Brouwerij St Idesbald
Brasserie
About this Brewery
Place: Koksijde / Sint-Idesbald
St. Idesbald is a recognised Belgian abbey-beer brand connected with the former Ten Duinen Abbey at Koksijde. It commemorates Idesbald, one of the medieval abbey’s most important abbots, who led the Cistercian community from 1155 until his death in 1167.
The modern beers were formerly produced by Brouwerij Damy at Olsene. Brouwerij Huyghe acquired Damy and the St. Idesbald range in 1994, subsequently continuing production at Melle. The range includes Blond, Rousse, Dubbel and Tripel, with the beers carrying the recognised Belgian abbey-beer designation.
The story gained an additional chapter in 2020 when a small house brewery named Brouwerij Sint-Idesbald opened at Ten Bogaerde, a historic farm once belonging to Ten Duinen Abbey. Appropriately, the brewery occupies the farm’s former pigsties and produces seasonal beers in collaboration with Huyghe. The established St. Idesbald abbey-beer range nevertheless continues to be brewed at Huyghe’s main brewery in Melle.
Heritage brewery: Brouwerij Sint-Idesbald, Ten Bogaerdelaan 12b, 8670 Koksijde Principal brewer: Brouwerij Huyghe, Melle
Glasses in this collection
Curator's Note
Ten Bogaerde is better understood as a historic abbey estate with a small huisbrouwerij than as a conventional visitor brewery. The former pigsties contain brewing equipment and now operate as an informal bar and café, serving the house beers alongside a selection from Brouwerij Huyghe. A straightforward menu of freshly prepared bar food makes it a pleasant lunch stop. Dogs are warmly welcomed, including inside the huisbrouwerij.
There is no brewery shop and visitors should not expect the usual brewery experience of tours, packaged beer or merchandise. Instead, the attraction is the wider Ten Bogaerde estate: handsome historic buildings, well-kept grounds, contemporary sculptures and art installations, an arts centre and a separate restaurant. A giant bright-red monk standing beside the entrance provides an appropriately conspicuous landmark.
Ten Bogaerde lies inland from Koksijde and Sint-Idesbald, towards the E40, and is most easily reached by car. It makes an enjoyable stop on the way to or from the coast, particularly for lunch and a house beer, but is less suitable as a destination for visitors primarily looking for a brewery tour or beer shopping.