Monthermé Beer Festival

Craft Beers by the Meuse

The Monthermé Beer Festival brings together craft beer enthusiasts every May on the Quai Aristide Briand, at the town's Port de Plaisance. In a picturesque setting by the Meuse, surrounded by the forests and Ardennes schist cliffs, the event offers a tasting of beers from local and regional craft breweries. Admission is completely free, giving everyone the opportunity to discover the brewing richness of the Ardennes.

A Millennial Brewing Heritage

Monthermé has an ancient connection to beer. The oldest traces of brewing in the Ardennes date back to the 12th century, at the Abbaye de Laval-Dieu, located in Monthermé itself. Cistercian monks were brewing beer there as early as 1216, and this tradition continued until the French Revolution. Since 1997, the buildings of the abbey farm have once again hosted brewing activities. The Brasserie de Monthermé, created more recently with its flagship beer La Baraquine (a Triple), participates in each edition of the festival, perpetuating this centuries-old tradition with a resolutely artisanal and local approach.

Concerts and Entertainment by the Water

The festival is enlivened by concerts from local bands performing throughout the day, adding musical ambiance to the tasting. Light catering stands offer accompaniments to the beers: Ardennes charcuterie and cheese platters, grills, and other regional specialties. The atmosphere is decidedly friendly and family-oriented, with a crowd mixing discerning craft beer lovers and curious visitors enjoying a beautiful day by the Meuse.

In the Heart of the Meuse Valley

Monthermé occupies an exceptional position in the Meuse loop, at the confluence of the Meuse and Semoy rivers, surrounded by dense forests and impressive cliffs. The Beer Festival allows visitors to enjoy this remarkable natural setting while discovering local Ardennes products. The event is part of the initiative to promote Ardennes craft beers, a booming brewing region with many independent breweries perpetuating and renewing the region's brewing tradition.