HORAL: Difference between revisions

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==History==

In January of 1997, at the insistence of 3 Fonteinen's Armand Debelder, HORAL formally established themselves with its original members: 3 Fonteinen, Boon, De Cam (then owned by Willem Van Herreweghen), De Troch, Lindemans, and Timmermans. The impetus to creating the group, to promote and protect lambic beers in the face of continued decline, drove the HORAL members to organize the first [[Toer_de_Geuze|Toer de Geuze]] on October 19, 1997. Toer de Geuze has been held every other year since. ~~The most recent addition to the council is~~ Pierre Tilquin, owner and blender at Gueuzerie Tilquin, ~~who~~ joined ~~in 2012~~.<ref name = HORALAssosciation> HORAL - Association, Members, and History, http://www.horal.be/vereniging (Dutch)</ref> On April 2, 2015, Frank Boon ~~took over~~ the chairmanship of ~~the organization replacing~~ Armand Debelder. Four years later, on April 10, 2019, Gert Christiaens ~~accepted~~ the ~~chairman~~ role and ~~is currently leading~~ HORAL.

In January of 1997, at the insistence of 3 Fonteinen's Armand Debelder, HORAL formally established themselves with its original members: 3 Fonteinen, Boon, De Cam (then owned by Willem Van Herreweghen), De Troch, Lindemans, and Timmermans. The impetus to creating the group, to promote and protect lambic beers in the face of continued decline, drove the HORAL members to organize the first [[Toer_de_Geuze|Toer de Geuze]] on October 19, 1997. Toer de Geuze has been held every other year since.

In 2012, Pierre Tilquin, owner and blender at Gueuzerie Tilquin, joined the counci. His arrival marked the first inclusion of a blender without an associated brewery, reflecting the growing recognition of independent gueuze blenders within the Pajottenland and Zenne Valley.<ref name = HORALAssosciation> HORAL - Association, Members, and History, http://www.horal.be/vereniging (Dutch)</ref>

On April 2, 2015, Frank Boon assumed the chairmanship of HORAL, taking over from Armand Debelder and continuing the organization’s work promoting and protecting traditional lambic and gueuze. Four years later, on April 10, 2019, leadership passed to Gert Christiaens of Oud Beersel, who remains chairman.

Significant changes in HORAL’s membership also occurred in this period. In late 2018, both 3 Fonteinen and Girardin announced their departure from the council, citing disagreements about the values, direction, and practices represented within the organization. Their withdrawal — formally effective in early 2019 — was especially notable given 3 Fonteinen’s status as a founding member. The departure highlighted differing perspectives within the lambic world regarding tradition, modernization, and the evolving role of an organization like HORAL.

In the years that followed, the council continued to expand with new producers and blenders emerging from a revitalized lambic scene. Lambiek Fabriek joined in 2020, bringing a younger, rapidly growing lambic brewery into the fold. Den Herberg became a member in 2022, followed by the revived Eylenbosch brewery in 2023. Most recently, the historic lambic brewery Kestemont joined HORAL in 2024. These additions reflect both the renewed dynamism of the region’s lambic production and HORAL’s role in integrating new traditional producers alongside established names.

Another notable structural development came in 2022, when HORAL amended its statutes to allow private individuals to become supporting members. This change opened the organization to the broader community of gueuze enthusiasts, providing new opportunities for public engagement through events such as the Lambic Academy and the Lambic Award.

Today, with a diverse membership of traditional brewers and blenders, HORAL continues its mission to protect and promote lambic culture — most visibly through the Toer de Geuze, held every two years since its founding event in 1997.

===Board Members===

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 ==History==
-In January of 1997, at the insistence of 3 Fonteinen's Armand Debelder, HORAL formally established themselves with its original members: 3 Fonteinen, Boon, De Cam (then owned by Willem Van Herreweghen), De Troch, Lindemans, and Timmermans. The impetus to creating the group, to promote and protect lambic beers in the face of continued decline, drove the HORAL members to organize the first [[Toer_de_Geuze|Toer de Geuze]] on October 19, 1997. Toer de Geuze has been held every other year since. The most recent addition to the council is Pierre Tilquin, owner and blender at Gueuzerie Tilquin, who joined in 2012.<ref name = HORALAssosciation> HORAL - Association, Members, and History, http://www.horal.be/vereniging (Dutch)</ref>  On April 2, 2015, Frank Boon took over the chairmanship of the organization replacing Armand Debelder.  Four years later, on April 10, 2019, Gert Christiaens accepted the chairman role and is currently leading HORAL.
+In January of 1997, at the insistence of 3 Fonteinen's Armand Debelder, HORAL formally established themselves with its original members: 3 Fonteinen, Boon, De Cam (then owned by Willem Van Herreweghen), De Troch, Lindemans, and Timmermans. The impetus to creating the group, to promote and protect lambic beers in the face of continued decline, drove the HORAL members to organize the first [[Toer_de_Geuze|Toer de Geuze]] on October 19, 1997. Toer de Geuze has been held every other year since.
+In 2012, Pierre Tilquin, owner and blender at Gueuzerie Tilquin, joined the counci. His arrival marked the first inclusion of a blender without an associated brewery, reflecting the growing recognition of independent gueuze blenders within the Pajottenland and Zenne Valley.<ref name = HORALAssosciation> HORAL - Association, Members, and History, http://www.horal.be/vereniging (Dutch)</ref>
+On April 2, 2015, Frank Boon assumed the chairmanship of HORAL, taking over from Armand Debelder and continuing the organization’s work promoting and protecting traditional lambic and gueuze. Four years later, on April 10, 2019, leadership passed to Gert Christiaens of Oud Beersel, who remains chairman.
+Significant changes in HORAL’s membership also occurred in this period. In late 2018, both 3 Fonteinen and Girardin announced their departure from the council, citing disagreements about the values, direction, and practices represented within the organization. Their withdrawal — formally effective in early 2019 — was especially notable given 3 Fonteinen’s status as a founding member. The departure highlighted differing perspectives within the lambic world regarding tradition, modernization, and the evolving role of an organization like HORAL.
+In the years that followed, the council continued to expand with new producers and blenders emerging from a revitalized lambic scene. Lambiek Fabriek joined in 2020, bringing a younger, rapidly growing lambic brewery into the fold. Den Herberg became a member in 2022, followed by the revived Eylenbosch brewery in 2023. Most recently, the historic lambic brewery Kestemont joined HORAL in 2024. These additions reflect both the renewed dynamism of the region’s lambic production and HORAL’s role in integrating new traditional producers alongside established names.
+Another notable structural development came in 2022, when HORAL amended its statutes to allow private individuals to become supporting members. This change opened the organization to the broader community of gueuze enthusiasts, providing new opportunities for public engagement through events such as the Lambic Academy and the Lambic Award.
+Today, with a diverse membership of traditional brewers and blenders, HORAL continues its mission to protect and promote lambic culture — most visibly through the Toer de Geuze, held every two years since its founding event in 1997.
 ===Board Members===