[jemke]

I live in a small place in Belgium, Hoegaarden, that makes the famous "Hoegaards Witbier" Beer. We have a 500 year old brewery tradition.
Belgium has an extensive beer tradition with a lot of (150+) small, traditional breweries. We are very proud of our beer and tradition.

A few years back our brewery was bought by Inbev (the biggest beer company in the world) and now the management wants to move the production to another brewery, 50miles (!) from here but it will be bottled in our town. A lot of people will lose their job and brewing such a specific beer is not the same as making cookies!

Our brewery has a good margin but Inbev is not leaded by brewers but by people who only are interesed in money. I can not believe that changing the production for 50 miles can influence the profit that much but it hurts that they have no respect at all for tradition.

It is the same as that nobody can make champaign but the Frenchmen in that specific region.
Nobody can brew Hoegaarden but us!

You can visit www.redhoegaarden.be and learn more about it and sign a petition to help!

Thanks

 

[jay ratkowski]

What's next... scotch made in Spain?

Major bummer. I'm sure the beer will never taste the same.

 

[fettouhi]

Stupidity to put it plain english.

Regards

André

 

[red5]

Hmmm I've had hoegaarden before.

There should be laws against companies (at least decent sized ones) buying out other companies because they always want to shut them down or move them and stuff. Doesn't do the share holders good, but some people need to get their priorities straight and put the workers first.

 

[jim777]

These kinds of laws only cause more unexpected grief in the long run. I'll need to go look for this beer now, as the only Beligian Ale I'm really familiar with is Duvel. I hope they change their minds and leave everything as it is! A little advertising outside the main market might be enough to raise revenue.

 

[dreaming_neon_black]

Oh well, I'll have to make do with Leffe instead.

 

[7 Dying Trees]

That's not good As "honorary belgian" i have always been proud of belgian beers, this just looks like a play to mass produce and cheapen it.

Besides, Flemish beer should NEVER be brewed in Wallonia.

 

[jim777]

I just bought a six pack this evening, it's expensive here. I'm looking forward to it.!