Brasserie Vandenkerckhoven

History

Founded in 1876 as "J.B. Herbos VVe. & fils" in Brussels at OLV Van Vaakstraat 79-85. Renamed "Brasserie L'Etoile" in 1893. Between 1904 and 1908, Brasserie L'Etoile was owned by A.J. Vandenkerckhoven. Renamed Vandenkerckhoven in 1940. Offices were located at Boulevard Barthelemy 39.

In 1948 the brewery merged with De Coster-Heymans, officially becoming Vandenkerckhoven-De Coster-Heymans. Previously De Coster-Heymans had been a subdivision of Vandenkerckhoven since before WWII. Finally the brewery merged with Brasserie Unies in 1963, which was acquired by Belle-Vue and closed in 1969.

Kriekenlambic, Gueuze, and Lambic were brewed according to traditional methods.The brewery itself performed all phases of the brewing process: from grinding grain with a millstone (very rare in a brewery), barreling, and bottling of the beer. The millstone was seen in the building until 1975.

According to the brewery owner in 1914, the working conditions of workers were as follows: The workers lived generally in Dilbeek and surroundings and most slept during the week in the district, or in the brewery itself. They were given food in the brewery, and at the end of the week they received a 20 liter oak cask of beer to take home. Until 1957 there were about fifty employees and annual production at about 8,000 barrels.

Timeline

• 1876: Herbos brewery founded
• 1893: Renamed Brasserie L'Etoile
• 1904: Ownership transferred to A.J. Vandenkerckhoven
• 1948: Merger with De Coster-Heymans
• 1963: Merged with Brasserie Unies
• 1969: Brasserie Unies closed

Beers

• Gueuze
• Krieken-Lambic
• Lambic

Photos

• 1948 brewery invoice, source: Leupsstimbiet, delcampe.net
• 1958 brewery invoice, source: jpm876669, delcampe.net
• Brewery letterhead, 1950's

Links/References

Historical info (source: brasseries-uccle-rhode.net)

Almanac listing with address.