Brouwerij Bosteels

In 1791, before Belgium was even a country, Evarist Bosteels founded a brewery in Buggenhout. For over 200 years and through seven generations, the Bosteels family dedicated themselves to brewing, with some members even serving as town mayors. The business was passed down through the family, navigating challenges like the mid-20th century shift in demand towards pilsners. It was during this period that the brewery solidified its focus on specialty beers. Key innovations came from later generations. In the 1980s, Ivo Bosteels revived the historic Pauwel Kwak beer, famous for its distinctive coachman's glass. His son, Antoine, later developed the brewery's most famous creation, Tripel Karmeliet. Inspired by a multi-grain bread, he was stunned to discover his three-grain recipe was nearly identical to a 1679 recipe from a local Carmelite monastery. Launched in 1996, Tripel Karmeliet quickly became a global success. After two centuries of family ownership, the playbook took a significant turn. In 2016, Brouwerij Bosteels was acquired by the global beverage giant AB InBev for a reported $225 million. The deal allowed the iconic brands to join a larger distribution network, while seventh-generation leader Antoine Bosteels remained involved to ensure the continuity of the brewery's legacy.