Brewery De Brabandere: a family run business.

Today, four generations since its establishment, the brewery is still a family run business and is now known as Brouwerij De Brabandere. Despite the many take-overs and the fusions in the beer sector, we wish to safeguard our independency in order to assure the quality and the regional identity. As one of the largest independent breweries in Belgium, we wish to continue working in the future to maintain our beer culture.

Interview with Albert De Brabandere, CEO of Brouwerij de Brabandere

What is your role and what does it involve?

Since this summer I’m CEO and main shareholder of the family company, Brouwerij De Brabandere. This involves the general daily management and strategic development of the brewery.

Before that time I was (in chronological order Marketing Manager, Retail Manager and Export Manager)

What is your first memory of the family business?

Working as a jobstudent when I was 8 years old. Filling up empty crates with new bottles (all automated since this year). Off course there we’re also the early degustation moments with my father where he introduced me in the world of Belgian degustation beers.

Why did the brewery name change from Bavik to De Brabandere?

Brouwerij De Brabandere was the original name of the brewery back in 1894. My father changed the name in 1990 to Bavik Brewery (referring to our best sold beer) because of a split between real estate and production business.

When I started in the brewery (2013) I directly proposed my father to change back to the original name because of the fact that we sell a lot more specialty beers than just our Bavik Super Pils.

While celebrating the 120th anniversary of the brewery in 2014 we launched the name change and new logo, together with the values we stand for:

–          Passion driven people

–          Value driven authenticity

–          Quality driven innovation

If you had to choose, what is your favorite De Brabandere beer and why?

It’s always difficult to choose between your children and every beer has it’s occasion. If I had to make a selection:

–          Bavik Super Pils as a thirst quencher – being the only unpasteurised Belgian pilsner

–          Petrus Aged Pale, a summum of craftsmanship of foeder aged beer. Requested on the market by Michaël Jackson due to it’s complexity and purity.

–          Kwaremont, developed as the true beer for cyclists (my favourite sport)

–          1894 and or Wittekerke Wild, both combinations of traditional beer styles (Tripel and Wit) infused with the microflora from our foeders.

What is you inspiration for the new beers being crafted at the brewery?

Taking our view on traditional beers styles under the name, Petrus Brewmasters’ Selection. Each brewmaster may develop 1 new beer based on our core values.

Bavik Super Pils

Petrus Aged Pale

Kwaremont

Wittekerke Wild