Region & History

Antwerp and the Kempen in northern Flanders bring together, in a small space, everything that defines Belgian beer: a city brewery with its own glass, a Trappist monastery, a family brewery with a world-famous brand, and a brewery that traces its roots to a beguinage.

City brewery De Koninck has been brewing since 1833 in Haringrode, on the border between Antwerp and Berchem. Johannes Vervliet converted a tavern that had previously belonged to Joseph Henricus De Koninck, and was married to his widow, Elisabeth Cop. Since 2010 the brewery has belonged to Duvel Moortgat. For September 2025, it was announced that brewing would temporarily move to Breendonk for about three years; the café, restaurant and tours remain in Antwerp.

Westmalle Abbey in the province of Antwerp was founded in 1794 by Cistercian monks and became a Trappist abbey in 1836. That same year, the brewery was established behind the monastery walls. The 'Authentic Trappist Product' logo tells you who brews the beer, under whose supervision, and where the proceeds go — not how it tastes.

Achel in the Limburg Kempen shows just how quickly status can change. The brewery was founded in 1998 with funding and staff from Westmalle. In the summer of 2020 the last monks left the abbey, in January 2021 the beer lost its Trappist logo, and in 2023 the abbey was sold. Brewing continues, but no longer as Trappist beer.

Het Anker in Mechelen traces its roots back to 1471, when beguines at the Great Beguinage brewed beer to support their community. Louis Van Breedam bought the brewery in 1872 and named it Het Anker in 1904. In Breendonk, Jan-Leonard Moortgat and Maria De Block founded a farm brewery in 1871 that would become Duvel Moortgat, still family-owned today.

None of these beers carries an EU protected designation of origin. Tripel, Dubbel and Golden Strong are style names that any brewery is free to use.