Brasserie Goossens

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Old mill inside the former Goossens brewery. Source: Nieusblad.be

History

Brasserie Goossens was founded in the village of Sint Gertrudis-Pede 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. Nestor Franciscus Goossens (b.1884) was the brewer during the 20th century. Goossens first allied with De Boeck in 1938, then later merged into Brasseries Unies in 1960. The brewery finally ceased operations in 1968.

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."

In March 2016, the brewery site was purchased by the Kestemont family after a year on the market. According to a recent article, a new brewery is planned for the site.

As of 2019, brewery operations have resumed again after being closed for nearly 60 years. Several hundred barrels of lambic have already been produced, holding over 20,000 liters. Francis Kestemont and 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.