Brouwerij De Vlier
Description
Brouwerij De Vlier was officially established on 10 March 2008, a first big step for those involved. An empty building in the centre of the formerly independent municipality of Kessel-Lo (now a borough of Leuven), previously housing the pub “Bieduif’ke”, was chosen to set up the brewery. The name for the new brewery is derived from the name of the region (Vlierbeek) and hence the brewery was named Brouwerij De Vlier.
In April of that year it was decided that new brewing equipment should be purchased. Thanks to his work at Meura and his contacts in the brewing industry Marc had become friendly with Pierre Rajotte, a Canadian supplier selling small-scale brewing equipment of good quality at affordable prices (and author of the book entitled “Belgian Ales”). The brew kettles and conditioning tanks were delivered at the beginning of June and were installed immediately, allowing the brewery to start running tests. At the beginning of July they were ready to start brewing beer at a large scale.
At the time of our visit Marc Andries was brewing 500 litres (one batch) a week. He was keen, however, to increase this quantity to 1,500 litres a week as soon as possible. Two additional fermentation and conditioning tanks with a capacity of 1,000 litres each are being installed for that purpose.
Brewery visits
Groups of maximum 25 people can visit the brewery by appointment.
After the guided tour, which provides insight into the ingredients, the brewing process, the fermentation and the conditioning process, visitors are offered the opportunity to enjoy a glass of Kessel Blond in the cosy tasting room.
Admission fee
Groups of 4 to 8 people: €15/person
Groups of 9 to 25 people: €12/person
Languages
Dutch / English / French / German
Location
Kessel-Lo – Vlaams-Brabant
Address
Borstelsstraat 48 - 3010 Kessel-Lo
Telephone number / Contact
Marc Andries
Gsm +32 (0)473-83 94 63
Beer tasting
The brewery is open on Fridays, from 6 till 9 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. Kessel-Blond is served to paying customers during the aforementioned hours.
Museum / Interactive
not applicable
Beer on sale in the brewery
The brewery is open on Fridays, from 6 till 9 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. Kessel-Blond can be purchased during the aforementioned hours.
Café/Restaurant/Hotel/Off-licence
La Stanza, Leuven
Cafetaria Zwembad Kessel-lo (cafetaria of the local swimming pool)
Cafetaria Stille Waters Provinciaal Domein Kessel-lo
Paviljoen Diestsesteenweg Kessel-lo
Café St. Jean, Martelarenplein Leuven
Café Wisemaele (www.wisemaele.be) Steenweg op Nieuwrode Wezemaal
In de Rozenkrans (www.rozenkrans.be) Abdij van Vlierbeek Kessel-lo
Het Rock Café (www.rockcafe.be) Oude Markt Leuven
In de Molen Waversebaan Oud-Heverlee
In de Molen Dorpsstraat Bierbeek
Café Blauwe Kater, Hallengang 1, 3000 Leuven
Restaurant De Groote Markt (www.degrootemarkt.be) Oude Haachtsesteenweg Diegem
Tendelhof (www.tendelhof.be) Hoenderstraat Kessel
Food pairing information / Recipes
• Butcher's shop Vangramberen in Boutersem (www.vangramberen.be) has created a special cold meat salad with Kessel-Blond.