Brasserie des Rocs

Brasserie des Rocs belongs to Belgium’s early microbrewery revival: a family brewery rooted in Montignies-sur-Roc, where Jean-Pierre Eloir began brewing on a tiny scale in 1979. Its identity later settled around the Brasserie des Rocs name, while the present-day operation is commonly presented as Brasserie de l’Abbaye des Rocs. The brewery’s character lies in its small beginnings, family continuity, and firmly Belgian brewing tradition. A microbrewery born before the fashion Brewing activities began in 1979, initially producing only about 50 litres every two weeks. The brewery’s early equipment was assembled without the infrastructure of a conventional industrial plant; regional tourism sources describe Jean-Pierre Eloir adapting repurposed materials, including washing machines. This made the operation an important early example of Belgium’s modern small-brewery movement. From Abbaye des Rocs to Brasserie des Rocs The first commercial beer was called Abbaye des Rocs, a name connected with a nearby former abbey farm. As demand grew, the brewery expanded its premises and production equipment. A secondary brewery history records that the company adopted the name Brasserie des Rocs in 1991, then became a société anonyme in 1993. The official brewery history confirms the 1979 beginning, the 1987 expansion, and the 1993 corporate transformation. Family hands and Belgian materials Nathalie Eloir took over brewery leadership in 1991, followed by Georges Levecq in 1995. The brewery’s beers are associated with Belgian hops, natural malts, yeast, spices, and well water, with the regional tourism source noting a policy of no artificial flavours, taste enhancers, or added sugar. The result is a distinctly Belgian family-brewery profile rather than an industrial brand identity. A pioneering family microbrewery whose name changed as its small cellar operation grew into a lasting Belgian brewing house. Montignies-sur-Roc, Honnelles, Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium 1979 1979: Brewing activities begin at the brewery in Montignies-sur-Roc. 1987: A new building and larger 1,500-litre vessels expand production. 1991: The company adopts the Brasserie des Rocs name, according to secondary brewery history. 1993: The cooperative becomes a société anonyme and gains bottling equipment. 1999: A new 50-hectolitre brewhouse is installed.