This May, Cincinnati rides for more than just fun. We’re rallying together for a cause that’s close to our hearts – and our handlebars. At Taste of Belgium, we believe that the power of community, good food, and fantastic beer can unite people for incredible causes. That’s why we’re so excited to announce our collaboration with New Belgium Brewing to support Red Bike Cincinnati, our city’s favourite bike-sharing system, during Bike to Work Month.
Pedaling through the colorful streets of Cincinnati, building up an appetite, and then rewarding yourself with our world-famous Liège waffles paired with great craft beers. It’s the best combination of exercise, indulgence, and giving back. And the best part? Every sip and bite goes towards keeping wheels turning in our community!
And here’s the twist to make your ride even more awesome: our Red Velvet Waffle + Belgian Beer raffle goes all month. For every beer you sip, a donation contributes a chance to win some fun and flavorful prizes, like a New Belgium bike and a year’s supply of waffles and beer. Ride, refuel, and have the opportunity to take home the ultimate pairing.
The Cause: Who We’re Riding For
At the heart of our May fundraiser is Red Bike Cincinnati, a nonprofit cycling initiative that does more than just provide bikes – it transforms the way our community moves around, connects, and flourishes. As a locally owned business deeply rooted in Cincinnati, we know how crucial it is to support organizations that make our city more active, sustainable, and accessible to all.
Red Bike is more than just a bike-share program. It is a movement. Cincinnati’s station-based, nonprofit bike-share system, Red Bike, connects people to places and each other through reliable, affordable, and green transportation options. It serves parts of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with 700 bikes out of 70 stations.
Every time you indulge in one of our fresh-from-scratch dishes and a Belgian beer at our bistros this month, you’re not only pleasing your palate, you’re supporting a vital community resource that keeps Cincinnati moving forward.
Join the Ride: How to Participate with Red Bike Cincinnati
Ready to ride for a cause? Red Bike Cincinnati makes it simple. Climb aboard one of our group rides, taking pride throughout the month at trendy city hotspots such as OTR, Rookwood, and The Banks. Just pick up a pass at any Red Bike station, check the schedule, and pedal off – whether you’re a casual weekend rider or a committed cyclist, everyone’s invited on two wheels.
Riding during Bike to Work Week. Visit the 16th annual breakfast on the Purple People Bridge on Friday, May 16, for free coffee and regional breakfast fare – your morning commute has never tasted better.
And speaking of treats, refuel with a Taste of Belgium Red Bike Waffle—a fun twist on our Liège waffle that was previously featured on diners, drive-ins, and dives! Our fresh Red Velvet Belgian Waffles are available in three packs of four and are available in-store and online for nationwide shipping.
Bonus: When you buy a New Belgium beer at any Taste of Belgium location (OTR, Rookwood, or The Banks), you will automatically earn an entry into our Red Velvet Waffle + Belgian Beer raffle. Ride, treat yourself, and give yourself a better chance to win sweet and hoppy prizes!
Raffle Details: Win Red Velvet Waffles & Belgian Beer for a Year!
This is where the fun kicks into high gear! During May, we’re presenting a special raffle with prizes that will send any food and craft beer lover’s heart racing faster than a mountain cyclist.
How to Enter:
- Order any New Belgium beer at any Taste of Belgium bistro location
- Fill out a short entry form with your check number
- Each qualifying purchase equals one entry into our end-of-month raffle
What You Could Win:
- Grand Prize: A Fat Tire Mountain Bike, courtesy of New Belgium Brewing
- Additional Prizes: Red Bike memberships and Taste of Belgium gift cards
Remember, you must be 21 or older to play the raffle, and you can get in on it every time you stop by and order a New Belgium brew. It’s just the perfect excuse you need to try different pairings of our innovative menu items with Belgian beer options.
For those interested in supporting the cause beyond our bistros, we’re offering our limited edition Red Bike Waffle Packs – our tasty Red Velvet Belgian Waffles showcased on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. For every Red Bike Waffle Pack sold in our locations or online, we’ll make a donation of $2 to Red Bike Cincinnati. Send them to friends all over the country, and we’ll double the donation to $6 per order!
Where to Refuel: Ride Stops at Taste of Belgium Locations
Our bistros are perfectly positioned as excellent pit stops to serve you a taste during your biking excursion. Check out participating locations here:
- OTR: Our Over-the-Rhine location is the center of Cincinnati’s historic area
- Rookwood: An ideal halfway point for cyclists touring the eastern suburbs
- The Banks: Perfect for riverfront riders enjoying the Ohio River trails
As you ride in, we suggest these ideal post-ride treats:
- Red Velvet Waffles: Our special edition Red Bike Waffle Pack is a delicious version of our waffles featured on FOOD NETWORK’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
- Classic Waffle & Chicken: Our legendary waffle & chicken served with Ohio maple syrup, hot sauce, & blue cheese salad.
- Belgian Beer Samplers: Enjoy a variety of selected Belgian-inspired craft beers to complement your meal.
Don’t forget to snap with your bike and meals and tag us with #TasteofBelgium to tag us! We love to see the community come together around good food and great causes!
Why It Matters: Supporting Local, Staying Active
As a scratch kitchen where we make everything in-house fresh each day, at Taste of Belgium, we recognize the value of high-quality ingredients and procedures. Red Bike also offers quality transportation that promotes better health in our city, decongests our roads, and lowers our total carbon footprint.
Our dedication to the community runs deep in Cincinnati’s heritage. Since we first brought our innovative take on Liège waffles, we’ve alongside developed Cincinnati’s urban revival. The connection between cycling and our Belgian-inspired offerings isn’t coincidental – cycling culture runs deep in Belgium, where bikes outnumber people in some cities. By supporting Red Bike, we are combining two passions that shape our culinary heritage and our community connections.
When we combine cycling, community support, and the enjoyment of fresh food and dinner with Belgian beer, we create a recipe for a better Cincinnati. Our neighbors to the east may try to say their waffles are better (though we’d beg to differ about those fluffy imposters), but they can’t compete with our community spirit!
As Jason, a local Red Bike enthusiast, puts it: “There’s nothing better than concluding a bike ride through Cincinnati with friends and commemorating at Taste of Belgium. Knowing that our post-cycling indulgence supports the very bikes we have just ridden makes the waffles taste even sweeter!”
Ride, Refuel & Rally for Good
The Pedals & Pints initiative runs throughout the entire month of May, providing you with ample chances to get involved and contribute. Ride a Red Bike on any day in May, then stop by your preferred Taste of Belgium destination. While you’re there, raise a glass of New Belgium beer to automatically enter our raffle for a chance to win a Red Velvet Waffle + Belgian Beer prize pack.
Want to double down on the good? Buy a Red Bike Waffle Pack in-store or online and consider tossing in a donation of $2, $5, or $10 to your check via Toast to further support the cause. Every bite and buck brings bikes to more neighbors.
Mark your calendar for the end of May—we will announce our raffle winners on June 3, 2025. In the meantime, keep riding, keep enjoying our scratch-made food, and keep supporting your community. Pedal in, eat well, and raise a glass of Belgian beer to a great cause. Let’s make this May a month of impact, community, and connection—one bike ride and one waffle at a time.
