Description
InBev Belgium is part of the international brewery group InBev. The name and organisation were set up in August 2004. The story behind the InBev name goes back a lot further in time, though. A long history in which craftsmanship, quality, innovation and service towards consumers and corporate partners have always been key. Their most famous beers include Belle-Vue Kriek, Hoegaarden Witbier, Jupiler, Leffe and Stella Artois.
Beers
Jupiler
The name "Jupiler" is a reference to the village of Jupille. It was in this village located near Liège that the Piedboeuf brewery was established in 1853.
The brewery launched its “Jupiler 5” ale in 1966. This lager quickly conquered its rightful place in the Belgian beer market. The number 5 was a reference to the percentage of alcohol content and the number of ingredients used. It was later dropped from the name.
Jupiler is the most popular beer in Belgium. Its smooth flavour and refreshing character undoubtedly contribute to this fact.
The Jupiler range
• Jupiler has an alcohol content of 5.2%. The ideal drinking temperature is 3°C.
• Jupiler Blue has an alcohol content of 3.3% and is best drunk cold.
• Jupiler NA, with its alcohol content of 0.5%, is at its best at 2°C.
• Besides these beers the brewery also offers a range of table beers: Piedboeuf Blond (1.5%), Piedboeuf Bruin (1.5%) and Piedboeuf Triple (3.8%). These beers are at their best when served at 3°C.
Stella Artois
The town records of Leuven show an entry for excise duties levied on brewery Den Hoorn back in 1366. It was in this brewery that Sébastien Artois was to become brew-master on 13 June 1708. From that moment onwards his name would be inextricably linked to the brewery and the town of Leuven.
In 1926, in accordance with local customs, the Artois brewery launched its Christmas beer. The origin of its name? “Stella”, the Latin word for “Star”. The beer proved to be such a success that the brewer decided to market it on a permanent basis.
Our "Stella Artois" still exists to this day. The logo pictures a horn and the year 1366, both references to the origins of the brewery.
Stella Artois is a refreshing quality ale with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Its subtle taste is created by a unique mixture of only the best malt and the finest hops.
Stella Artois has an alcohol content of 5.2% and is best served at a temperature of 3°C.
Stella Artois Light and Stella Artois NA contain an alcohol percentage of 3.4% and 0.5% respectively. They are at their best at a temperature of 3°C.
Leffe
Leffe is a beer with a centuries-old history and tradition.
The Abbey of Leffe was founded in the Meuse valley, near the town of Dinant, in the year 1152. In 1240 the abbot set up a brewery just outside the abbey walls, on the opposite bank of the Meuse river. This brewery was subsequently destroyed at the time of the French Revolution. After WW II, though, people felt the need to breathe new life into old customs and traditions. Due to the high investment cost involved, the abbey decided to sell its manufacturing rights.
Even today we work in close collaboration with the Norbertine monks of the Abbey of Leffe. The establishment of the Leffe museum has tightened these ties even more.
The Leffe beers are top-fermentation beers. The specific mixture of ingredients ensures a rich, full-bodied flavour. In short, a gourmet beer for all beer lovers. In order to do justice to this beer, it is best served at a temperature of 5 to 6°C.
Currently, there are 5 Leffe beers on the market. They've each got their own character:
• Leffe Blond has a full-bodied, fruity flavour with a powerful aftertaste. This beer has an alcohol content of 6.5%.
• Leffe Bruin possesses a somewhat more robust flavour. This beer gets its rich aroma and typical caramel or toffee flavour from the roasted malt used in the production process. Leffe Bruin has an alcohol content of 6.5%.
• Leffe Tripel is a heavier beer with a secondary fermentation in the bottle. It has an alcohol content of 8.5%.
• Leffe Radieuse possesses a powerful and very complex flavour with a long-lasting aftertaste. This beer has an alcohol content of 8.2%.
• Leffe 9° is a blond top-fermenting beer that will fulfil the needs of any consumer looking to enjoy a quiet moment and a top quality ale°; a true gourmet beer. Leffe 9° will be available in hotels, restaurants and pubs as well as through normal distribution outlets. Leffe 9° has an alcohol content of 9%.
Belle-Vue
Philemon Vandenstock laid the foundations for the current Belle-Vue brewery back in 1913. The history of the Geuze beers, however, can be traced back to the Middle Ages. This authentic Lambic beer was already being brewed in the Zenne valley back then.
The characteristic features of the Geuze beers are the use of 30% wheat, a spontaneous fermentation and a blending process using both young and old Lambic beers. The Geuze beers get their typical tart flavour from the spontaneous fermentation with the yeast cells in the air of the surrounding Zenne valley.
The term "Lambiek" refers to the basic beer that is stored in oak casks to mature. After a period of 1 year we refer to the beer as a "young" Lambic beer.
We brew 5 Belle-Vue beers:
We brouwen 5 Belle-Vue bieren:
• Belle-Vue Kriek
• Belle-Vue Extra Kriek
• Belle-Vue Geuze
• Belle-Vue Framboise
• Belle-Vue Extra Appel-Kers
Hoegaarden
A historic document refers to the existence of a brewery in Hoegaarden back in 1318. Due to the fact that wheat was the main cereal crop of the area, a tradition of brewing cloudy white beers emerged. The brewers' trade expanded fast, in particular thanks to the village's special charter. While surrounding villages and towns such as Tienen had to pay high taxes and excise duties to the duke of Brabant for exporting their beer, the brewers from Hoegaarden were left alone by the prince bishop of Liège. The enclave was free to trade, both in Brabant and in Liège. Customs and excise duties did not apply to Hoegaarden.
In the first half of the 18th century, the brewer's trade in Hoegaarden experienced its golden era and the village boasted no fewer than 38 breweries by the year 1758! Thanks to the lucrative trade in white beer, the money kept rolling in. This is when the village of Hoegaarden got its lovely outlook and character, to be admired to this date.
Following the French Revolution, the brewer's village of Hoegaarden started to fall from power. Competition in the area increased due to improvements to the road system and the popularity of ale. Most of the breweries remained active up to the Second World War, however, but in 1937 only four remained. Brouwerij Loriers was the main one amongst these. This brewery produced, among other things, a very popular beer called "Hougaerdse Das". In the 1960s, however, this brewery closed down as well. The last cask of the typical old-style white beer had already been rolled out of the local Tomsin brewery a number of years before, back in 1957. This development had not been to the liking of one man, though: Tomsin's young neighbour, Pierre Celis. As local milkman Celis was like one of the family in the Tomsin house and during his spare time he used to help out at the brewery. When it closed its doors in 1957, young Pierre Celis decided it wouldn't be right to throw in the towel like that. After all, he had seen firsthand how the traditional white beer was brewed when he helped out at his neighbour's brewery.
So, on 13 March 1966, he presented his first brew. The result was extraordinary: Hoegaarden’s white beer had risen from the ashes. In 1985, however, faith struck a nasty blow. The brewery burnt down and there was no money to rebuild it.
The brewery and its beer were saved by the Artois brewery from Leuven, who decided to buy into the business and turn the Hoegaarden white beer into a global brand. At the end of the 1980s the brewery became part of the business concern Interbrew, today known as InBev. This expansion brought the Hoegaarden white beer to where it is today. It is now sold in dozens of countries throughout the world, spreading the name of this village in Haspengouwen all over the world, from Australia to Canada.
The Hoegaarden range
Hoegaarden Witbier (white beer)
This white beer is the best-known beer from the Hoegaarden family of beers. To produce white beer the brewer uses wheat besides barley malt. It is this wheat that gives the beer its pale colour and cloudy outlook. Hoegaarden's white beer is unfiltered beer. That is why the beer remains cloudy and contains live yeast cells. The beer is flavoured with coriander and orange peel. They give the beer its pleasant fruity taste and refreshing character. With an alcohol content of 4.9% Hoegaarden's white beer is a casual drinking beer, served locally in the well-known hexagonal glass.
Hoegaarden Grand Cru
Hoegaarden Grand Cru is a gourmet beer with an alcohol content of 8.5%. It possesses a surprisingly subtle yet complex flavour as well as a powerful aroma. This cloudy, peach-coloured beer combines a smooth flavour with a well-balanced tartness.
Hoegaarden Spéciale
The Hoegaarden Spéciale is related to the traditional Hoegaarden white beer but possesses special characteristics. Lightly roasted malt gives this beer a golden glow, a well-rounded flavour and a long-lasting aftertaste. The generous bulb jar in which it is traditionally served, does justice to its delicate aroma. Hoegaarden Spéciale has an alcohol content of 5.7% that will warm you up during the winter months. It is only available from October till the end of January.
Hougaerdse Das
Hougaerdse Das has an amber colour and is unfiltered. That is why it has such a beautiful, cloudy outlook. This smooth drinking beer has an alcohol content of 5.1% and distinguishes itself through its distinctive aroma and character. The refreshing aftertaste is subtle.
Verboden Vrucht
Verboden Vrucht is considered to be a gourmet beer. It is a top-fermented beer, with additional fermentation in the bottle, and possesses a spicy aroma of coriander. Verboden Vrucht is a full-bodied aromatic beer, with a hint of vanilla and chocolate. It tastes both sweet and dry, whereby the dry overtone will eventually prevail. Verboden Vrucht has an alcohol content of 8.5%.