Description
Xavier, François, Bertrand, Alexandre and Laurent. The order does not matter. Five Namur denizens, from five different backgrounds, but above all, five personalities who laid the groundwork for an ambitious project from the outset – a project which nonetheless got off to a cautious start.
The people of Namur are known for their caution. They do not venture easily outside their comfort zone nor do they parade their aspirations. They are proverbially slow, for that matter, but by the same token, once they take the plunge, they are in it for the long haul.
Brief flashback: the brewery’s five founders got together by sheer chance back in 2012.
They shared an attachment to their city, to design and distinctive traditional products, so they decided to create a beer in Namur with a strong identity and a taste they had not yet encountered in a speciality beer. The project was off and running.
One meeting followed another, evening after evening, and never the same. No minutes were taken, apart from occasional jottings on beer cartons… And yet this home brew gradually started to raise a storm.
As they discussed ideas in a casual manner, they spelled out what they wanted in no uncertain terms: a beer with character, with the right touch of bitterness and a nose veering towards citrus fruit, in a natural way, if at all possible. On top of that, their dream beer had to be refreshing and thirst slaking.
Alex, the brewing engineer, got down to work to concoct and present a beer to the other four in line with what they had discussed. A few brews and tastings later, he had managed to produce a beer that was unanimously hailed and would go on to become the “Houppe.” That was in May 2013.
The watchword was conviviality, so it was vital to be able to share the beer among friends. But sharing 33 cl is no easy matter, especially when you are dying of thirst and there are a lot of friends. Whence the idea for a 75 cl bottle and the slogan: “Slight detours, great moments.” And even though the brewery now produces 33 cl bottles and kegs, the 75 cl format is still the one in favour in Namur, attesting to the need to share moments relaxing with friends, always true to our values.
The Houppe’s success gave things a boost, and a genuine Brewery project gradually emerged, reconnecting Namur to its proud brewing tradition. The Brasserie de Namur has now set up shop at the foot of the Citadel, a stone’s through away from the city centre.
