Since 1765, our brewery has woven an unbreakable bond between the terroir of Loppem and the heart of Bruges. Dive into over two centuries of passion and unique brewing expertise.
Discover our story
1765
Long before beer became a Bruges icon, everything began on a farm in Loppem. Pierre-Jacques Van Houtryve laid the first stone of a family craft that would span centuries and generations.
1825 - 1908
In 1825, the son of brewer Corneille IV Van Houtryve thought big and set his sights on Bruges where his request for the establishment of the Den Os brewery was approved. Since then, the brewery has been operated in respect of traditions by his eldest son. After Corneille, Liévin Van Houtryve took over, after which Oscar Van Houtryve would pass the Den Os brewery on to Jean Van Houtryve.
1908 - 1957
Oscar Van Houtryve acquired the La Marine brewery in Wollestraat for his son, Etienne Van Houtryve, who brewed there until 1921. Etienne briefly indulged in the production of Bourgogne des Flandres, just like his brother. Thus, beer was brewed in two different locations in the centre of Bruges. Today, only the cellars of 't Bourgondisch Cruyce betray the brewing activity of yesteryear.
In 1911, Bourgogne des Flandres was registered with the Commercial Court of Bruges.
In 1913, while Oscar Van Houtryve had already gifted a brewery to his two sons, the husband of his daughter Hélène also receives his own brewery. Albert Van Caillie thus becomes the last brewer in De Sterre/Ten Ezele, a brewery whose history dates back to 1415.
The De Sterre/Ten Ezele Brewery closes its doors under the management of Albert Van Caillie in 1952. He brewed the Phenix beer there.
1957 - 1993
In 1957, the Den Os brewery lays down the fork. With the advent of German pilsners and the subsequent damage from the two world wars, it becomes difficult to survive by brewing special beers. The Den Os Brewery was known for the Double, the Triple, the Uytzet, the white from Pitthem, and the Bourgogne des Flandres. But this does not mark the end of the Bourgogne des Flandres. Michel Van Houtryve may no longer have a brewery, but under his supervision, the family recipe was perpetuated by various breweries over the years.
In 1985, Michel Van Houtryve has the Bourgogne des Flandres brewed by the Timmermans Brewery in Itterbeek, near Brussels, where lambic plays an essential role in the brewing process.
1993
In 1993, John Martin, the oldest distributor of Guinness, well known for his Martin's Pale Ale in Antwerp, takes over the Timmermans Brewery. This is how the Bourgogne des Flandres joins the Martin's Finest Beer Selection, along with other classics.
Work on a new microbrewery in Bruges begins in Kartuizerinnenstraat, just 50 meters from the old La Marine brewery. It is here that the Bourgogne des Flandres will be brewed again.
2015 - today
In 2015, after 58 years of absence, the loop is closed: the Bourgogne des Flandres is once again brewed in the centre of Bruges, in Kartuizerinnenstraat.
Today, the brewery is a place unmissable and modern, offering visitors an immersion in its unique brewing, in the heart of Bruges and just a few metres from its historical sites of origin.