Brouwerij Broeder Jacob

Broeder Jacob began in 2010, when Johan Claes launched the Broeder Jacob Dubbel and Tripel. The beers were developed with help from the influential Belgian brewer Pierre Celis and were initially produced for Claes by established breweries rather than in a brewery of his own.

For many years Broeder Jacob therefore operated as a bierfirma. Its beers were first brewed at Brasserie du Bocq and later at Brouwerij Anders!, while Claes gradually developed plans for an independent brewery.

That changed at the end of 2022, when Claes and business partner Jacob Oostra acquired the former Amburon brewery in Tongeren following its bankruptcy. They renovated and expanded the modern twenty-hectolitre installation and established Broeder Jacob as a brewery producing both its own beers and beers for third parties.

The brewery takes its name from the familiar song “Broeder Jacob”, also known as “Frère Jacques”. The musical theme runs through its branding, with musical notation appearing on its labels and glassware and a treble clef incorporated into the base of its glasses.

Today Broeder Jacob produces a varied range of beers from its brewery in Tongeren, including its original Dubbel and Tripel alongside infused, speciality and alcohol-free beers.