Antwerp's Beer Culture: A Journey Through Time

Discover the captivating tale of beer's role in Belgium's history, culture, and society, with a spotlight on the city of Antwerp.
This video guides you through the evolution of brewing and beer consumption in Antwerp.
It covers various aspects, including the historical importance of beer, its role as a staple during the Middle Ages, the growth of brewing in Antwerp, the challenges faced over the centuries, the impact of world wars, and the current state of Belgian beer culture.
Today, only two breweries remain within Antwerp's borders: the iconic 'De Koninck Brewery' and the 'Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie.'
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:32 Middle Ages - Antwerp
2:04 Van Schoonbeke - The Little Island
3:24 Taverns in Antwerp in 1580 - Mandement van Bacchus
4:10 18th century - Introduction of coffee and tea
4:28 19th century - Introduction of Pilsner beer
5:02 Belgian beer culture influenced by politics
5:48 Breweries in 1900
6:16 World War I, economic crisis, World War II, consolidation
7:07 Belgian Beer culture
7:37 De Koninck Brewery
8:26 Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie
9:06 Conclusion
SOURCES:
"Het Mandement van Bacchus, Antwerpse kroegentocht in 1580", Verhuyck Paul, Kisling Corine
"Antwerpen Bierstad, acht eeuwen biercultuur", Derycke Ivan
"Tournée Generale, De geheimen van het Belgische bier", Degrande Geert
"From Monasteries to Multinationals (and Back): A Historical Review of the Beer Economy", Poelmans Eline, F.M. Swinnen Johan
"From Wine to Beer: Changing Patterns of Alcoholic Consumption, and Living Standards, in Later Medieval Flanders, 1300 - 1550", Munro John H.
"Hollandse bezoekers in de haven van Antwerpen voor 1585", Asaert Gustaaf
"Belgium’s historic beer diversity: should we raise a pint to institutions?", Poelmans Eline, Taylor Jason E.
www.dekoninck.be/
seef.be/
felixarchief.antwerpen.be/
brouwershuis.org/
#antwerp #antwerpen #geschiedenis #history #beer #belgium #belgianbeer #belgië #brewers #breweries #unesco

[@antwerpstories]

Chapters: 00:01 Introduction 00:32 Middle Ages - Antwerp 02:04 Van Schoonbeke - The Little Island 03:24 Taverns in Antwerp in 1580 - Mandement van Bacchus 04:10 18th century - Introduction of coffee and tea 04:28 19th century - Introduction of Pilsner beer 05:02 Belgian beer culture influenced by politics 05:48 Breweries in 1900 06:16 World War I, economic crisis, World War II, consolidation 07:07 Belgian Beer culture 07:37 De Koninck Brewery 08:26 Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie 09:06 Conclusion

[@DaveBP2187]

In Colombia (and most likely in all Latin America) we use to say that German beers are the best ones, about a century ago many germans moved here and founded many breweries. But living in Antwerp thaught me that is just a myth, Belgian beers are far more better that German ones, whithout any doubt. As we say in Colombia "the one who doesn't know God, prays to any random saint". As for the Antwerp ones, yeap. 't Seef or Bolleke are realy good ones but I always chose for "Triple d'Anvers". I just love it.

[@antwerpstories]

Thank you for sharing your experience with Belgian and Antwerp beers from a Colombian point of view. I couldn’t agree more, but, of course, I am biased 😄

[@crowsandravens8998]

Cheers! 🍺🍺🍺

[@Nicho2020]

Beer culture and chocolate culture - what a civilised country!

[@MrCanis4]

And don't forget Belgium fries. They were french speaking Belgian soldiers, not French soldiers who fried potatoes in oil.

[@alphasquare]

Very interesting video. It makes me want to go have a beer in a cafe in Antwerp. 🍺😀

[@antwerpstories]

Excellent idea. You'll have plenty of choices!

[@sandersijssens4175]

Best thing is the seefhoek pronounced siefhoek as the seef part comes from save corner in the first place

[@antwerpstories]

Yes, the name originates from a pub named “Bij Trien uit de Pothoek” located at the corner of the “Lange Beeldekenstraat” and the “Pesthofstraat” where the local “Seefbier” was served. By the way, the Seefhoek was once the place of residence of the Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh, the cartoonist Willy Vandersteen, the soccer player Rik Coppens and the artist Panamarenko. Maybe an interesting topic for a next video. You can find more information (in Dutch) about Seefbier here nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seef_(bier) and about the Seefhoek here: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seefhoek

[@sandersijssens4175]

@@antwerpstories thanks for the extra history, really enjoying your videos. I am reading my greatgreat grandfathers memoires (Henri Martin Gylsen) and got more interested in Antwerps history especially from the port where I work as well.

[@antwerpstories]

Many thanks for the compliment. It's very nice to know that people enjoy the video's. A video about the history of the port of Antwerp is on our to-do-list. 🙂@@sandersijssens4175

[@namelastname2449]

Puaj

[@cptgone]

There is no proven threshold at which booze is risk-free, according to the WHO. “We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. It doesn’t matter how much you drink-the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage” Antwerp keeps persecuting cannabis culture, while pushing the hard drug that is alcohol.