Like Germany, Belgium also has an eventful and diverse beer history. The craft, which was already practiced by monks in the Middle Ages, is still highly valued today and is appreciated by gourmets and beer lovers alike. Belgian beer is known all over the world and is characterized by its strong character, high alcohol content and sophisticated taste. A traditional brewery in Belgium is Van Steenberge.
The history of the brewery began in 1784. Jean Baptiste de Bruin founded the brewery and produced fine beer under the name De Peer. After his death, the reins passed to his widow, who at the end of her life passed the reins on to her cousin Jozef Schelfaut. The first Van Steenberg to head the brewery came some time later when he married Jozef's daughter Margriet. Van Steenberg was actually a politician and scientist, but his work as a microbiologist at the brewing school in Ghent made him the ideal candidate to run a brewery. He combined entrepreneurial skills with a good feel for the beer market and helped the brewery to grow in success. The brewery survived both world wars without major damage. Modernizations and expansions increased the possibilities and the range of products was expanded. After the brewery took its first steps under the name De Peer, the brewery was then called Bios. The name Van Steenberge was introduced by the son of Margriet and her resourceful husband.
Today, the seventh generation of the family runs the brewery and continues the culinary legacy of their ancestors with heart and passion. The beer, which made the brewery a good name in the national and international beer scene, is brewed using traditional methods. The latest technology and a repertoire of recipes handed down from generation to generation complement the brewing art of the centuries with a pinch of modernity. Delicious beers such as the world-famous Gulden Draak are brewed from the finest raw materials. The second fermentation is typically Belgian: after the brewing process is complete, the beer is bottled and given an extra portion of yeast and sugar. With the help of this small addition, the beer in the bottle starts a second fermentation, which gives the brew its complexity and its round, full-bodied body. The beers are stored for two weeks, but are suitable for much longer storage times. Three months make the aroma mild and fruity, eighteen months deepen the taste and increase the volume.
No matter whether you drink your Gulden Draak fresh or store it in your cellar for a few months, it is always a delight!
Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Lindenlaan 25
B-9940 Ertvelde
Belgien 
