Breweries
Timmermans - Bourgogne Des Flandres - Waterloo
Timmermans (founded in 1702), is a lambic brewery located in Itterbeek (Dilbeek). It is the oldest lambic brewery in the country. Sample the Timmermans Oude Lambic, matured for two years in barrels that used to contain port. A freshly sour, fruit beer with aromas of truffles and a mild hint of vanilla, impressions of smoky oak and the fresh but bitter finish that is typical of a lambic. Lambic is the underlying beer for gueuze, kriek and many fruit beers. Let yourself be surprised by the rich aromas and the complex character of this – often underestimated – beer that forms the basis of so many others. Lambic is also warmly recommended as an aperitif.
Up to 1957 Bourgogne des Flandres was brewed in Bruges. In recent years, Bourgogne des Flandres was produced by Timmermans but this year the beer has returned to the Venice of the North. Bourgogne des Flandres is now produced once again in a brand new microbrewery in Bruges. This red-brown beer from West Flanders is a blend of a top-fermented brown beer with a spontaneously fermented lambic that has matured in oak barrels.
Since 2014 beer has been flowing out of the tanks of a brand new microbrewery in Waterloo. Brasserie de Waterloo is housed in a wing of the historic Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean, a farmhouse in the shadow of the Lion statue. During the Battle of Waterloo this farm was turned into a field hospital for the English troops. The range of Brasserie de Waterloo includes the Triple Blond, a strong blonde with a sweet initial taste and a touch of hop bitter and the Strong Dark that lives up to its name: a strong, dark beer of the ‘double’ type with aromas of coffee and hints of liqueur in the finish. The brewery also produces two seasonal beers: the Waterloo Cuvée Impériale and Waterloo Récolte. The ruby-red Cuvée Impériale is mild, sweet and complex with hints of toasted malt and cane sugar. The pale blonde Waterloo Récolte, a typical farm beer inspired by a saison, proudly displays its hop and malt. Waterloo Récolte is only available on tap. The beer is brewed on the basis of the original 1815 recipe. Also, make sure you try the new Waterloo Kriek.