Brasserie Limbourg (Gaasbeek)
History
Early Days
In 1902, Brasserie Limbourg was founded in Gaasbeek by Nestor Limbourg (1870-1952). Limbourg was a lambic blender that produced Gueuze & Kriek, it was located at Donkerstraat 20A in Gaasbeek. The site was formerly a farm brewery from the end of the 16th century, known as “De Molensteen”. Nestor’s father Louis (1842-1923) purchased the site containing a farm, café, brewing equipment, and beer warehouse. It was a family gift upon Nestor’s marriage to Angeline Lemaire in 1902.
Nestor Limbourg sold his gueuze in the café next to the blendery, known as “Au Repos de Gaesbeek” in those days, and he also supplied the many cafés and taverns in the local area. He was later assisted by his son Maurice (1908-1984) who ran the lambic blendery until production stopped sometime in the late 1950's. Maurice also was the mayor of Gaasbeek from 1969-1976. In 1934, Nestor’s first son Jean (1904-1961) married the daughter of Victor Valkeneer, a lambic blender in Pepingen. He took over the business of blending lambic from his father-in-law Victor and continued until 1955. After that he became a beer merchant.
Family Connection to Anderlecht (Brussels): Brothers and Cousins
Nestor Limbourg had a younger brother Edouard (1877-1940), who was a lambic blender in Anderlecht (Brussels) along with his sons, Nestor (1905-1984) and Edgard (1903-1992). Their lambic blendery began in 1906 and ended production sometime in the 1960’s.
21st Century Legacy: Bierhandel Limbourg & Restaurant Molensteen
Maurice Limbourg continued the family business as a beer merchant in the former beer warehouse of Brasserie Limbourg, which later passed on to his son Jean Limbourg. Bierhandel Limbourg continues today under the ownership of Jean’s son Johan. Limbourg’s lambic café once known as “Au Repos de Gaesbeek” eventually became Restaurant Molensteen, which is presently under the ownership of Maurice’s granddaughters Ann and Christel.
Beers
- Gueuze
- Kriek
Photos
Gueuze Limbourg glass, collection: Mark Linsner
Former blendery buildings, source: Immovable Heritage Agency
Former blendery buildings, including Bierhandel Limbourg. source: Immovable Heritage Agency
Former blendery buildings, source: Immovable Heritage Agency
Sources
- Source: Jean-Paul Limbourg, family heritage research
- Architectural Heritage "De Molensteen"
- Nestor Limbourg genealogy record
- Maurice Limbourg genealogy record
- Jean Limburg genealogy record
- Bierhandel Limbourg
- Restaurant Molensteen