Hopfen & Herz Festival

Beer with Heart – The Festival in Herzogenrath

Right in the middle of Ferdinand-Schmetz-Platz, Herzogenrath's central square, the city center transforms into an open beer and delicacy market on a Friday in June. Culinary diversity meets artisanal brewing art for a weekend of indulgence that attracts both the Aachen region and the tri-border area of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Beers from Four Countries

The festival presents an international beer selection: craft beers from Germany (Aachen, Cologne, Düsseldorf), Belgian classics from Wallonia and Flanders, Mexican craft beers, and Spanish specialties. More than 30 different varieties await tasting – from hoppy IPAs to dark Belgian Dubbels.

Cocktails and Frozen Aperol

For those who prefer something other than just beer, there's a cocktail bar with classics and summery original creations. Frozen Aperol, homemade lemonades, and non-alcoholic mocktails complement the drink offerings. A separate sparkling wine stand offers Cremants and Champagnes.

Street Food Journey

The culinary spectrum ranges from Italian bruschetta to pizza, tarte flambée, corn dogs, and Mexican tacos and Belgian fries. All dishes come from regional producers or selected food trucks from the tri-border area.

DJs and Live Music

DJs and live bands play on all three festival evenings. The music program ranges from acoustic sets in the early evening to danceable sounds after dark. The atmosphere is casual, with a mixed audience from young adults to families with grown children.

Stadtmarketing Herzogenrath as Organizer

The festival is organized by Stadtmarketing Herzogenrath e.V. in collaboration with breweries and the city. It is part of the concept to establish Ferdinand-Schmetz-Platz as an event location and to position Herzogenrath as a regional gourmet destination. The third edition in 2026 builds on the success of 2024 and 2025.

Herzogenrath – Tri-Border Area

Herzogenrath is located directly on the Dutch border (Kerkrade), just 10 km north of Aachen. The city shares the unique Eurode identity with Kerkrade – a cross-border urban area with shared infrastructure. The Hopfen & Herz Festival benefits from this location: Belgian, Dutch, and German visitors mingle.