Brouwerij Wilderen

Brouwerij Wilderen is a modern Belgian brewery rooted in an old agricultural estate near Sint-Truiden. Its story reaches back to a self-sufficient farm with its own brewing kettles, while the present brewery occupies restored former ox stables. The result is a distinctive meeting of heritage and contemporary brewing: historic farm buildings, a nineteenth-century distillery, and an ultramodern brewing hall working side by side. A farm with brewing in its bones The Wilderen estate is documented from 1642, and the surviving brewery buildings date from 1743. Like other substantial farms of the period, Wilderen brewed for its workers and reused spent grain as livestock feed. The brewery’s own historical account places the earlier brewing operation within the farm complex, whose buildings also included a bakery, dairy and washhouse. Restoration and revival Mike Janssen and Roniek Van Bree acquired the neglected site in 2007 and restored its historic structures. A modern brewery opened in 2011 in the former ox stables, preserving the old architectural setting while introducing a fully automated Italian brewing installation and closed-system handling of malt and brewing materials. Tradition with a contemporary signature Wilderen presents its beers as classically grounded but modern in spirit. Its range includes Wilderen Goud, Tripel Kanunnik, Cuvée Clarisse, Clarisse Rouge, Wilderen Kriek and Betty Ford. The Belgian Beer Glass Museum’s brewery and beer entries likewise place the beers in Sint-Truiden and document the brewery’s characteristic blend of historic identity, distinctive branding and present-day hospitality. A restored farm brewery where Belgian brewing heritage is carried forward in a distinctly contemporary setting. Wilderen, near Sint-Truiden, Flanders, Belgium 2011 1642: The history of the Wilderen estate is traced to this year. 1743: The surviving historic brewery buildings date from this period. 1890: An industrial distillery was added to the site. 2007: Mike Janssen and Roniek Van Bree acquired the neglected estate and began its restoration. 2011: A modern brewery opened in the former ox stables.