Brouwerij Palm

In Steenhuffel, Brouwerij Palm grew from the old De Hoorn brewing site into one of Belgium’s best-known ambassadors for amber ale. Its heritage is rooted in top fermentation, local brewing, and a decisive 1929 naming of Speciale Palm—while the brewery itself took the Palm name in 1975. Today, the historic site remains active under Royal Swinkels, with Palm and De Hoorn sharing the address. From De Hoorn to Palm Royal Swinkels dates the brewery’s origins at Steenhuffel to 1706, when the De Hoorn inn began brewing. The brewery’s early tradition centered on locally made beer, own-grown barley, and spring water. As brewing became the site’s central activity in the early twentieth century, the De Hoorn name gradually gave way to the name of its most successful beer. A Belgian amber tradition In 1929, the Van Roy family named its top-fermented beer Speciale Palm. The beer belonged to the Belgian spéciale tradition: an amber ale made distinctive by its colour and fuller character at a time when pale lagers were spreading across Europe. Its visibility rose sharply after Brussels’ Expo 58, giving Palm national prominence. A historic site with a modern owner The brewery adopted the Palm name officially in 1975. Royal Swinkels now operates Palm and the smaller De Hoorn brewery in Steenhuffel, where brewers also develop limited experimental beers. Palm Belgian Craft Brewers became part of the Dutch family brewing group in 2016, with the acquisition completed in 2021. Brouwerij Palm is defined by the survival and national rise of Steenhuffel’s top-fermented Belgian amber tradition. Steenhuffel, Flemish Brabant, Belgium 1706 1706: Brewing begins at the De Hoorn site in Steenhuffel, according to Royal Swinkels. 1929: The brewery’s top-fermented amber beer receives the name Speciale Palm. 1958: Palm gains national prominence through Brussels’ Expo 58. 1975: Brouwerij De Hoorn officially adopts the name Brouwerij Palm. 2016: Royal Swinkels acquires the majority of Palm Belgian Craft Brewers.