Brasserie Brootcoorens

In Erquelinnes, Brasserie Brootcoorens grew from Alain Brootcoorens’s home brewing into a small, distinctly communal brewery. Its identity rests on natural, unfiltered beers, local participation and a teaching garden where more than 300 hop plants connect present-day brewing with Wallonia’s older village traditions. The brewery is also known for custom batches, inviting groups to create their own beer and label. From garage brewing to Erquelinnes Alain Brootcoorens developed his brewing interest during the 1990s, refining recipes in a converted garage before the brewery was established in Erquelinnes in December 2000. The brewery’s stated approach is small-scale and local: making beers that are not standardized, while treating brewing as something to share rather than simply a commercial product. The Angélus and the teaching garden The Angélus is the brewery’s emblematic beer and was created in 2000 by Alain and a group of friends. Its name refers to the nearby church and the daily ringing of its bells. The brewery later developed a didactic hop garden opposite the site, with more than 300 plants alongside fruit trees and aromatic herbs, turning the premises into both a brewery and an introduction to local brewing culture. Brewing as participation Brootcoorens produces natural beers described as using malt, hops, yeast and water, without added sugar, and offers personalized brewing for associations, clubs, committees and other groups. Its range includes the Angélus blonde, brune and Spéciale Noël, La Sambresse and Abbaye de la Thure. A teaching brewery where natural beer, local hops and shared participation form one coherent Belgian brewing tradition. Erquelinnes, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium December 2000 1990: Alain Brootcoorens began brewing in a converted garage while developing his recipes. 2000: The Brasserie Brootcoorens was established in Erquelinnes, and the Angélus was created with a group of friends. 2003: The Jurande de l’Angélus was formed, and the didactic hop garden was planted.