How a two mile pipe carries beer benath the streets of Bruges

The Belgian city of Bruges has a two mile long pipe transporting beer running beneath its streets
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Bruges is a charming medieval city in Belgium known for its cobblestone streets, picturesque canals, historic architecture… and a two-mile pipe which transports beer beneath the city.

This unique piece of infrastructure has captured the imagination of beer lovers and tourists alike. It combines Belgium’s deep-rooted beer culture with modern engineering in a way few cities can match.

Regular readers of PipeRepair.co.uk will know that if there is one thing our team likes almost as much as pipework, it is beer.

It was therefore impossible to resist writing all about the Bruges beer pipe.

The origins of Bruges two mile beer pipe

Bruges is no stranger to beer. Belgium has a long history of brewing, with dozens of renowned breweries scattered throughout the country.

The beer pipe was born out of a desire to connect a famous local brewery with the rest of the city in a more efficient way.

De Halve Maan is a family-owned brewery dating back to 1856. 150 years later and large trucks were driving beer from the brewery to the bottling factory at a separate site two miles away.

These trucks had to pass through the narrow and crowed streets of Bruges. They caused serious congestion and posed environmental concerns.

So in 2016, De Halve Maan announced plans to build a solution to these logistical problems. The idea was simple yet ambitious: create a pipe that would transport beer directly from the brewery to the bottling facility on the outskirts of Bruges.

How the two mile beer pipe works

The De Halve Maan beer pipe spans two miles from the heart of Bruges to an industrial area just outside the city. It is made from food-grade stainless steel, ensuring the beer remains uncontaminated during its journey.

With stainless steel having a lifespan of up to 50 years, it means that the beer pipe is unlikely to require alcohol line repair anytime soon.

A combination of air pressure and gravity moves the beer from the brewery to its destination. The pipe can transport up to 6,000 litres of beer per hour. With a steady flow, the beer travels at an impressive speed.

As the beer is moved through the pipeline, it is cooled and kept under careful control to ensure it reaches the bottling facility in optimal condition.

Environmental and economic benefits of the Bruges beer pipe

Whilst the Bruges beer pipe might seem like a quirky novelty, it serves several practical purposes. First, it reduces traffic congestion in the medieval city centre.

The cobble streets of Bruges were not designed for the volume of traffic they now handle, from tourists to delivery trucks.

By diverting deliveries away from the streets, the pipeline minimises pollution and noise in the historic area of Bruges.

Secondly, it saves time and money for De Halve Maan by eliminating the need to pay for trucks, fuel and drivers to transport beer across the city.

The pipeline has been hailed as a win for both the environment and the economy, as it contributes to smoother operations and a smaller carbon footprint.

A tourist attraction and a cultural icon

Though the beer pipeline was designed primarily for efficiency, it has also become a fun and unique tourist attraction.

Visitors to Bruges are often fascinated by the concept of beer travelling beneath the streets where they are standing.

The pipe even passes under the city’s famous canals, with those enjoying a trip on a narrowboat often unaware there is beer below the water.

Brewery tours at De Halve Maan were already a popular activity for visitors to Bruges. They have become even more so since the beer pipe went into operation.

Visitors learn about the beer making process, the history of the brewery and the technical aspects of the beer pipeline.

The pipeline has become a focal point of the tour, with some even lucky enough to watch as the beer flows through the pipe in real time.

A symbol of Bruges’ centuries old brewing heritage

Since its completion, the beer pipeline has proven to be a great success. It not only solved logistical challenges for De Halve Maan but also helped solidify Bruges’ reputation as a city that blends tradition with innovation.

The ongoing commitment to sustainability and local traditions from De Halve Maan has made the pipeline a symbol of Belgium’s unique beer culture.

It speaks to the deep connection between the people of Bruges and their centuries old brewing heritage. As more visitors flock to Bruges to experience this fascinating piece of infrastructure, the two-mile beer pipe will undoubtedly remain a must-see part of the city’s growing beer tourism scene.

In a world where technology and tradition often seem at odds, the beer pipeline offers a delightful example of how the two can coexist in harmony.

From its practical benefits to its status as a quirky tourist attraction, this Belgian engineering feat has become a beloved part of the city landscape. It has helped cement Bruges’ reputation as a global beer capital.

Whether you are a beer enthusiast, curios traveller, have a liking for pipelines or tick all three of those boxes, the beer pipeline is a must-see in the heart of Bruges.


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