De Dolle Brouwers
Encyclopedia
De Dolle Brouwers is a Belgian
brewery
, based in Esen in the province of West Flanders. The name means, literally, "the mad brewers" and this attitude is reflected in their whimsical graphics and adventurous brewing style.
The building housing the brewery is believed to date from 1835 and has a long brewing history since its inception by local doctor Louis Nevejan, having become the Costenoble brewery in approximately 1882 and remaining in that family for three generations. It was defunct when purchased by De Dolle and restored to function as a brewery in 1980.
The grounds of the brewery and tasting room are open to visitors for tours once a week, and by appointment for larger groups.
All of the De Dolle products are bottle-conditioned, and additional seasonal or special brews are also produced.
In 2000, De Dolle brewer and owner Kris Herteleer was awarded the biennial "Golden Hammer" award by Bruges-based brewing and cultural society t Hamerken for his work in restoring the brewery to function and also research on local brewing history.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
brewery
Brewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
, based in Esen in the province of West Flanders. The name means, literally, "the mad brewers" and this attitude is reflected in their whimsical graphics and adventurous brewing style.
The building housing the brewery is believed to date from 1835 and has a long brewing history since its inception by local doctor Louis Nevejan, having become the Costenoble brewery in approximately 1882 and remaining in that family for three generations. It was defunct when purchased by De Dolle and restored to function as a brewery in 1980.
The grounds of the brewery and tasting room are open to visitors for tours once a week, and by appointment for larger groups.
The Beers
- 21 (9%ABVABVABV is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* Alcohol by volume, a measure of the alcohol content of alcoholic drinks* Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria, from its IATA airport code...
) A limited-edition beer with an Original Gravity of 21 degrees Plato brewed only in 1998 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Hotel Erasmus in BrugesBrugesBruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country....
. - Arabier (8% ABV) A particularly hoppy beer, dry-hopped with whole leaf Nugget hops grown in Poperinge.
- Boskeun (7% ABV) Literally "rabbit of the woods", this strong blond Easter beer (Paasbier)hopped with Goldings takes its title from the nickname of one of the founding brothers of the brewery.
- Dulle Teve (10%) A strong golden ale, its name meaning literally "Mad Bitch." The original export label bore this translation in addition to the beer's name, but this was removed when objected to by officials in the USA, and replaced with the designation "Tripel". In 2009, the brewery announced that some bottles of one batch had been unintentionally overcarbonated, and offered to exchange them if returned. In 2004, the brewery released a "Special Reserva" version of the beer aged in Calvados barrels.
- Lichtervelds Blond (9%) A Tripel-style ale
- Oeral (6% ABVABVABV is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* Alcohol by volume, a measure of the alcohol content of alcoholic drinks* Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria, from its IATA airport code...
) - Oerbier (9% ABV) Meaning "original beer", this was the brewery's first product. It bears the motto "Nat en Straf", meaning "wet and strong". Addition of lactobacillus gives the beer a somewhat tart taste when aged. Hopped with Poperinge-grown Goldings.
- Stille Nacht (12%) Meaning "Silent Night". The brewery also releases annual "Reserva" and "Special Reserva" versions which are wood-aged and have an enhanced sour quality.
- Stout (9%) A strong dark beer considered to be a forerunner of the Belgian Stout style.
All of the De Dolle products are bottle-conditioned, and additional seasonal or special brews are also produced.
Awards and recognition
De Dolle received 4 Gold Awards in respected user ratings site RateBeer in their Best Beers of Belgium 2008 and 2 in 2009.In 2000, De Dolle brewer and owner Kris Herteleer was awarded the biennial "Golden Hammer" award by Bruges-based brewing and cultural society t Hamerken for his work in restoring the brewery to function and also research on local brewing history.