UNESCO Recognizes Beer Culture in Belgium

On November 30, 2016, UNESCO inscribed “Beer culture in Belgium” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition concerned the knowledge, skills, customs, and social practices surrounding the production and appreciation of beer throughout Belgium, rather than any single brewery, beer style, or product. UNESCO highlighted beer’s place in daily and festive life, the transmission of brewing knowledge, regional diversity, food pairing and cooking, community organizations, and efforts to encourage responsible consumption. The inscription recognized Belgian beer culture as a living and evolving cultural practice shared by brewers, hospitality workers, educators, associations, and consumers. It was an intangible-cultural-heritage designation, not inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.