Brouwerij Willems

Revision as of 11:16, 6 December 2017 by Matt (talk | contribs)

Revision as of 11:16, 6 December 2017 by Matt (talk | contribs)

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1930's advertising sign. Source: José Willems
Only known photo of Lode Willems. Source: José Willems

Contents

History

Founded in 1930 by Louis (Lode) Willems (b. 1895) at Weverstraat 11 in Wambeek. Produced Gueuze and Krieken-Lambic. Willems was a direct competitor of De Troch, both in brewing and political life. Louis De Troch had been the mayor of Wambeek since 1899, and waged an economic war on his business rivals in the 1930's, using his influence to apply political pressure on his competitors. In 1932, Lode Willems was elected as a provincial councilor. In 1933, he ran in the mayoral election against incumbent mayor Louis De Troch. and won by 15 votes. Shortly before his planned inauguration, he suddenly passed away. It is believed that he was poisoned, and his grave was also defaced by political opponents.

The brewery operations were continued solely by his widow Maria Severanckx until 1935. In 1936, a partnership was formed with a Baron von Lynden Ollenhaller through her uncle's business contact. Unfortunately he severely mismanaged the brewery, and it soon fell into disrepair. Even the diligent and skillful widow Severanckx couldn't save it from ruin. The brewery equipment and inventory were eventually sold off to Louis De Troch.

Beers

  • Gueuze
  • Krieken-Lambic

Photos

Sources