The Liefmans home brewery is one of the rare breweries which still produce entirely natural beer. Fermentation is done in open tanks.

The first written reference to the brewery goes back to the year 1679. Consequently we know for sure that the brewery is over 300 years old. Around 1770 a certain Jacobus Liefmans establishes himself as a brewer in Oudenaarde.

In 1905, due to trouble finding a successor, the brewery was sold to the businessman Pierre van Geluwe. In those days the brewery was situated near the Krekelput. In the deed of sale it was expressly stated that the name Liefmans should be preserved at all times in view of the ancient tradition in Oudenaarde.

When the brewery had to be expanded once again in 1923 and problems arose with respect to water collection, premises were purchased on the banks of the Schelde, notably near the Aalststraat.

Around 1930 they moved into the new premises and for the very first time the largely renovated brewing equipment was used to brew.

After the sudden and unanticipated death of Paul van Geluwe de Berlaere in 1972, succession became once again a problem. In 1974 the family finally came across the major English Vaux conglomerate which showed interest as it was looking for channels to introduce its beers on the Belgian market.

The English have no doubt left a clear mark on the corporate identity of the Liefmans brewery.

In 1985 the brewery became the property of a Belgian-Zairian bank and the malt-house De Wolf from Aalst.

In the late 1980's the new owners decided to resell the brewery. The takeover in 1990 by breweries Riva from Dentergem secured the future of this historic brewery and gave it a new aura. The brewing premises and equipment have been upgraded and the brewery, with its rich industrial archeology, will from now on be open to the public.

The beer fanatics can come down here to witness how industrial archeology and state of the art technology go hand in hand. In taking this initiative, the management intends to contribute to the preservation of Belgium's beer patrimony.

Beer fanatics can witness here how industrial archeology and up to date technology can go hand in hand. In this way the management wants to contribute to the conservation of the Belgian beer inheritance.

The special brewing process still goes on according to a recipe of over three centuries. All ancient equipment like the boilers, the vessels of cooling and the baudelot are always in red copper, which is rather rare and typical for English breweries.

Fermentation still takes place in open red copper tanks and the yeast mounting to the surface is skimmed off daily. After 7 days of fermentation this young beer will mature during many months in the cool cellars of the brewery.

Brewers Website: click here

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