Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen: Difference between revisions

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== Overview ==
== Overview ==
[[File:3FonteinenBrouwerij-2.jpg|thumb|left|Entrance to the 3 Fonteinen Brewery in Beersel]]
[[File:3FonteinenBrouwerij-2.jpg|thumb|left|Entrance to the 3 Fonteinen Brewery in Beersel]]
3 Fonteinen is a lambic brewery and blendery located in Beersel and Lot, Belgium.  In 2019, Armand Debelder officially retired from the brewery due to severe illness and no longer holds a financial stake, though he is still regarded as the father of the 3 Fonteinen family.  3 Fonteinen is currently headed by Michaël Blanquaert and Werner Van Obberghen, after a nearly 6 year transition that began in 2014. Previously, Armand took over the brewing and blending operations of the business from his father Gaston. There is also a cafe attached to the original brewery in Beersel, which is overseen by Armand's brother, Guido, and nephew Thomas, though it is considered a completely separate entity. In addition to lambics, 3 Fonteinen also produces several other non-lambic beers in small quantities, including a blonde, lager, and porter.
3 Fonteinen is a lambic brewery and blendery located in Beersel and Lot, Belgium.  In 2019, Armand Debelder officially retired from the brewery due to severe illness and no longer holds a financial stake, though he is still regarded as the father of the 3 Fonteinen family.  3 Fonteinen is currently headed by Michaël Blanquaert and Werner Van Obberghen, after a nearly 6 year transition that began in 2014. Previously, Armand took over the brewing and blending operations of the business from his father Gaston. There is also a cafe attached to the original brewery in Beersel, which is overseen by Armand's brother, Guido, and nephew Thomas, though it is considered a completely separate entity. In addition to lambics, 3 Fonteinen also produces several other non-lambic beers in small quantities, including a Beersel blonde and Beersel lager. The porter, Zwet.Be was discontinued in 2020.


== History ==
== History ==
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In 2016 and after 2 years helping out with financial decisions, Werner Van Obberghen (who tried his first lambic with his father at the 3 Fonteinen restaurant with Armand while he was still a teenager and later would write a thesis about the financial aspect of lambic and tradition as a mean of business) officially joined the brewery to lead the strategic, commercial, and operational direction; especially on business planning, sustainability initiatives, and external partnerships. For the early years of the business, Armand was not profitable and Werner helped him crafting plans to get there while respecting his vision. On Thursday September 1st, 2016, the 3 Fonteinen lambik-O-droom officially opened to the public for [[3_Fonteinen_Open_Beer_Days|3 Fonteinen Open Beer Days]], while the process of moving all of the barrels was finally completed in 2018.
In 2016 and after 2 years helping out with financial decisions, Werner Van Obberghen (who tried his first lambic with his father at the 3 Fonteinen restaurant with Armand while he was still a teenager and later would write a thesis about the financial aspect of lambic and tradition as a mean of business) officially joined the brewery to lead the strategic, commercial, and operational direction; especially on business planning, sustainability initiatives, and external partnerships. For the early years of the business, Armand was not profitable and Werner helped him crafting plans to get there while respecting his vision. On Thursday September 1st, 2016, the 3 Fonteinen lambik-O-droom officially opened to the public for [[3_Fonteinen_Open_Beer_Days|3 Fonteinen Open Beer Days]], while the process of moving all of the barrels was finally completed in 2018.


This new facility currently houses barrels and foeders of lambic, the bottling and labeling line, as well as all of the conditioning bottles. In addition to the production facility, the lambik-O-droom houses a full tasting room including current, vintage, and specialty bottles and a retail shop.
This new facility currently houses barrels and foeders of lambic, the bottling and labeling line, as well as all of the conditioning bottles. In addition to the production facility, the lambik-O-droom houses a retail shop and a full tasting room including current, vintage, and specialty bottles.


In 2018, the brewery decided to leave HORAL, as they disagreed with some of the decisions made and the overall direction of the organisation, feeling some of the lines were getting blurred by some of the members regarding the definition of what was considered as traditional lambic.  
In 2018, the brewery made the decision to leave HORAL, as they disagreed with some of the decisions made as well as the overall direction of the organization, feeling that lines were becoming blurred regarding the definition of what is considered traditional lambic.  


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Armand Debelder (October 26th, 1951 – March 6th, 2022) was a gueuze blender and lambic brewer at Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen in Beersel (later Lot, Beersel), Belgium.  
Armand Debelder (October 26th, 1951 – March 6th, 2022) was a gueuze blender and lambic brewer at Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen in Beersel (later Lot, Beersel), Belgium.  


For a concise overview of his career as a blender and later brewer, please refer to the brewery’s info page as linked above.  
For a concise overview of his career as a blender (and later brewer), please refer to the brewery’s info page as linked above.  


Prior to his official retirement in 2016, Armand had already begun construction of a house by the Belgian seaside. He was still partially involved with work at the brewery in Lot, until he started enduring bouts of back pain throughout 2018.   
Prior to his official retirement in 2016, Armand had already begun construction of a house by the Belgian seaside. He was still partially involved with work at the brewery in Lot, until he started enduring bouts of back pain throughout 2018.   
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From 2020 and after COVID-19, the succession of lock-downs and the craft beer scene taking a hit as a whole, 3 Fonteinen got hit like everyone else and had to rethink their model and future plans. In 2024, they had to lay off 10 of their 19 employees as production declined by 50%, and announced they were cancelling their plans of expansion. As of 2025, they employed 12 people and kept putting their efforts into working and promoting local ingredients.
COVID-19 and the accompanying lockdowns had a profound adverse effect on the craft beer scene. 3 Fonteinen was forced to rethink their business model and future plans. In 2024, they laid off 10 of their 19 employees as production declined by 50%, and announced they were cancelling their plans of expansion. As of 2025, 3 Fonteinen employs 12 people, while continuing their efforts in sourcing and promoting local ingredients.


==Production Notes==
==Production Notes==
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* [[3 Fonteinen Cuvée Armand & Gaston|Cuvée Armand & Gaston]]   
* [[3 Fonteinen Cuvée Armand & Gaston|Cuvée Armand & Gaston]]   
* [[3 Fonteinen Cuvée Armand & Gaston Vintage|Cuvée Armand & Gaston Vintage]]   
* [[3 Fonteinen Cuvée Armand & Gaston Vintage|Cuvée Armand & Gaston Vintage]]   
* [[3 Fonteinen Cuvée Armand & Gaston Het Bezoek|Cuvée Armand & Gaston Het Bezoek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Doesjel|Doesjel]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Doesjel|Doesjel]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Golden Doesjel|Golden Doesjel]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Golden Doesjel|Golden Doesjel]]
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* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze 1998 (50th Anniversary)|Oude Geuze 1998 (50th Anniversary)]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze 1998 (50th Anniversary)|Oude Geuze 1998 (50th Anniversary)]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Golden Blend|Oude Geuze Golden Blend]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Golden Blend|Oude Geuze Golden Blend]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze - Honing|Oude Geuze - Honing]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Platinum Blend|Oude Geuze Platinum Blend]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Platinum Blend|Oude Geuze Platinum Blend]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Port x Madeira|Port x Madeira]]
* [[3 Fonteinen PX by X-S|PX by X-S]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Selectie C|Oude Geuze Selectie C]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Selectie C|Oude Geuze Selectie C]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Vintage|Oude Geuze Vintage]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Vintage|Oude Geuze Vintage]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Vintage - Honing|Oude Geuze Vintage - Honing]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Vintage - Honing|Oude Geuze Vintage - Honing]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Pension Blend|Pension Blend]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Pension Blend|Pension Blend]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Ratafia|Ratafia]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Scotch Whisky|Scotch Whisky]]


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=== Faro ===
=== Faro ===
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* [[3 Fonteinen Faro|Faro]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Faro|Faro]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Straffe Winter|Straffe Winter]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Straffe Winter|Straffe Winter]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Strenge Winter|Strenge Winter]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Strenge Winter|Strenge Winter]]
</div>


=== Fruit ===
=== Fruit ===
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* [[3 Fonteinen Bramenlambiek|Bramenlambiek (Blackberry)]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Bramenlambiek|Bramenlambiek (Blackberry)]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Framboos|Framboos]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Framboos|Framboos]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Framboos Bio Frambozen|Framboos Bio Frambozen]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Framboos Bio Frambozen + Wort|Framboos Bio Frambozen + Wort]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Frambozenlambik|Frambozenlambik]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Frambozenlambik|Frambozenlambik]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Hommage|Hommage]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Hommage|Hommage]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Hommage Bio Frambozen|Hommage Bio Frambozen]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Hommage Lambiek|Hommage Lambiek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Hommage Lambiek|Hommage Lambiek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Intense Red Oude Kriek|Intense Red Oude Kriek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Intense Red Oude Kriek|Intense Red Oude Kriek]]
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* [[3 Fonteinen Kriekenlambic Schaerbeekse|Kriekenlambik Schaerbeekse]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Kriekenlambic Schaerbeekse|Kriekenlambik Schaerbeekse]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek|Oude Kriek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek|Oude Kriek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek Op Ton|Oude Kriek Op Ton]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Kriekenlambiek|Oude Kriekenlambik (Bottled)]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Kriekenlambiek|Oude Kriekenlambik (Bottled)]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Kriekenlambiek Toast|Oude Kriekenlambik Toast (Bottled)]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Kriekenlambiek Toast|Oude Kriekenlambik Toast (Bottled)]]
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* [[3 Fonteinen Rode Bosbes|Rode Bosbes (Lingonberry)]]  
* [[3 Fonteinen Rode Bosbes|Rode Bosbes (Lingonberry)]]  
* [[3 Fonteinen Schaerbeekse Kriek|Schaerbeekse Kriek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Schaerbeekse Kriek|Schaerbeekse Kriek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Schaarbeekse Kriek Op Ton Toast|Schaarbeekse Op Ton Toast]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Wijnbergperzik|Wijnbergperzik]]
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===Grape===
===Grape===
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* [[3 Fonteinen Pinot Noir Lambic|Pinot Noir Lambic]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Pinot Noir Lambic|Pinot Noir Lambic]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Chardonnay Lambic|Chardonnay Lambic]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Chardonnay Lambic|Chardonnay Lambic]]
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* [[3 Fonteinen Malvasia Rosso|Malvasia Rosso]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Malvasia Rosso|Malvasia Rosso]]
* [[3 Fonteinen X Claus Preisinger - Druif Blaufränkish|Claus Preisinger - Druif Blaufränkish]]
* [[3 Fonteinen X Claus Preisinger - Druif Blaufränkish|Claus Preisinger - Druif Blaufränkish]]
</div>
===Barrels===
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* [[3 Fonteinen Cask Finish Series Akevitt x Atlungstad|Cask Finish Series Akevitt x Atlungstad]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Cask Finish Series Armagnac|Cask Finish Series Armagnac]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Cask Finish Series Cognac|Cask Finish Series Cognac]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Port x Madeira|Port x Madeira]]
* [[3 Fonteinen PX by X-S|PX by X-S]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Ratafia|Ratafia]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Scotch Whisky|Scotch Whisky]]
</div>


===Herbed/Spiced===
===Herbed/Spiced===
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=== Oude Lambiek ===
=== Oude Lambiek ===
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* [[3 Fonteinen X Lambic.Info Single Barrel Amontillado Lambic|3 Fonteinen X Lambic.Info Single Barrel Amontillado Lambic]]  
* [[3 Fonteinen X Lambic.Info Single Barrel Amontillado Lambic|3 Fonteinen X Lambic.Info Single Barrel Amontillado Lambic]]  
* [[3 Fonteinen  Oude Lambiek|Oude Lambiek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen  Oude Lambiek|Oude Lambiek]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Lambiek (4 Year Old)|Oude Lambiek (4 Year Old)]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Oude Lambiek (4 Year Old)|Oude Lambiek (4 Year Old)]]
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===Zenne series===
===Zenne series===
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne d’Auge Two Barrel Calvados Lambik|Zenne d’Auge Two Barrel Calvados Lambik]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne d’Auge Two Barrel Calvados Lambik|Zenne d’Auge Two Barrel Calvados Lambik]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne y Frontera Two Barrel Oloroso Lambik|Zenne y Frontera Two Barrel Oloroso Lambik]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne D’Hesbaye|Zenne D’Hesbaye]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne D’Hesbaye|Zenne D’Hesbaye]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne y Frontera|Zenne y Frontera]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne y Frontera|Zenne y Frontera]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne y Frontera Single Barrel Brandy de Jerez Lambik|Zenne y Frontera Single Barrel Brandy de Jerez Lambik]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne y Frontera Single Barrel Brandy de Jerez Lambik|Zenne y Frontera Single Barrel Brandy de Jerez Lambik]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Zenne y Frontera Single Barrel Amontillado Sherry Geuze|Zenne y Frontera Single Barrel Amontillado Sherry Geuze]]
* [[3_Fonteinen_Zenne_y_Frontera#Batch_2_Label|Zenne y Frontera (Solera)]]
* [[3_Fonteinen_Zenne_y_Frontera#Batch_2_Label|Zenne y Frontera (Solera)]]
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===Speling van het Lot (Twist of Fate) Series===
===Speling van het Lot (Twist of Fate) Series===
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* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VII.xi - Zotte Kadeeën - Cassis Blended & Alive|SvhL VII.xi - Zotte Kadeeën - Cassis Blended & Alive]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VII.xi - Zotte Kadeeën - Cassis Blended & Alive|SvhL VII.xi - Zotte Kadeeën - Cassis Blended & Alive]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VII.xii - Zotte Kadeeën - Zoet Kers (Not So) Raw & Uncut|SvhL VII.xii - Zotte Kadeeën - Zoet Kers (Not So) Raw & Uncut]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VII.xii - Zotte Kadeeën - Zoet Kers (Not So) Raw & Uncut|SvhL VII.xii - Zotte Kadeeën - Zoet Kers (Not So) Raw & Uncut]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VII.xiii - Zotte Kadeeën - Rabarber Blended & Alive|SvhL VII.xiii - Zotte Kadeeën - Rabarber Blended & Alive]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VII.xiii - Kweeper|SvhL VII.xiv - Kweeper]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VII.xiv - Zotte Kadeeën - Rabarber Blended & Alive|SvhL VII.xiii - Zotte Kadeeën - Rabarber Blended & Alive]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VIII.i - Schaarbeekse On a Toast (Medium) Raw & Uncut|SvhL VIII.i - Schaarbeekse On a Toast (Medium) Raw & Uncut]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VIII.i - Schaarbeekse On a Toast (Medium) Raw & Uncut|SvhL VIII.i - Schaarbeekse On a Toast (Medium) Raw & Uncut]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VIII.ii - Schaarbeekse On a Toast (Medium) Blended & Alive|SvhL VIII.ii - Schaarbeekse On a Toast (Medium) Blended & Alive]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot VIII.ii - Schaarbeekse On a Toast (Medium) Blended & Alive|SvhL VIII.ii - Schaarbeekse On a Toast (Medium) Blended & Alive]]
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* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot XVIII.viii: Single Wood - Acacia|SvhL XVIII.viii: Single Wood - Acacia]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot XVIII.viii: Single Wood - Acacia|SvhL XVIII.viii: Single Wood - Acacia]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot XIX.i: Honingbes|SvhL XIX.i: Honingbes]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot XIX.i: Honingbes|SvhL XIX.i: Honingbes]]
===Unreleased===
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot Cognac|SvhL Cognac]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot Pruim - Conducta Met Pit|SvhL Pruim - Conducta Met Pit]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot Pruim - Conducta Zonder Pit + Wort|SvhL Pruim - Conducta Zonder Pit + Wort]]
* [[3 Fonteinen Speling van het Lot Vin Jaune|SvhL Vin Jaune]]


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