Girardin Gueuze 1882 Black Label

Girardin Gueuze 1882 (Black Label)

On the border between Groot-Bijgaarden and Sint-Ulriks-Kapelle, there is a farm where agriculture and brewery are still being combined. Until World War II, this was the most normal case in the world in the region called ‘Pajottenland’. After the war, people left the agriculture behind and decided to focus on the brewing of lambik. Not on the Lindenberg where the Girardin family keeps the tradition alive for four generations yet.

The ancestor of the brewery was Franciscus-Alexius Girardin (°1847). Franciscus-Alexius bought the farm in Sint-Ulriks-Kapelle, after having rented it since 1882. As it was usual more than hundred years ago, the brewery of Girardin started as a farm-brewery.

Seven children were born from the marriage of Franciscus-Alexius and his wife. It was the youngest son, Jean-Baptiste (°1888), who succeeded his father in 1930. Jean-Baptiste gradually let the importance of the brewery grow. He also married and had three children.

At his death in 1962, the management of the company was taken over by his only son Louis (°1924). On his turn, Louis became the father of three children. Together with his wife and his two sons, he continued the business.

The old brewery hall, which was transported by horse and cart from Wallonia, is still used today. In addition, a new brewing hall was built in 1990, originating from Bernkastel-Kuez on the Mosel.

After the death of Louis Girardin in 2000, his sons Jan and Paul continued the business. In 2012 Jan died suddenly and since then Paul and his wife Heidi run the farm-brewery together.