering the area by bike. The atmosphere in the public café is very relaxed and particular. For sure worth a visit!

If your visit is touristic, do not forget to shop for some souvenirs in the shop of the monks, where you can buy wide variety of cheese, beer, books, or cd’s.