Brouwerij van Hoegaarden (AB InBev)
Description
A historic document refers to the existence of a brewery in Hoegaarden back in 1318. Due to the fact that wheat was the main cereal crop of the area, a tradition of brewing cloudy white beer emerged. The brewers' trade expanded fast, in particular thanks to the village's special charter. While surrounding villages and towns such as Tienen had to pay high taxes and excise duties to the duke of Brabant for exporting their beer, the brewers from Hoegaarden were left alone by the prince bishop of Liège. The enclave was free to trade, both in Brabant and in Liège. Customs and excise duties did not apply to Hoegaarden.
In the first half of the 18th century, the brewer's trade in Hoegaarden experienced its golden era and the village boasted no fewer than 38 breweries by the year 1758! Thanks to the lucrative trade in white beer, the money kept rolling in. This is when the village of Hoegaarden got its lovely outlook and character, to be admired to this date.
Following the French Revolution, the brewer's village of Hoegaarden started to fall from power. Competition in the area increased due to improvements to the road system and the popularity of ale. Most of the breweries remained active up to the Second World War, however, but in 1937 only four remained. Brouwerij Loriers was the main one amongst these. This brewery produced, among other things, a very popular beer called "Hougaerdse Das". In the 1960s, however, this brewery closed down as well. The last cask of the typical old-style white beer had already been rolled out of the local Tomsin brewery a number of years before, back in 1957. This development had not been to the liking of one man, though: Tomsin's young neighbour, Pierre Celis. As local milkman Celis was like one of the family in the Tomsin house and during his spare time he used to help out at the brewery. When it closed its doors in 1957, young Pierre Celis decided it wouldn't be right to throw in the towel like that. After all, he had seen firsthand how the traditional white beer was brewed when he helped out at his neighbour's brewery.
So, on 13 March 1966, he presented his first brew. The result was extraordinary: Hoegaarden’s white beer had risen from the ashes. In 1985, however, faith struck a nasty blow. The brewery burnt down and there was no money to rebuild it.
The brewery and its beer were saved by the Artois brewery from Leuven, who decided to buy into the business and turn the Hoegaarden white beer into a global brand. At the end of the 1980s the brewery became part of the business concern Interbrew, today known as InBev. This expansion brought the "Hoegaarden Witbier" to where it is today. It is now sold in dozens of countries throughout the world, spreading the name of this village in Haspengouwen all over the world, from Australia to Canada.
Location
Hoegaarden – Vlaams-Brabant
Beers
• Hoegaarden Witbier (white beer)
Hoegaarden's white beer is the best-known beer from the Hoegaarden family of beers. To produce white beer the brewer uses wheat besides barley malt. It is this wheat that gives the beer its pale colour and cloudy outlook. Hoegaarden's white beer is unfiltered beer. That is why the beer remains cloudy and contains live yeast cells. The beer is flavoured with coriander and orange peel. They give the beer its pleasant fruity taste and refreshing character. With an alcohol content of 4.9% Hoegaarden white beer is a casual drinking beer, served locally in the well-known hexagonal glass.
• Hoegaarden Grand Cru
Hoegaarden Grand Cru is a gourmet beer with an alcohol content of 8.5%. It possesses a surprisingly subtle yet complex flavour as well as a powerful aroma. This cloudy, peach-coloured beer combines a smooth flavour with a well-balanced tartness.
• Hoegaarden Spéciale
The Hoegaarden Spéciale is related to the traditional Hoegaarden white beer but possesses special characteristics. Lightly roasted malt gives this beer a golden glow, a well-rounded flavour and a long-lasting aftertaste. The generous bulb jar in which it is traditionally served, does justice to its delicate aroma. Hoegaarden Spéciale has an alcohol content of 5.7% that will warm you up during the winter months. It is only available from October till the end of January.
• Hougaerdse Das
Hougaerdse Das has an amber colour and is unfiltered. That is why it has such a beautiful, cloudy outlook. This smooth drinking beer has an alcohol content of 5.1% and distinguishes itself through its distinctive aroma and character. The refreshing aftertaste is subtle.
• Verboden Vrucht
Verboden Vrucht is considered to be a gourmet beer. It is a top-fermented beer, with additional fermentation in the bottle, and possesses a spicy aroma of coriander. Verboden Vrucht is a full-bodied aromatic beer, with a hint of vanilla and chocolate. It tastes both sweet and dry, whereby the dry overtone will eventually prevail. Verboden Vrucht has an alcohol content of 8.5%.
Open Days
Open all year round, Tuesdays till Sundays from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m.
Last visit at 8 p.m.
Also open on bank holidays.
Our visitor centre (’t Wit Gebrouw) disposes of an easy access for disabled people.
No prior booking required.
Visiting Arrangements
Discover the secrets of the one and only Hoegaarden white beer by taking a look in “ 't Wit gebrouw”, the brewery's visitor centre. Get acquainted with its many legends and surprising pieces of information, stories, anecdotes and authentic brewing objects.
Experience the brewing process from the copper brew kettle, through to the stainless steel fermentation tank and up to the hectic bottling line. Taste and smell the aroma of the natural ingredients. Walk through the warm zone and experience the cool zone in the modern-day brewery.
Check out and enjoy the most memorable advertising campaigns of years gone by.
Prepare to be astounded by the international success of this local white beer, originating from this small Belgian village.
Enjoy the collection of funny beer coasters specifically designed for our genuine "white beer".
It goes without saying that a guided tour of the facilities is to be rounded off with a wonderful glass of Hoegaarden white beer in the Kouterhof pub. Visitor centre: 't Wit Gebrouw - www.twitgebrouw.be.
Admission fee
€6 per person, including beer tasting and personal gift!
Children under the age of 12 admitted for free, provided they are accompanied by an adult.
Address
Stoopkensstraat 24A - 3320 Hoegaarden
Telephone
Tel. +32 (0)16-76 74 33
Food pairing information / Recipes
Yes, available on the website www.twitgebrouw.be.
Sample recipe: Chicken filets with Hoegaarden
Ingredients
4 chicken filets
butter
1 onion
garlic
celery
thyme
bay leaf
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 bottle of Hoegaarden white beer
2 tomatoes
100 grams of lean bacon
200 grams of shallots
250 grams of mushrooms
parsley
pepper and salt
Preparation
Season the chicken filets and fry them off in hot butter. Remove them from the frying pan and transfer them to a dish.
Now add the sliced onion, garlic and celery to the frying pan you used for the chicken filets. Simmer till soft.
Add the stewed vegetables to the chicken, add the herbs and spices as well as the content of the bottle of Hoegaarden. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes and then add the cubed tomatoes.
Remove the meat from the pan and keep it warm. Leave the cooking liquid to thicken on the hob while you fry off the bacon, shallots and mushrooms. Transfer the chicken filets to the individual plates. Pour some sauce over each filet and add some bacon, shallots and mushrooms. Finish off with a sprinkle of parsley!
Extra offers as part of the promotional campaign "Best of Beer in Flanders".
Overnight stays and visiting arrangements "Kom witbieren in Hoegaarden".