Cooperative · Local supply chains
The project
A cooperative brewery rooted in its village. Local ingredients, reused resources and a project shared with its members.
From field to beer, then back to the farm
The malting barley grows at Ferme du Ponceau, just a few dozen metres from the brewery. It is malted in Gembloux, stored in Perwez and then used in our brews.
After brewing, the spent grain returns to the farm to feed the livestock. The manure, in turn, fertilises the barley fields. The materials thus continue their cycle within the same village.
A participatory cooperative
Cooperative members help finance the brewery and its investments, including solar panels and equipment that reduces water and electricity use. They also support the project through their ideas, meetings and role as ambassadors.
Crowdfunding also allows people outside the cooperative to support specific projects, such as new tanks, brewing equipment or limited editions.
Local ingredients
The malt comes from barley grown at Ferme du Ponceau and the Boortmalt maltings in Gembloux. Depending on the varieties we need, we choose Belgian hops, including Magnum and Goldings from HOPBEL Boeraeve in Poperinge.
The team also harvests hops at Houblons du Monceau in the neighbouring municipality of Éghezée. Used fresh, they become our seasonal harvest beers.
Saving water and cleaning products
The facilities were designed to reduce the water needed for brewing, bottle washing and cleaning. Enzyme-based products replace some cleaning with caustic soda and acid. The bottling machine was also chosen to limit energy use.
Recovering heat, generating electricity
The laboratory and meeting room sit above the warm conditioning room, and the offices above the boiler. The building's insulation and this layout reduce heating needs. Heat from the refrigeration unit is recovered to warm the fermentation room.
2024: moving to returnable bottles
In January 2024, the brewery began moving to returnable bottles and crates, with BringBack handling washing and logistics. Frédérique Hupin reports on the transition.
Working with local artisans
Cheeses, pâté and dry sausage bring the brewery's work to the table. Local producers use Rio and Thor in their recipes. An artisan in Thorembais also makes bottle openers, display stands and wooden objects.
Tradition, quality and sharing
Belgian brewing tradition and the memory of Meurice-Hanquet guide the project. Technology supports beer quality and resource savings.
Human values
Cooperation, respect for craft and support for charitable causes.
Environment
Short supply chains, local ingredients, reuse of spent grain and wastewater management.
Brewing
Optimised facilities, energy-saving processes and quality control.
Sharing
Visits, events, internships, beer appreciation courses, tastings and the chance to create your own beer.
Our commitments and awards
Belgian beer brewed in Wallonia
Official recognition as an artisan
Belgian Hops
COCITER: green, local, citizen-owned electricity
Prix Juste Producteur
Pure Local Pilsen
Belgian Beer of Wallonia
La petite sœur, 2018 gold medal