Overijse

Overijse lies southeast of Brussels in Flemish Brabant, in the valley of the River IJse and on the edge of the Sonian Forest. It is particularly associated with the Druivenstreek, or Grape Region, where table grapes were traditionally cultivated under glass in large heated greenhouses. That heritage remains an important part of the town’s identity and is explored at the Dru!f visitor centre.

Overijse also has a surprisingly substantial brewing past. Several former brewery sites survive in the town, including the Vrijheidscamme, Brasserie du Béguinage and Brouwerij Lootvoet. The Lootvoet site had been used for brewing since the nineteenth century and was acquired by the Lootvoet family in 1922. From the 1950s it became particularly important as the brewery responsible for Leffe, produced in cooperation with Stella Artois. Brewing at Lootvoet eventually stopped around 1980.

The former Lootvoet buildings still stand on the Waversesteenweg. Although converted largely to residential use, the complex is recognised as architectural heritage and retains visible traces of its brewing history, including surviving brewery buildings and part of a former brewing vessel displayed in the courtyard.