Hoegaarden Brewery

Belgian brewery known for its wheat beer

The logo of Hoegaarden Brewery

The Hoegaarden Brewery is a renowned Belgian brewery located in the village of Hoegaarden, in the province of Flemish Brabant. It is famous for its production of wheat beer, particularly the Hoegaarden Witbier, which is a traditional Belgian white beer.

History

The history of brewing in Hoegaarden dates back to the early 15th century, when the village was known for its beer production. The modern Hoegaarden Brewery was established in 1966 by Pierre Celis, a milkman who revived the traditional style of witbier that had nearly disappeared from the region.

In the 1950s, the last traditional witbier brewery in Hoegaarden closed its doors, but Celis, who had worked there as a young man, decided to bring back the style. He started brewing in his hayloft, using the traditional recipe that included coriander and orange peel.

Acquisition and Expansion

In 1985, a fire destroyed the original brewery, but with the help of other brewers, Celis rebuilt it. In 1987, the brewery was sold to Interbrew, which later became part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, one of the largest brewing companies in the world. Under the new ownership, Hoegaarden's production expanded significantly, and the beer became popular internationally.

Production

A glass of Hoegaarden Witbier

Hoegaarden Brewery is best known for its Hoegaarden Witbier, a pale, cloudy beer with a distinctive taste. The cloudiness comes from the use of unmalted wheat and the presence of yeast in the beer. The flavor is characterized by a light, refreshing taste with hints of citrus and spice, due to the addition of coriander and orange peel during the brewing process.

The brewery also produces other varieties of beer, including the Hoegaarden Rosée, a fruit beer with raspberry flavors, and the Hoegaarden Grand Cru, a stronger, more complex version of the witbier.

Cultural Impact

Hoegaarden has become synonymous with Belgian witbier and is often credited with popularizing the style worldwide. The beer is typically served in a distinctive hexagonal glass, which is designed to enhance the drinking experience by allowing the aromas to concentrate at the top of the glass.

Related pages

• Wheat beer
• Belgian beer
• Anheuser-Busch InBev

Hoegaarden Verboden Vrucht and glass

See also

• List of breweries in Belgium
• Beer in Belgium