Brouwerij De Leite

Brouwerij De Leite grew from Luc Vermeersch’s garden-shed experiments into a distinctly inventive brewery in Oostkamp. Its identity rests on a lively balance: traditional Belgian brewing alongside barrel-aged sour beers, family-made artwork, and a willingness to keep experimenting. The brewery’s story is therefore less about a single fixed style than about turning craft, creativity, and gradual expansion into a recognizable Flemish brewing house. From garden shed to brewery The brewing story began in 1997, when Luc Vermeersch installed a small 30-litre Finnish brewing setup in his garden shed. In 2008, the hobby became a business under the name Brouwerij De Leite. The first professional installation operated with an 800-litre kettle and 650-litre yeast and lager tank, producing 500-litre batches as demand steadily increased. A sour-beer direction In 2011, De Leite acquired 14 wooden wine barrels from contacts in France’s Médoc region. Those barriques enabled the brewery to develop its Cuvée series and gave sour beers a lasting place in its portfolio. De Leite’s brewing process also describes mixed fermentation and maturation in used wine and whisky barrels, linking the brewery’s modern output to patient wood-ageing traditions. Beer, family, and visual identity De Leite’s beers are closely connected with the Vermeersch family’s artistic work. The brewery identifies labels for beers including Femme Fatale, Bon Homme, Enfant Terriple, and several Cuvée beers as creations by relatives and associated artists. Its range has also expanded through brand acquisitions: Paljas joined the brewery in 2021, while Tietje followed in 2024. A Flemish craft brewery where barrel-aged sourness and family-rooted creativity sit comfortably beside traditional Belgian brewing. Oostkamp, West Flanders, Belgium 2008 1997: Luc Vermeersch began brewing in a garden shed with a 30-litre Finnish brewing setup. 2008: Brouwerij De Leite became a professional brewery in Oostkamp. 2011: The brewery expanded its capacity and began its Cuvée sour-beer direction using wooden wine barrels. 2018: De Leite installed its own bottling line. 2021: The brewery acquired the Paljas beer brand. 2024: The brewery acquired the Tietje beer brand.