Van Eecke brewery

Van Eecke brewery (Brouwerij Van Eecke / Brasserie Van Eecke) is a Belgian family brewery based in Watou, in the municipality of Poperinge, West Flanders, about one kilometre from the French border. Its origins trace to 1624, when a castle brewery was founded for the Count of Watou. The Van Eecke family became owners in 1862 through marriage, taking over the Gouden Leeuw (Au Lion d'Or) brewery built in 1820 on the site of an earlier brewery mentioned around 1624. The family business adopted the name Brasserie Van Eecke and specialised in high-fermentation speciality beers. In 1950 the brewery began producing the abbey beers Trappist 't Kapittel, which were later renamed Het Kapittel and then Kapittel following legal action by the Trappist fathers. In 1962 the brewery passed by inheritance to the Leroy family of Boezinge, already owners of the Het Sas brewery. The Van Eecke name was retained and both breweries continued to operate. In 1981 Karel Leroy created Poperings Hommelbier, brewed with local Brewers Gold and Hallertau hops; Watou's Wit followed in 1985. As the Watou premises became too cramped, bottling and kegging operations were transferred to the modern Het Sas facility in Boezinge. The brewery is known for its Kapittel abbey beers (Pater, Dubbel, Prior, Blond and Tripel Abt), Poperings Hommelbier at 7.5% ABV, Vlasbier at 6.5% ABV and Watou's Wit at 5% ABV, produced with brewery-specific yeasts and hops grown in Poperinge. It is a member of the Belgian Family Brewers association. In 2016 Het Sas and Van Eecke were grouped under the name Leroy Breweries, and in 2026 Leroy Breweries acquired Brouwerij de Kazematten, the only brewery in Ypres. The brewery is currently run by Hendrik and Philip Leroy, representing the seventh generation of brewers.

The origins of Van Eecke brewery lie in 1624, when a castle brewery was founded for the Count of Watou. In 1795, during the French Revolution, the brewery was spared while the castle was pillaged and then burned. In 1862, the Van Eecke family became owners of the Gouden Leeuw (Au Lion d'Or) brewery, built in 1820 on the site of an earlier brewery mentioned around 1624, and the family business took the name Brasserie Van Eecke. It specialised in high-fermentation speciality beers. In 1950 the brewery began producing the abbey beers Trappist 't Kapittel. Following legal action by the Trappist fathers, the beers were renamed Het Kapittel and later simply Kapittel. In 1962 the brewery passed by inheritance to the Leroy family of Boezinge, a brewing family that already owned the Het Sas brewery. The Van Eecke name was kept and both breweries continued to exist. In 1981 Karel Leroy created Poperings Hommelbier, brewed with local Brewers Gold and Hallertau hops; the name derives from 'hommel', the local dialect word for hop. In 1985 the white beer Watou's Wit was created. As the Watou premises became too cramped, bottling and kegging operations were transferred to the modern Het Sas facility in Boezinge. In 1995 a large bottling unit was built at Boezinge, allowing bottles from both breweries to be grouped at the same site. In 2010 Leroy Breweries won several Monde Selection 2010 awards with Sas Pils, Kapittel Blonde and Poperings Hommelbier. In 2016 the Het Sas and Van Eecke breweries were grouped under the name Leroy Breweries. In 2026 Leroy Breweries acquired Brouwerij de Kazematten, the only brewery in the city of Ypres. The brewery is currently run by Hendrik and Philip Leroy, representing the seventh generation of brewers, and is a member of the Belgian Family Brewers association.

• 2026

  Acquisition of Brouwerij de Kazematten, the only brewery in Ypres.

• 2016

  Het Sas and Van Eecke breweries grouped under Leroy Breweries.

• 2010

  Leroy Breweries wins several Monde Selection 2010 awards.

• 1995

  Construction of a large bottling unit at Boezinge.

• 1985

  Creation of Watou's Wit white beer.

• 1981

  Launch of Poperings Hommelbier.

• 1962

  The brewery passes by inheritance to the Leroy family of Boezinge.

• 1950

  Start of production of Trappist 't Kapittel abbey beers, later renamed Het Kapittel and Kapittel.

• 1862

  The Van Eecke family launches high-fermentation brewing in Watou.

• 1795

  The brewery is spared during the French Revolution while the castle is pillaged and burned.

• 1624

  Foundation of the Van Eecke brewery as a castle brewery for the Count of Watou.

Traditional Belgian family brewery producing high-fermentation abbey and regional speciality beers with local hops.

• Kapittel Pater

• Kapittel Dubbel

• Kapittel Prior

• Kapittel Blond

• Kapittel Tripel Abt

• Poperings Hommelbier

• Vlasbier

• Watou's Wit

1. 1Cheers to our Belgian tradition | Leroy Breweriesleroybreweries.be
2. 2Notre histoire | Leroy Breweriesleroybreweries.be
3. 3Van Eecke brewerywikidata.org
4. 4Brasserie Van Eeckefr.wikipedia.org