Hoegaarden

Belgium, Belgium

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Hoegaarden is a village in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium, famous worldwide for its wheat beer, known as witbier, which has a history dating back to the 15th century.

The brewing tradition started with monks experimenting by adding orange peel and coriander to wheat beer, creating a distinctive refreshing style. By the 18th century, the village was a major brewing hub, hosting dozens of breweries despite its small size.

The local industry declined in the mid-20th century, with the last brewery closing in 1957, but it was revived in the 1960s by Pierre Celis, a local milkman who restarted the traditional brewing method in a small shed, leading to the modern Hoegaarden Brewery. The beer gained international acclaim and became a global symbol of Belgian witbier. Today, the village also offers historical sites like the Gothic Saint Gorgon's Church and brewery tours, linking its rich cultural heritage to its brewing fame.