Affligem Brouwerij (Brouwerij De Smedt)

In Opwijk, Flemish Brabant, the brewery now known as Affligem grew from the De Smedt brewing house into the modern home of Affligem’s abbey beers. Its identity rests on a distinctive partnership: a commercial Belgian brewery carrying forward the brewing tradition of Affligem Abbey while adapting old methods to contemporary production. From De Smedt to Affligem Brouwerij De Smedt was established in 1790 in Opwijk. The brewery later became closely associated with Affligem after partnering with the abbey in 1956, when the monks needed a new brewing home after wartime destruction. The collaboration preserved the abbey connection while moving production into a functioning modern brewery. A living abbey partnership The Affligem monks remain connected to the brand as its custodians of tradition and quality, while brewing takes place through the Opwijk brewery and its successors within Alken-Maes and Heineken. The result is neither a fictional medieval brewery nor an unchanged monastic operation, but a documented Belgian brewing partnership linking abbey heritage with industrial expertise. Opwijk and the modern brewery The brewery’s later history follows the changing structure of Belgian brewing. De Smedt was gradually absorbed into the Heineken group between 2000 and 2003, became known as Affligem Brouwerij, and was subsequently incorporated into Alken-Maes. The Opwijk site remains the practical brewing anchor behind the Affligem name. Affligem Brouwerij is defined by the meeting of an Opwijk brewing house and the enduring quality tradition of Affligem Abbey. Opwijk, Flemish Brabant, Belgium 1790 1790: Brouwerij De Smedt was established in Opwijk. 1956: The brewery began collaborating with Affligem Abbey after the abbey brewery was destroyed during World War II. 1970: De Smedt took on official brewing of Affligem beer under agreement with the monks. 2000: Heineken began the gradual acquisition of De Smedt. 2013: Affligem became part of Heineken, while the abbey continued its quality-keeper role.