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As our new facilities no longer allow us to receive visitors, we no longer organise tourist visits to the Brewery. Thank you for your understanding.
THE BREWERY

Our story, since 1858.

MORE THAN 160 YEARS OF TRADITION, QUALITY AND EXPERTISE

It all began in 1858 when Martin Belot, farmer in Purnode, brew a beer for the first time in his farm’s outbuildings. At first, the beer was produced only in winter, the staff not being busy with field work outside of the high season. Moreover, the discovery in Purnode of a layer of water exceptional for its quality and quantity, was a great asset.

The brewery offered the customers a wide range of products, from table beers to strong beers through a range of densities, colors, bitternesses and tastes. The brewer assured the distribution of his products on his own and in a relatively small radius around the Brewery. In the early twentieth century, La Gauloise, currently the oldest brand still produced at the Brewery, a brown high fermented beer was brewed for the first time. From the right beginning, this beer was an undoubted success.

The Brewery was incorporated into a limited company in 1949. Independent of any Belgian or foreign brewer, it still beholds its own family nature. In 1960, the agricultural activity and the door to door deliveries of the Brewery are permanently abandoned. This is the beginning of distribution through supermarkets, drink markets and traders in beer. With the recovery of the Central Brewery Marbaix -La-Tour in 1967, the Brasserie du Bocq added two new beers to its product range: the SAISON REGAL that is currently the GAULOISE AMBREE, and whose idea gave birth in 2013 to the SAISON 1858 and the CHRISTMAS REGAL, since renamed GAULOISE CHRISTMAS. It is at this point, that the Belot family decided to direct their beer manufacturing only to the production of special high fermentation beers with secondary fermentation in the bottle.

In 1983, Brasserie du Bocq abandons the exploitation of Central Brasserie Marbaix -La-Tour, to bring all the beer production back to Purnode where the production tools have been radically modernized on the basis of equity. Taking advantage of the craze for traditional beers, Brasserie du Bocq starts exporting. And it is a success.

Indeed, Belgian beers have gained an excellent reputation worldwide. Brasserie du Bocq exports mainly to France, the Netherlands, Italy, Britain, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Australia, Japan, China, Sweden, the United States Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, etc ... In seven years, the production has doubled reaching 114.683,31 hectoliters in 2018. With a current turnover of more than € 14.8 million, the Brasserie du Bocq is one of the largest independent breweries in Wallonia.

The beers brewed and sold by Brasserie du Bocq are: BLANCHE DE NAMUR, BLANCHE DE NAMUR ROSEE, BLANCHE DE NAMUR APPLE, BLANCHE DE NAMUR HOP' N SPICE, GAULOISE BLONDE, AMBREE, BRUNE, TRIPLE 10 and CHRISTMAS, SAISON 1858, TRIPLE MOINES, DEUGNIET, TETE DE MORT TRIPLE and TETE DE MORT RED, to be enjoyed at all times.

Today in Purnode, although the BELOT family has sold its assets to the Keersmaekers family who has been producing the CORSENDONK at the Brasserie du Bocq for over 30 years, and even though the brewery has far exceeded its regional framework, nothing has changed and the values of the company remain intact. We hope and bet that this story will go on much longer and that the beers produced at the Brasserie du Bocq will fill with life the small Condroz village that is Purnode.

THE BRASSERIE DU BOCQ BEERS ARE BREWED AND MANUFACTURED ONLY WITH THE FINEST, TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS.

This is the case for the malt, fundamental for taste and determination of the color of the beer depending on its degree of roasting . This is also the case of the hop (that brings bitterness and aroma) , the yeast (which converts sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide) and water whose purity is paramount and is drawn from the water layer that extends under the brewery.

The expertise of the brewery takes place primarily in the manufacturing of the special high fermentation beers with secondary fermentation in the bottle. This technique preserves the properties of raw materials and guarantees the naturalness of beers produced without chemical additives or preservatives.

BEERS ARE LIVING PRODUCTS !

For proper maintenance , it is advisable to keep bottles cool (cellar temperature) , away from light and in a vertical position (for a good collage of yeast in the bottle bottom and avoid oversudsing during service).

THE ART OF SERVING AND ENJOYING A SPECIAL BEER.

  • 1. Preferably use the appropriate tasting glass, dry and degreased (cleanliness is essential for holding the foam).
  • 2. Serve at a temperature ranging from 7 ° to 12 ° C (4 ° C for white beer).
  • 3. Hold the glass slightly inclined and pour slowly the bottle to control the yeast deposit that comes from the second fermentation in the bottle.
  • 4. For the Blanche de Namur and the Blanche de NAMUR Rosée, pour half of the beer and, before completing, shake the bottle to loosen the yeast and thus enjoy all the aromas and natural disorder of the product.
  • 5. Observe the crown of foam, admire the color and vivacity of the beer ... and enjoy slowly.
THE BREWING

The Master Brewer mixes various types of malt that he crushes, turning the grains into flour. Crushing is done so that the straw and grain envelopes are preserved intact. The grain retains the ball (the envelope) so that it can later form a natural filter layer. Then, malt flour is mixed with warm water to obtain a thick liquid paste. This is called mashing. This paste is gradually heated to a temperature of 78 ° C. The gradual heating promotes the dissolution of the soluble components of the malt and the conversion of the fermentable sugars in starches. In the tank a sugar filled juice that is known as mash is obtained. This juice is then pumped into the filtration tank where the grains formed by the envelopes and grain straw is deposited on the bottom of the tank to form a natural filter. The grains are washed with hot water to extract all sugars. The filtered liquid, called wort, is directed to the boiling boiler. The grains are sold for livestock to feed on. At this stage, the wort is boiled for one hour. Then only we add hops. The amount and variety of hops change according to the type of beer that is produced. We also add other spices (coriander, anise, orange peel, ...) that will give a special flavor to the beer. After boiling, the wort is decanted for 30 minutes to clarify. It is then cooled to a temperature of about 22 ° C before being transferred to the fermentation tanks. At this stage, we can not talk about beer since the wort does not contain alcohol. At the Brasserie du Bocq, depending on the season, two to four daily brews are made in manufacturing; a brew represents about 22,000 liters or 220 hectoliters.

FERMENTATION & STORAGE

The Bocq brewery has 15 cylinder-conical tanks of 600 hl for fermentation - guard for a total capacity of 900,000 L. In these tanks, the yeast is introduced into the must. The fermentation lasts from 4 to 5 days. The yeast multiplies by four and the temperature gradually rises from 22 ° to 26 ° C. Wort sugars are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide (CO2). At the end of the fermentation, the beer must be cooled to 4 ° C. After fermentation, the yeast is recovered for subsequent fermentations and the excess is removed as a byproduct. The taste and aroma of the beer are formed, the wort has become beer, but a beer that is not yet accomplished. Beer called "green" still has to mature. To do this, it is then held in "custody tanks" where it will rest for several weeks at a temperature of 0 ° C. This guard allows to refine the taste of the beer and the formation of a complementary yeast deposit at the bottom of the tanks. At this temperature, a natural cloudiness will form.

FILTRATION & CANING

To eliminate the cloudiness that formed in the cold and give the beer its clarity and gloss, it must be filtered after the "custody tanks". At the Brasserie du Bocq, only the Blanche de Namur is not filtered to keep its cloudiness during the tasting. After filtration, the beer is stored in the caning tanks. Before bottling, a final operation is needed: the beers produced at the Brasserie du Bocq are top fermented beers with, mostly, a fermentation in the bottle. To help achieve natural sparkle during the fermentation, it is necessary, before racking, to add a little sugar and yeast to the beer. The fermentation can thus operate on the same principle that the primary fermentation.

THE RACKING

The bottling line has an hourly capacity of 22,000 bottles 25 cl or 33 or 8,000 75cl bottles. Empty bottles are extracted from the bins and fed to the washer where they are sterilized and cleaned of their old labels. The inspection machine then detects and removes any suspicious bottles (defects or impurities) of the production line. The filling level is constant in the filler. After filling, the bottles are capped (for bottles 25 or 33cl) or corked (for 75cl bottles). The 75cl bottles go through the wiring machine where the wire cap is placed to prevent the ejection of the cap under the action of carbon dioxide. The labels are then glued on the bottles and the expiry date, which serves as a traceability code, is printed. The bottles then return via the packer in the racks that have been previously washed. Everything is automatically palletized.

REFERMENTION IN THE BOTTLE

The bottled beer still has to stay in a warm room for 12 to 14 days to allow the bottle fermentation to take place at a constant temperature of 25 ° C. The beer is finally ready for consumption. It is now a healthy and dynamic product whose production cycle lasted about two months.

QUALITY CONTROL

The brewery has all the required alimentary certifications and is additionally certified FSSC 22000.




OUR BEERS

Over a century and a half of tradition, quality and expertise.

BLANCHE DE NAMUR 4,5% Alc. Vol.

Blanche de Namur was the daughter of Count Jean de Namur. It is said that Magnus IV Eriksson, King of Sweden and Norway, was seduced by the beauty of the princess, while heading to France in search of a prestigious wife. The princess embarked for Scandinavia in August 1335 and never saw the banks of the Meuse to become Queen of Norway , Sweden and Skåne.
In memory of her beauty, her gentleness and delicacy, the Brasserie Bocq dedicated her a white beer: " Blanche de Namur"

Cloudy, smooth and mellow, the Blanche de Namur is a wheat beer of the highest quality. From the first sip, you feel all the roundness and delicacy that make it an exceptional beer. Its qualities and the "know-how" of the brewery, earned this beer the distinction of the best white beer in the world in 2009, 2013 and 2014.
A true model of its kind, both floral and fruity, with subtle hints of coriander and orange peel. The nose is fresh, rather delicate. Serve cool, not cold, to enjoy the flavor and accentuate the elegant bitterness that wraps around the mouth throughout the tasting.
Tasting between 2 ° and 4 °C.

Bitterness 3/5 – Length 4/5 – Fruitiness 2/5 – Strength 3/5
EBU 10 – EBC 4.5
Packaging: 25cl , 33cl , 75cl , 1.5 L, barrel.


" The Best White Beer in the World " : In 2009, the Blanche de Namur was voted best white beer in the world in the international competition WORLD BEER AWARDS. In 2013 and 2014 , the Blanche de Namur won the renouned contest " International Beer Challenge" .
" The Best White Beer of Europe": In 2012, the Blanche de Namur was voted best White Beer of Europe at the WBA international competition - WORLD BEER AWARDS
BLANCHE DE NAMUR ROSEE 3,4% Alc. Vol.

A subtle blend of the unique flavor of the Blanche de Namur, to which our brewers have added natural raspberry aromas and juice. A summery flavor, not too sweet and slightly acidic to increase its refreshing power.

It is the Blanche de Namur with raspberry. The raspberry masks the bitterness of the yeast, without completely making it disappear to allow it to support the mouth and avoid excessive fruitiness. The nose is very aromatic, the raspberry is omnipresent without overpowering the whole. It is bright, cheerful, a call for Spring.

Bitterness 2/5 – Length 3/5 – Fruitiness 4/5 – Strength 2/5
EBU 6 – EBC Rose Thé
Packaging: 25cl , 33cl, barrel.
BLANCHE DE NAMUR APPLE 3,4% Alc. Vol.

Your summerlike fruity beer.

The Apple version of the Blanche de Namur.
Very soft, with a base of fresh apple juice. It will be beautiful and even more refreshing in a cocktail or a granita.

Bitterness 1/5 – Length 2/5 – Fruitiness 5/5 – Strength 2/5
EBU 7 – EBC Bouton d'Or
Packaging : 25 cl, barrel.
BLANCHE DE NAMUR HOP' N SPICE 4,5% Alc. Vol.

A subtile blend with the taste of Blanche de Namur, to which our brewers add Mosaïc hops and a hint of ginger, for a fruity and floral perfume and a refreshing taste. 4.5°, EBU 17, EBC 5 !

Bitterness 3/5 – Length 2/5 – Fruitiness 3/5 – Strength 3/5
EBU 17 – EBC 5

BLANCHE DE NAMUR RADLER LIME 3,4% Alc. Vol.

Wheat beer with lemon juice and natural lime aroma

EBU 17 – EBC 4
Packaging : 33 cl, barrel.
GAULOISE BLONDE 6,3% Alc. Vol.

Its slight bitterness gives it a slightly fruity and hoppy aroma. Not too strong but round strong character .

A powerful beer structure and a lovely strength. The bubble is fine and soft . The palate is smooth, round and fruity (pear, orange, blond tobacco, milk chocolate). In the end palate, a tangy side and a little bitterness is clearer, giving it balance with its freshness.

Bitterness 3/5 – Length 4/5 – Fruitiness 2/5 – Strength 3/5
EBU 17 – EBC 8
Packaging: 33cl, 75cl, barrel.
GAULOISE BRUNE 8,1% Alc. Vol.

Its roasted malt gives it a caramelised flavor with notes of caramel , chocolate and spices. It is characterized by a delicious balance.

The robe is very dense, between burned coffee and caramel; the foam is licorice like, beige. The nose navigates between coffee, chocolate, licorice, notes that hesitate between roasted and burned. The palate is rich, round, slightly ticklish with bitterness in the end, just to mark the length.

Bitterness 4/5 – Length 5/5 – Fruitiness 3/5 – Strength 5/5
EBU 21 – EBC 60
Packaging: 33cl, 75cl.
GAULOISE AMBREE 5,5% Alc. Vol.

The Gauloise Ambrée is characterized by a hoppy aroma. It will give you a range of varied flavors. It is highly digestible and refreshing.

This beer with its reddish robe is a little more dense than the blonde, with a more voluptuous side. The nose is marked with hints of hazelnut, caramel, orange and fruity hops. The mouth’s slight bitternes linked to the subtle liquorice, allows the pleasure to last longer. The finish is round, supple, without sweetness.

Bitterness 4/5 – Length 4/5 - Fruitiness 3/5 - Strength 4/5
EBU 20 - EBC 26
Packaging: 33cl, 75cl, barrel.
SAISON 1858 6,4% Alc. Vol.

Back to basics !

Unfiltered blonde beer with a touch of wheat and a strong bitterness. Brewed the good old way, it is very refreshing.
The only Saison beer produced in the region of Namur! The foam and bubbles are delicate and fine. Balance is the key word for this beer. It shifts between floral aromas, lime, a little broom and a lace mouth, but is robust at the same time. Refreshing as hell, this beer takes us back in time.

Bitterness 4/5 – Length 5/5 – Fruitiness 3/5 – Strength 3/5
EBU 28 - EBC 6
Packaging : 33 cl, 75 cl, barrel.
TRIPLE MOINES 7,5% Alc. Vol.

The beer for connoisseurs

This Triple is a performance, powerful and rich at once, without ever falling into excess. This is a beer that spreads its complexity, without falling into heaviness. The color is golden yellow, bright. The nose has touches of honey, candied apricot . The palate is complex, silky, intense, long, fruity with touches of almonds and dried white fruit. The alcohol content is never overpowering and the end is marked by a touch of bitterness that prolongs the pleasure again and again ...

Bitterness 3/5 – Length 5/5 – Fruitiness 2/5 – Strength 5/5
EBU 20 – EBC 9
Packaging: 33 cl, 75 cl, barrel.

DEUGNIET 7,5% Alc. Vol.

The beer for little rascals

The Deugniet is brewed with natural ingredients and slowly matured in the cellars of the brewery. This beautiful Triple is both fruity (pear, citrus, mandarin) and slightly floral (lime - acacia). It’s sweet, rich without being too alcoholic. It shows a nice balance with elegant bitterness. A cozy, well balanced beer.

Bitterness 3/5 – Length 5/5 – Fruitiness 2/5 – Strength 5/5
EBU 20 - EBC 9
Packaging 33cl, 75cl, 1.5L, barrel.
TETE DE MORT TRIPLE 8,1% Alc. Vol.

Tête de Mort is a tripel high fermentation beer. It has an alcohol content of 8.1%. It has a golden blond colour with a fine and generous foam, it is a beer with diverse and complex flavours. The taste is sweet and tasty, fruity and estery.

Bitterness 2/5 – Length 4/5 – Fruitiness 3/5 – Strength 5/5
EBU 20 – EBC 8
Packaging: 33 cl, barrel.
TETE DE MORT TRIPLE AMBER 8,1% Alc. Vol.

The TETE DE MORT TRIPLE AMBER is a smooth amber beer with flavors of malt, caramel, and hops, with a slightly spicy and bitter finish.

Bitterness 2/5 – Length 4/5 – Fruitiness 3/5 – Strength 4/5
EBU 22 - EBC 25
Packaging: 33 cl, barrel.
TETE DE MORT RED 8,2% Alc. Vol.

Tête de Mort Red is a delicious blend of red fruits and her big sister, Tête de Mort Triple. Above all, we can smell the different fruits such as cherries, strawberries and blackcurrants, which retains the character of the triple with a perfumed touch, a journey between refreshment and bitterness, a beer that brings the dead back to life!

Bitterness 2/5 – Length 3/5 – Fruitiness 4/5 – Strength 5/5
EBU 20 – EBC RED
Packaging: 33 cl, barrel.
TETE DE MORT X-MAS 8,1% Alc. Vol. End of the year Beer

Appearance: Brown with a dark robe, generous and fine white foam.
Nose : Rich with a touch of coriander and liquorice.
Taste : Round, heady, pleasant aroma’s of the special malts used.
Remark : tasting between 8’ and 12’, typical « end of the year » beer (high-end beer to enjoy with wisdom with family and friends).

Bitterness 4/5 – Length 4/5 – Fruitness 3/5 – Strength 4/5
EBU 22 – EBC 72
Packaging: 33cl, barrel.

BLANCHE DE NAMUR 4,5% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness3
Length4
Fruitiness2
Strength3

BLANCHE DE NAMUR ROSEE 3,4% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness2
Length3
Fruitiness4
Strength2

BLANCHE DE NAMUR APPLE 3,4% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness1
Length2
Fruitiness5
Strength2

BLANCHE DE NAMUR HOP' N SPICE 4,5% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness3
Length2
Fruitiness3
Strength3

BLANCHE DE NAMUR RADLER LIME 3,4% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness3
Length2
Fruitiness3
Strength3

GAULOISE BLONDE 6,3% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness3
Length4
Fruitiness2
Strength3

GAULOISE BRUNE 8,1% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness4
Length5
Fruitiness3
Strength5

GAULOISE AMBREE 5,5% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness4
Length4
Fruitiness3
Strength4

SAISON 1858 6,4% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness4
Length5
Fruitiness3
Strength3

TRIPLE MOINES 7,5% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness3
Length5
Fruitiness2
Strength5

DEUGNIET 7,5% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness3
Length5
Fruitiness2
Strength5

TETE DE MORT TRIPLE 8,1% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness2
Length4
Fruitiness3
Strength5

TETE DE MORT TRIPLE AMBER 8,1% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness2
Length4
Fruitiness3
Strength5

TETE DE MORT RED 8,2% Alc. Vol.

Bitterness2
Length3
Fruitiness4
Strength5

TETE DE MORT X-MAS 8,1% Alc. Vol.

« End of the year Beer »
Bitterness4
Length4
Fruitiness3
Strength4
Our Values

  • Respect: for ourselves (safety and well-being), for others (customers, suppliers, consumers, colleagues), for society, for the environment and for our heritage (1858).
  • Quality: our know-how, our traditions and the quality of our products and services for our customers and consumers are at the heart of our concerns.
  • Passion: we are a team of passionate professionals
  • Discipline: Discipline, structure and performance are the only way to repeat our successes.
  • Good mood: We work in a family spirit. We love simplicity and good mood is our source of energy. We can’t take ourselves too seriously – we are just brewers.
News

Find here our latest news

Latest News

Yvoir: la brasserie du Bocq gagne du temps en plein embouteillage -L'Avenir (lavenir.net)

Gauloise from Brasserie du Bocq

A whole new bottelhall for Brasserie du Bocq ?

Who was Blanche de Namur

To be drunk chilled, without too much fuss

Change in the shareholder structure of the Brasserie du Bocq

The Evolution of Belgian Beers in the world

Mr Baudouin Belot

Médaille d’Or Brussels Beer Challenge 2019

Après le « World Best Wheat Beer » en 2009 et en 2012, la Golden Medal au concours « International Beer Challenge » en 2013 et en 2014, et déjà l’Or au Brussels Beer Challenge de 2016 et en 2017, notre BLANCHE DE NAMUR vient de remporter, ce lundi 18 novembre, et pour la troisième fois lors les 4 dernières éditions – ce qui est plus qu’exceptionnel ! - la Médaille d’Or lors du BRUSSELS BEER CHALLENGE 2019 dans la catégorie « Bière Blanche - WitBier ».

C’est dire si la Brasserie du Bocq sait refaire l’histoire de cette Reine qui vécut à la Citadelle de Namur jadis en lui permettant, année après année, de porter à nouveau et très régulièrement sa plus belle couronne. Ces récompenses au niveau international sont une preuve incontestable du haut niveau de qualité des bières produites au sein de notre Brasserie. Si notre savoir-faire est ici salué, il est le fruit d’un travail de tous les jours et de toute une équipe ; il s’agit également d’une reconnaissance d’un succès croissant grâce à la confiance que vous, nos clients et fidèles partenaires, vous nous témoignez.

Nous tenons ici à vous en remercier de tout cœur, La Blanche de Namur reste vraiment « LA MEILLEURE BIERE BLANCHE DU MONDE » !

Si vous souhaitez plus d’infos sur le « Brussels Beer Challenge », surfez sur https://www.brusselsbeerchallenge.com; ne manquez pas de surfer aussi sur notre site www.bocq.be.

 

Mixology Taste Forum 2016 Winner
Blanche de Namur elected as Excellent and rates as #1 at the Mixology Taste Forum 2016 in Germany

 

La Grande balade
Les produits de la Brasserie mis à l’honner par Julien Lapraille et RTL Tvi dans la dernière émission de la Grande balade

La brasserie du Bocq investit 16 millions€ dans un deuxième site
La brasserie du Bocq se lance dans la construction d’un tout nouveau bâtiment, à la sortie du village de Purnode (Yvoir). Les activités seront désormais réparties sur deux sites. Un projet colossal qui enterre l’idée d’une future délocalisation.

La brasserie du Bocq investit 16 millions€ dans un deuxième site

Phone Number
+32 (0) 82 61.07.80
Fax Number
+32 (0) 82 61.17.80
Address
RUE DE LA BRASSERIE, 4 - B-5530 PURNODE - BELGIQUE
Legals
BRASSERIE DU BOCQ s.a.
BE 0402.530.105
RPM Liège, division Dinant
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Une bière brassée avec savoir se déguste avec sagesse.
Bier met liefde gebrouwen, drink je met verstand.
A beer brewed with passion, you drink it responsibly.