Podge’s Belgian Beer Tours

forthcoming tours

Podge’s Belgian Beer Tours was founded by Podge, aka Chris Pollard in 1994 and is now run by his wife, co-beer-writer and co-traveller for thirty years, Siobhan McGinn. Podge was famous for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Belgian beers, breweries and culture, but Siobhan was never far behind him. On a recent Tour one traveller was overheard saying to a fellow traveller ‘Siobhan – she knows her stuff’. She and Podge travelled in Belgium for almost thirty years, first alone, then with Tours and visited hundreds of Belgian breweries and probably thousands of cafes.

Podge & Siobhan at Leuven Innovation Festival 2016.

As well as a Belgian beer expert, Siobhan is a historian and an expert on beer in the First World War in Flanders. She has a Master’s degree from Birmingham University in First World War Studies (2014). Siobhan personally conducts each Tour and loves to tell travellers on the coach microphone about Belgian culture, cow breeds, Flemish dog carts and the meaning of obscure Flemish road signs. Given that Siobhan also has a degree in English Law, another two Masters degrees in Victorian Studies and English Literature and is an Egyptologist, she is rarely short of subjects to talk about! You need a vacation. You need a beer. You need a beercation. Come and join us on one of the following great tours. We have pick up and drop off points in Suffolk, Essex and Kent as can be viewed on our joining points for Podge's Belgian Beer Tours Map.

Christmas in Gent Tour 2025

Tuesday 23 December 2025 - Saturday 27 December 2025

We have been taking groups of Belgian beer lovers to Belgium for years - it's a great way to spend Christmas, especially for solo travellers! Join us. Read more.

The Belgian Family Brewery Tour

Wednesday 18 March - Sunday 22 March 2026

This Tour explores the quality and traditional beers of the Belgian Family Brewers Association's 21 special members. We are based in the excellent beer city of Kortrijk and we stay for four nights at the luxurious Park Hotel, with the best breakfasts not only in Belgium, but probably in the world. Plenty of quality Belgian beer and history galore on this newly designed Tour. Join us. Read more.

Toer de Geuze & LambicLand 2026

Thursday 07 May - Monday 11 May 2026

This is our classic tour exploring the world's most complex beers, the lambic beers of the Zenne Valley, west of Brussels. It is a five day, four night Tour guided by Siobhan McGinn, co-writer with her husband Podge and Tim Webb of the definitive book LambicLand (2004, 2010). All from the comfort of our luxury 49 seater coach. Join us. Read more.

Beer & Battlefields - Dunkirk 1940

Wednesday 24 June - Sunday 28 June 2026

This is a brilliant new Tour combining Beer & Battlefields, with a difference. We are moving from WW1 in Belgium to WW2 in France. This five day, four night Tour is based at the four star Hotel Mercure Dunkerque**** and guided by Siobhan McGinn. Join us. Read more.

The Great Triennial Poperinge Beer & Hop Festival Tour

Thursday 17 September - Monday 21 September 2026

This is a super Autumn Belgian Beer Tour featuring a visit to the Triennial Poperinge Beer & Hop Festival. This five day, four night Tour is based at the four star Novotel**** in Ypres, a brilliant beer city and a stone's throw from Poperinge, where it's all happening! Join us. Read more.

Questions?

Questions?

---

Tour archive

Browse past tours here. You can also browse previous tours on our old website here.