Silenrieux Brewery

Brasserie de Silenrieux is a Belgian brewery located in Silenrieux, near the Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure, in the municipality of Cerfontaine, province of Namur. It was founded in 1991 after research conducted in collaboration with the brewing laboratory of Louvain-la-Neuve, which led to the creation of two high-fermentation beers made from alternative grains: Joseph, a spelt beer, and Sara, a buckwheat beer. These were among the first beers of their kind, using spelt and buckwheat instead of the usual malted barley. The brewery is known for its speciality beers, particularly Joseph and Sara, which are now exported to France, England, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Japan, and the United States. In addition to these flagship products, the brewery produces a range of other beers, including La Noël de Silenrieux, Le Pavé de l'Ours, L'Autruche, La Cuvée des Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure, and La Kriek de Silenrieux. The brewery has also launched organic versions of its spelt and buckwheat beers, certified by the European organization CERTISYS, using 100% organic raw materials. Solidly anchored in the speciality beer segment, Brasserie de Silenrieux continues to innovate, offering beers without preservatives or artificial colourings. Its products are appreciated regionally and nationally in Belgium, and increasingly internationally. The brewery remains a private, independent entity, deeply rooted in its local terroir near the Eau d'Heure lakes.

Brasserie de Silenrieux was established in 1991 in the village of Silenrieux, part of the municipality of Cerfontaine in the province of Namur, Belgium. Its founding followed extensive research conducted in collaboration with the brewing laboratory of Louvain-la-Neuve. This research led to the development of two original high-fermentation beers made from alternative grains: Joseph, a white beer brewed with spelt, and Sara, a brown beer brewed with buckwheat. These were among the first commercial beers to use these grains instead of malted barley. The brewery quickly gained recognition, first regionally and then nationally. Its beers, appreciated for their unique character, began to be exported to France, England, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Japan, and the United States. Over the years, the brewery expanded its range to include other beers, such as La Noël de Silenrieux (a seasonal dark beer), Le Pavé de l'Ours (an amber honey beer), L'Autruche (a blonde beer), La Cuvée des Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure (an organic gluten-free blonde), and La Kriek de Silenrieux (a cherry gueuze). In line with growing demand for organic products, the brewery launched organic versions of its spelt and buckwheat beers, certified by CERTISYS, using 100% organic raw materials including buckwheat and spelt flours, malts, hops, and spices. The brewery continues to operate from its original location near the Eau d'Heure lakes, maintaining its commitment to quality and innovation in the speciality beer segment.

• 1991

  Brasserie de Silenrieux is founded and begins producing Joseph and Sara beers.

• 1991

  Launch of Joseph, a spelt white beer, and Sara, a buckwheat brown beer, after research with the brewing laboratory of Louvain-la-Neuve.

• Beers begin to be exported to France, England, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Japan, and the United States.

• Launch of organic versions of Joseph and Sara, certified by CERTISYS.

Speciality beers, including organic and gluten-free options, brewed without preservatives or artificial colourings.

• Joseph

  Spelt white beer, high fermentation, refermented in the bottle, 5.4% ABV; organic version 5% ABV.

• Sara

  Buckwheat brown beer, high fermentation, refermented in the bottle, 6% ABV; organic version also 6% ABV.

• La Noël de Silenrieux

  Seasonal dark beer, high fermentation, refermented in the bottle, 9% ABV.

• Le Pavé de l'Ours

  Special amber honey beer, high fermentation, refermented in the bottle, 7.5% ABV.

• L'Autruche

  Blonde beer of the Gilles, high fermentation, refermented in the bottle, 7.5% ABV; traditionally served in a stoneware pot.

• La Cuvée des Lacs de l'Eau d'Heure

  Organic gluten-free blonde beer, 5.2% ABV.

• La Kriek de Silenrieux

  Cherry gueuze, 5% ABV.

1. 1Brasserie de Silenrieux official websitebrasseriedesilenrieux.be
2. 2Wikidata entry for Silenrieux brewerywikidata.org
3. 3Brasserie de Silenrieux - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org