Beer and waffles, all in one room.

This Ghent workshop pairs a guided Belgian beer tasting with hands-on waffle-making, hosted by lively instructors like Reuben and Thomas (with others such as Luk, Anna, and Patty also leading sessions). You start by sampling Belgian beers while learning what makes each one distinct, then you use your pick of brew to flavor the batter.

I also like the payoff: you bake your own waffles and pile on toppings like chocolate sauce, speculoos, and whipped cream, with the freedom to eat as many as you make. One thing to think about is the alcohol rule, since tasting is tied to age, so the experience can feel different if your group includes people under 18, even though non-alcoholic options are available.

Key highlights I’d plan around

• Beer-to-batter choice: pick the beer you want and pour it into your waffle batter for a real flavor twist.
• Hands-on stations with partner work: you roll up your sleeves, not just watch.
• You eat what you bake: make multiple waffles and keep the plate coming.
• Topping bar energy: chocolate sauce, speculoos spread, whipped cream, icing sugar, and more.
• Non-alcoholic and gluten-free paths: you can choose non-alcoholic or gluten-free alternatives during the workshop.
• Take-home extras: a secret recipe, a graduation certificate, and even leftovers to enjoy later.

Beer-first flavor choices in Ghent, then waffles

This is the kind of experience that saves you effort later. Instead of just tasting Belgium, you build flavor into the thing you eat. The format is simple: you start with a beer tasting, then you carry what you learned into the batter.

The whole workshop runs 90 minutes. That timing matters. It is long enough to learn the basics, mix batter, bake, and decorate, but short enough that you do not need to restructure your entire day around it. In practice, it feels like a friendly reset from walking and sightseeing, because your hands stay busy the whole time.

Your beer tasting: what you learn and how it guides your waffle

You begin with a tasting of three Belgian specialty beers. The host explains each beer’s character, and the idea is not to overwhelm you with brewing theory. It is more practical than that. You are tasting with a purpose: deciding which beer you want to use in your waffles.

A big plus here is the relaxed vibe around drinking. Some hosts actively check whether anyone wants to taste beer, and non-alcoholic alternatives are offered if needed. So even if you are not sure you want alcohol, you are not stuck sitting politely while everyone else enjoys the tasting.

One detail I think you’ll appreciate is the attention to pairing. You do not just drink beer. You use the beer you like as an ingredient later. That turns the tasting into a taste lesson you can reproduce at home.

Mixing and baking: what happens at the cooking stations

After the tasting, you move into the waffle-making part. You team up with a partner and work at stations where the host guides you step by step. This matters if you worry about cooking classes being vague or chaotic. The way the workshop is structured is meant to keep you moving in the right order: mix, wait for the batter to rest, bake, then decorate.

You also get choice. The workshop is set up so you can go with the beer-infused batter if you want, or switch to a non-alcoholic or gluten-free alternative. That flexibility is rare for food workshops that center on a specific ingredient.

Plan on actually doing the cooking. You are mixing batter, operating the baking process, and making your own waffles from scratch. And because the workshop is built around repeat batches, you get enough time to get comfortable with the rhythm, instead of making one sad waffle and moving on.

Decorating like it is a Belgian dessert experiment

Once your waffles come out, the best part kicks in: toppings. You can add chocolate sauce, speculoos, whipped cream, and other options, and the goal is freedom, not rules.

This part is more than decoration. It changes the whole experience depending on what you like:

• If you love deep, sweet flavors, go heavier on chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
• If you are into spiced, caramel-like Belgian flavors, speculoos spread is a must-try.
• If you want a lighter finish, icing sugar is an easy win.

Also, you can eat as many waffles as you want. That is not just marketing. In this format, people tend to make a couple of batches, then “upgrade” their later waffles with better topping combinations. You get to experiment without feeling like you wasted one attempt.

What you take home: recipe, certificate, and leftovers

Most cooking classes give you a memory. This one gives you tools.

You take home:

• a secret recipe
• a graduation certificate
• your leftovers

Why that matters: you can recreate the flavor at home, especially the part you can actually control, your batter choice based on the beer you liked. The recipe helps you repeat the method, and the leftovers mean you can avoid the worst problem with classes like this, the drive home hungry.

Some sessions also include a keepsake apron in addition to the certificate, which is a nice practical souvenir if you like having something tangible from the activity.

Finding the meeting point in Ghent is easier than it sounds

You meet at a tall white building with a big green wooden door. In many cases, the door is already open. If it is not, you can push it open, or tap on a left-side window so the host notices and opens up.

Once you enter, take the small steps upstairs. The workshop entrance is the first door on the left. The host is there waiting for you, so you are not left wandering around trying to match a logo to a street.

If you are arriving on foot, give yourself a few extra minutes. Ghent centers can be charming and slightly labyrinth-like, and you want to walk in relaxed, not late.

Price and value: is $55 worth it?

At $55 per person for 90 minutes, the value depends on how you plan to use the experience.

Here is the practical math to consider:

• You are paying for two real activities in one: beer tasting plus hands-on waffle-making.
• You get ingredients and cooking materials included.
• You can eat as many waffles as you want.
• You leave with a secret recipe and a certificate, which adds real reuse value for later.

So if you are hungry, like trying multiple things, and enjoy the idea of making your own waffles, the price starts to make sense quickly. If your group does not drink alcohol, you are not out of options because non-alcoholic drinks and alternatives are available, but you may want to focus on getting the full value from the waffle part and the toppings.

One more consideration: because portion size is generous, the workshop works best when you show up ready to eat. If you plan to snack lightly beforehand, you will probably feel more satisfied after.

Who this workshop suits best (and who might skip it)

This is a strong fit if you:

• like Belgian food culture, especially when you get to make it yourself
• want a fun couple activity or a small group activity with conversation built in
• enjoy beer, or at least enjoy the idea of using beer as an ingredient
• want a guided, step-by-step cooking experience in English

It is also a smart choice if you are picky about dietary options. The workshop setup includes room for gluten-free and non-alcoholic alternatives, which reduces the risk of ending up with just bread rolls and polite watching.

You might skip this if you:

• hate cooking classes or prefer purely sightseeing activities
• expect a totally silent, no-pressure experience. This one is social by design, and it moves at a comfortable but active pace

Quick FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Ghent waffles and beer workshop?

It runs for 90 minutes.

What’s included with the beer tasting?

You taste three Belgian specialty beers during the workshop.

Can minors participate?

Minors under 18 can join, but alcoholic drinks are only served to participants 18 and older. Participants under 18 are served non-alcoholic drinks. Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 basis.

Is there a non-alcoholic option?

Yes. The workshop includes the option for a non-alcoholic alternative during the waffle-making part.

Is the workshop gluten-free friendly?

Yes. You can choose a gluten-free alternative as part of the waffle-making experience.

Where exactly do I meet in Ghent?

Look for a tall white building with a big green wooden door. Take the small steps upstairs, then enter the first door on the left.

Is transport included?

No, transport is not included.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the workshop is wheelchair accessible.

Should you book it?

I think this workshop is a great booking decision if you want an authentic taste of Belgium that goes beyond “try a waffle and move on.” The combination of beer tasting plus cooking, the free choice you get for batter and toppings, and the fact that you take home the secret recipe make it feel like more than a one-hour snack stop.

If your group includes non-drinkers or gluten-free needs, it is still worth considering because the workshop is designed to offer alternatives. Just go in with the right mindset: you are here to cook, eat, and have a guided Belgian food experience in a social setting.