De Halve Maan

The Halve Maan Brewery is the only family brewery in the center of Bruges that is still active. It is situated in the heart of Bruges and offers visitors daily guided tours of both the modern day brewery and their fascinating museum. The brewery was founded in 1856 by Leon Maes, who is also known as Henry I. Six generations later; it is still run with one goal in mind, to offer superior beer both in quality and in taste while respecting the traditional brewery art. In 2005, the brewery underwent a thorough renovation and modernization. A unique new beer was launched under the name Brugse Zot. In fact, today Brugse Zot is one of the only beers brewed in Bruges' town center. In the 1980s when the interest for tradition regional beers increased, Veronique, daughter of Henry IV, Launched a new special blond beer of high fermentation. This unique beer was a bit stronger than other beers which lent to its name of Straffe Hendrik, or Strong Henri. In 1988, the Riva in Bruges took over the beer brand. Straffe Hendrik was brewed by the Riva in Bruges until 2002. In the end of 2008, Straffe Hendrik was brought back into production by Halve Maan Brewery following the original recipe created by the Maes' family in the 1980s. Today, Straffe Hendrik is the last authentic Tripel Ale of Bruges. Straffe Hendrik is a bitter Tripel Ale that boasts an impressive nine percent alcohol volume. Bruges Tripels are full bodied with an amber color that comes from the darker roasted malts that are used in the brewing process. This beer also undergoes a longer boiling period and uses more hops than traditional Belgium Tripels, creating a much fuller bodied beer. Straffe Hendrik Wild is a wilder version of Halve Maan Brewery'sStraffe Hendrik with the unique addition of Brets.