Palm Breweries

Palm Breweries grew from a historic brewing site in Steenhuffel, Flemish Brabant, into a distinctive Belgian brewery group built around traditional fermentation. Its identity is tied to the amber, top-fermented beer that became Speciale Palm in 1929, while its later history widened to include Rodenbach, Boon and other historic Belgian brewing sites. The brewery’s story is therefore one of continuity: an old village brewing tradition adapted without abandoning its Belgian character. Steenhuffel roots Brewing at the former De Hoorn inn in Steenhuffel is documented from 1747. After the site was badly damaged during the First World War, it was rebuilt under the Van Roy family, who had acquired the business through marriage in 1908. The brewery remained focused on top-fermented beer while lager brewing was reshaping the Belgian market. The Palm name In 1929, Arthur Van Roy gave the brewery’s Belgian amber beer the name Speciale Palm. The beer later gained national prominence around Brussels’ Expo 58, helping establish Palm as a recognizable example of the Belgian spéciale tradition. The brewery itself adopted the Palm name in 1975. From brewery to group Palm expanded beyond Steenhuffel during the late twentieth century. Its brewing interests came to include historic sites in Roeselare, Bruges and Lembeek, with the group associated with four traditional fermentation methods. In 2016, most of the brewing activities were transferred to Dutch brewer Royal Swinkels, while Palm continued to be brewed at Steenhuffel. A Steenhuffel brewery whose enduring signature is Belgian amber beer shaped by top fermentation and a long, adaptable brewing tradition. Steenhuffel, Flemish Brabant, Belgium 1747 1747: Brewing at the former De Hoorn inn in Steenhuffel is documented. 1908: The business passes into the Van Roy family through marriage. 1929: Arthur Van Roy names the brewery’s Belgian amber beer Speciale Palm. 1975: The brewery adopts the Palm name. 2016: Most Palm brewing activities are transferred to Royal Swinkels.