Brasserie du Bocq

Brasserie du Bocq is an independent family brewery in Purnode, Wallonia, founded in 1858 by farmer Martin Belot, who first brewed beer in the outbuildings of his farm during the quieter winter months. A particularly good local water source helped the brewery develop, and over time it grew from a small regional producer into one of Wallonia’s larger independent breweries.

The brewery gradually moved away from agriculture and local door-to-door deliveries, concentrating instead on specialist, top-fermented beers with bottle refermentation. Production was consolidated at Purnode in the 1980s and the site has since been extensively modernised.

Its best-known beers include Blanche de Namur, Gauloise, Saison 1858, Triple Moine, Deugniet and Tête de Mort. Blanche de Namur takes its name from the 14th-century daughter of the Count of Namur who became Queen of Sweden and Norway.

The brewery remains family-owned, although ownership has passed from the Belot family to the Keersmaekers family.