Brasserie Goossens
History
The Goossens Brewery was founded in the village of Sint Gertrudis-Pede (Schepdaal) at Isabellastraat 16. The farm brewery was in existence prior to 1767, which is the date of an early renovation marked on the keystone of the farmhouse. The brewery site was on a river, which served as a water source and powered the on-site maltings plant, which once produced floor-malted barley. Nestor Franciscus Goossens (b.1884) was the brewer during the 20th century. The brewery was also known as "Brouwerij Sint Gertrude", and finally ceased operations in the 1960's. A 1967 listing of lambic brewers still included a "Br. Sinte Gertrude".
According to a recent account by Frank Boon in July, 2014: "I visited this brewery in early 1970. The coppers were not present anymore, but there was a coolship and mashtun (in cast iron). Capacity of about 40 HL. They sold nearly all their beer as young lambic in small wooden casks without pressure and in casks from 80L, 180L and 250L for farmers and cafés. Geuze and Kriek only small production. I don't know about malting. I know there was a malting unit at De Neve Brewery which was at approx. 200 meters distance from Nestor Goossens."
21st Century Revival
In 1990, the brewery property was purchased from the heirs of the Goossens family, and was restored by Frans Appelmans and Yvette Mary, who also ran a construction business on the site.
In March 2016, the brewery site was sold to the Kestemont family after a year on the market. According to a 2016 article, a new brewery is planned for the site.1 After nearly 60 years, operations at the brewery have resumed once again in early 2019. Several hundred barrels of lambic have already been produced, holding over 20,000 liters. Francis Kestemont and his son Lias will oversee brewery operations, producing gueuze and kriek with their own Schaerbeek cherries within the next three years. A brasserie named Het Zesde Seizoen (The Sixth Season) is also planned for the site.
Beers
- Gueuze Goossens
- Kriek Goossens
- Jonge Lambiek
Photos
Enamel sign.
Source: Pierre Tilquin
Old mill inside the former Goossens brewery. Source: Nieuwsblad.be
Undated photo taken at the former Goossens brewery. Source: Schepdaal.be
2002 news article about Frans Appelmans and Yvette Mary restoring the Goossens brewery. (Dutch) Source: Thierry Van Linthoudt
