Brewery Kazematten opened in Ypres
Author: Erik Verdonck / Published: 2014-04-09 09:23:00 +0200 / Last Updated: about 7 years ago
Brewer Koen Hugelier© BeerTourism.com
YPRES - What happens when two friends, both brewers, share a dream to establish a city brewery in the town of Ypres? And when their children are tugging at their sleeves,
Grottenbier
© BeerTourism.com
impatient to turn this dream into reality …? The answer is a gleaming brand-new brewery housed in the 'kazematten' ('casemates' or defence works), in Ypres.
The kazematten in question are located at ‘het Houten Paard’ (meaning the Wooden Horse), and were constructed around 1680. They are based on designs by Vauban, Louis XIV’s famed military engineer.
For centuries, these ‘souterrains’ were used for the storing of ammunition and weapons. Their military use continued into the 20th century. During the First World War they were converted into an officers’ mess by the British Army.
The notorious British Army newspaper, The Wipers Times – made for and by soldiers – was also printed here. Which naturally brings us to the subject of … beer.
The 14, the first 'Times'
© BeerTourism.com
Newspaper turns into beer
That's because one of the new brews from Brouwerij De Kazematten is named in honour of this irreverent war-time ‘trench gazette’. The name came about because British soldiers couldn't get their tongues
Julie Depypere
© BeerTourism.com
around the name of the frontline town ‘Ypres’. Instead, the besieged Belgian town became known to them as 'Wipers'.
The newspaper they put together in 'Wipers' was full of jokes, black humour and poetry – and the frontline soldiers of Flanders couldn't get enough of it. It's a story that still fascinates. The BBC recently visited this location to shoot a TV film about everything that went on to produce this morale-boosting newspaper.
And now's there's the beer. There are to be three brews bearing this war-time newspaper's name. The first to be launched is the Wipers Times 14 (referencing its density of 14 degrees Plato), to be followed by the Wipers Times 16 and 18 (16° and 18° Plato respectively).
The Wipers Times 14 is a blonde, top-fermented speciality beer (6.2% ABV), brewed using four different grains, and hopped only using hops from the local area. It's also finished with four herbs – which brings us back to the connection with its 'underground' newspaper namesake. On the front page of the Wiper Times, as on the label of the beer, was a picture of the Blessed Thistle (or Maria thistle). This herb is said to have healing properties, and is now being used to give flavour to De Kazematten's new beers.
Brasserie Kazematten
© BeerTourism.com
Santé, salut, tot later and merci!
It's not only the Brits' war-time newspaper that has gone underground here. The beer has done the same. The parent brewery, Sint-Bernardus, is the owner of the Grottenbier cave-matured brand, which was originally
Wipers Times 14
© BeerTourism.com
developed by Pierre Celis. He became world-famous as the creator of Belgian witbier Hoegaarden.
The Watou-based brewery has long been looking for the ideal environment to allow its Grottenbier beers to rest at a constant temperature. The traditional natural caves in Limburg are not an ideal solution, as these caverns lie some distance away from West Flanders.
But now a new option has arisen, making use of ‘caves’ formed by human hand: the Kazematten of Ypres. Starting this year, these much-storied fortifications have become the permanent location for a revamped Grottenbier brand. The beer brewed here is based on the original recipe,
A St Bernardus Brew
© BeerTourism.com
but with some changes. The Grottenbier name has been changed into Grotten Santé and the bottle has undergone a facelift. Grotten Santé is now a herbal, zesty beer with an alcohol-by-volume of 6.5%.
The addition of small amounts of ‘exotic’ herbs makes this beer slightly dry. Other beers are planned for this range, including the Grotten Santater, Grotten Salut, Grotten Tot Later and Grotten Merci. Santé - Santater – Salut - Tot Later and Merci: it does sound a little like the vocabulary used by an over-enthusiastic café-goer. No bad thing.
In the meantime, Sint Bernardus continues its co-operation with the marlstone caves in Kanne and Valkenburg, in producing the original Grottenbier.
Julie Depypere & Maarten Ghequire
© BeerTourism.com
Tandem
The story of the new brewery is very much one of brewing families working in tandem, across the generations. The Kazematten brewery is in the joint hands of Julie Depypere, the daughter of Hans Depypere
Rudi Ghequire, site manager of Rodenbach Breweries
© BeerTourism.com
– who owns the Sint-Bernardus brewery – and of Maarten Ghequire, the son of Rudi Ghequire – who is the site manager for the Rodenbach brewery.
Julie has taken charge of the administration, whereas Maarten’s focus is on production, teaming up with house brewer Koen Hugelier. The Kazematten brewery beers will be distributed with logistic support from the Sint-Bernardus brewery in Watou. Brewing is done every day of the week in Ypres, with the beers transferred into barrels and matured onsite. The bottling and distribution is then managed by Sint-Bernardus in Watou.
If you're in Ypres, you can experience these new beers for yourself – and see what difference the Kazematten's low temperature makes to the Grottenbier’s maturation process – at the Kazematten Brasserie.
This café/restaurant is just one kilometre from the brewery itself – in the same Kazematten location, close to the Menin Gate – and opened its doors to the public one year ago. In this historic venue you can also taste all the beers offered by the Sint-Bernardus Brewery. The Brasserie is right next door to a local history museum that offers a permanent exhibition on the history of the kazematten in Ypres. So you can shift from supping the Wipers Times to reading all about it, in just one short hop, as it were.
Comments
You must be logged in to leave a comment
SHARE:
You Might Like
This freemium App for IOS and Android lets you explore and find the best that Belgium's UNESCO recognised beer culture has to offer. Find breweries, bars, restaurants, festivals, events, experiences and beer shops; create you own beer trips and be your own tour guide!
Kasteel Brouwerij Vanhonsebrouck, well known for it's "Kasteel" beer range, now offers their Bierkasteel beer experience; brewery visit, event location, restaurant, bar and shop.
The Duvel Moortgat Brewery caters to everyone’s tastes with 3 different brewery experiences. From complete novice to experienced beer lover, Duvel has the brewery visit package for you.
Everything you ever wanted to know about (Belgian) beer under one roof. You get to feel, smell and taste ingredients and discover the typical Belgian beer styles. Come celebrate Belgian beer culture in heart of historic Bruges! Shop and bar are accessible without visiting the museum.
Brasserie Dubussion prides itself on tradition and taste and has opened a brand new visitors centre, the Beerstorium. Learn about the rich history, beers and brewing at the oldest brewery in Wallonia. You can visit this authentic Belgian brewery, see brewing in action, as well as taste some of their delicious brews for yourself, including their legendary Bush (Scaldis) beer range.
BLOG
POSTS
Brussels Beer Challenge 2019, and the winners are...
BRUSSELS/MONS - We’ve made our way down to the historic city of Mons (Bergen) for the eighth edition of the international Brussels Beer Challenge. A 90-strong jury is busy tasting; there are four morning sessions in a ro... [ more ]
Brugge Tripel contributes to renovation of Burgundian chapel of worship
BRUGES - This city draws you back in time to the heydays of the Burgundian era. After years of renovation works the Gruuthusemuseum has re-opened its doors. This former city palace is the showca... [ more ]
Brewers of Europe Forum 2019: Craftsmanship on the old continent
ANTWERP - Brewers from 59 different countries flocked to attend the Brewers of Europe Forum 2019 in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hall, right next to the renowned Antwerp Central Station building. ... [ more ]
Craftsmanship and balance at brewery Van Steenberge
ERTVELDE - To track down a brewer within his own domain is a high-ranking form of sports, or that’s the impression I get. After a bit of practice I spot Jef Versele, CEO of the Van Steenberge brewery, well hidden amongst... [ more ]
Brussels Beer Challenge 2018 - The results!
MECHELEN - The historic city of Mechelen, halfway between Brussels and Antwerp, is truly a hidden gem. The presence of the Dukes of Burgundy, who ruled here in the late middle ages, still permeates the ancient city centr... [ more ]
More Beer
Wipers Times 14 is the first beer from Brouwerij Kazematten. It gets its name from the famous ‘trench gazette’ written by British soldiers during the First World War. This smal... [ more ]
Beer Tourism Newsletter Signup
Enter your name and email address on the right and click "SignUp" to join.