Brasserie Caracole

At Falmignoul near Dinant, Brasserie Caracole occupies an old brewing site whose story reaches back to 1765. Its character comes from continuity and revival: a brewery founded by the Moussoux family, damaged by a violent 1939 storm, and later brought back into operation under the Caracole name. The surviving buildings, including a fermentation annex from 1820, make the brewery’s heritage unusually tangible. A brewing site rooted in Falmignoul The brewery’s official history places its beginning in 1765, when the Moussoux family established a brewery in Falmignoul. The official site describes the buildings as originally sold by a grain merchant to a first brewer, while the fermentation room is identified as an annex built in 1820. These details connect the present brewery to a specific place and surviving architectural fabric rather than to an abstract founding legend. Storm, interruption and revival In 1939, a violent storm brought down the large chimney onto the street-side buildings, which were completely destroyed. Monsieur Lamotte subsequently operated the brewery until 1971. Later, Namur-born brewer François Tonglet restarted the enterprise and gave it the name Brasserie Caracole, establishing the modern identity of the brewery. Tradition still visible in the brewhouse Brasserie Caracole presents itself as an artisanal Belgian brewery that continues to brew in old copper vessels heated by a wood fire. Its visitor experience combines the historic site, a taverne and guided tastings, allowing the brewery’s working methods and built heritage to be encountered together. A revived Falmignoul brewery where surviving buildings and wood-fired copper brewing keep heritage visibly connected to present practice. Falmignoul, near Dinant, Namur Province, Belgium 1765 1765: The Moussoux family establishes a brewery in Falmignoul. 1820: The surviving fermentation-room annex is constructed. 1939: A violent storm destroys the street-side buildings after the large chimney collapses. 1971: Monsieur Lamotte’s period of operation ends.