Micro-Brewery
History
The soldiers who fought at the battle of Waterloo in 1815 all had a common enemy:
the bacteria living in drinking water. That’s why the local brewers became valuable allies since they allowed soldiers from both parties to hydrate with dark top-fermented beer.
This beer was named Waterloo in honour of the victorious Duke of Wellington, the Prince of Waterloo.
On the occasion of the battle’s bicentenary in June 2015, the local autorities approved a project to renovate the strategic location of Mont-Saint-Jean Farm by supporting John Martin Brewery’s project to take up the challenge.
Anthony Martin and his team saw a golden opportunity to pay tribute to the armies who fought at this site and decided to brew Waterloo Beer, the Beer of Bravery on this location.
By entering into partnership with Adrien Desclée, who had relaunched this beverage a few years earlier, they joined forces to give new impetus to this beer which had given all those men the courage to risk their lives on the battlefield.
Proud of the product’s rich history, they enlisted the help of master brewer Willem Van Herreweghen to acquire the original know-how and recipe dating back to 1456.
Visit and tasting session
If you’re interested in beer and history, then don’t miss the opportunity to visit our microbrewery!
John Martin’s brewers have made every effort to acquire the knowledge of their 15th-century predecessors so as to offer an authentic product to beer lovers from all over the world. However, don’t be deceived during your visit to the Mont-Saint-Jean microbrewery by its rustic appearance, because there is some hi-tech equipment behind these elegant copper vats. In fact, the Waterloo microbrewery boasts state-of-the-art production facilities which make 10 hl batches possible.
The brew kettle features an adjustable bottom which can be aligned to the product volume processed. This hi-tech equipment has all the assets of the big installations specialised in top-fermented beer production.
From its very beginnings, Waterloo Beer has been brewed exclusively with local products.
Water is perhaps the key ingredient in the development of a beer, as it determines the final quality and
distinguishes it from other beers. The water is drawn from the well of Mont-Saint-Jean Farm, whose geographical location in the Brabant area ensures excellent water quality. After treatment, the pH becomes ideal.
In addition, Waterloo and its surroundings are situated in an agricultural region.
Long before the Battle of Waterloo, it was well known for its imposing farmsteads and abundant harvests bearing witness to the richness of the soil.
The basic raw materials are therefore locally sourced, except for the typical hops. But the latter will soon be grown in the site’s surrounding landscape too.
The first step in the brewing process is milling the malt. Then the malt is transferred to the mash tun
where it is mixed with hot water at specific temperatures. During mashing, the starches are converted into sugars.
The resulting sugar-rich liquid or wort is strained through the double bottom of the lauter tun in order to separate the wort from the spent grain.
The wort is moved into a brew kettle, also known as a copper, where it is boiled with hops.
The mixture is cooled down to a temperature of approximately 25°C in case of top-fermentated beers.
Fermentation begins once the yeast has been added. Afterwards, the beer is transferred to horizontal conditioning tanks and finally bottled; at this stage, secondary fermentation takes place.
The brewers
The production of Waterloo beers has not been entrusted to any brewer. Supervised by Willem Van Herreweghen, two young brewers have taken the destiny of the Waterloo product range in their hands.
Having worked at Timmermans Brewery for several years, Thomas Vandelanotte gained a great deal of experience.
Born into a family of brewers, John Martin’s great-grandson Edward Martin literally grew up with beer and cares deeply about the high quality of their products.
Kloris Devillé has been an expert in the brewing process for over 15 years. After his training in brewing and malting, he started working at Timmermans Brewery, where he learnt the mysterious lambic production techniques. He has been employed at Mont-Saint-Jean Farm for two years now.
This dynamic team brings authenticity, vitality and quality to the Waterloo beers, which all have their own history.
- Alcohol by volume : 8%
- Colour : Bright Cherrry
- Fermentation : Top fermentation & lambic
- Type : Red Fruit Beer
- Temperature : 4 – 6 °C
- Format : 33cl
- Alcohol by volume : 6%
- Colour : Pale blonde
- Fermentation : Top fermentation
- Type : Special farm beer
- Temperature : 5 °C
- Format : 15l keg and 20l one-way keg
- Alcohol by volume : 8%
- Colour : Brown
- Fermentation : Top fermentation
- Type : Double
- Temperature : 4 – 6 °C
- Format : 33cl, 75cl, 15l keg
- Alcohol by volume : 8%
- Colour : Blonde
- Fermentation : Top fermentation
- Type : Triple
- Temperature : 4 – 6 °C
- Format : 33cl, 75cl, 15l keg
local traditions, our brewers have relied on a master potter from the area to handcraft the chalices which give Waterloo Beer its traditional taste. It takes seven days to produce a chalice!
