Brouwerij Kazematten: Crafting beers within Ypres’ ancient city walls

By Malin Norman Photos: Brouwerij Kazematten

Brouwerij Kazematten is the story of two families of brewers joining forces. Based in one of the oldest structures in Ypres, the brewery breathes history yet has given the location a new dimension. And it clearly works, as Kazematten’s classic Belgian ales have won numerous prestigious awards, and the brewery is a must-see amongst beer aficionados.

Ypres has a rich history when it comes to beer. In the middle of the 17th century, the city boasted almost 30 breweries and distilleries, however only five breweries reopened after the First World War. The last active brewery in Ypres closed its doors back in 1976.

Brouwerij Kazematten: Crafting beers within Ypres' ancient city walls

A successful dual-family business

In vaulted chambers of the ancient city walls, Brouwerij Kazematten has been brewing Wipers Times beers since 2014. The first brewery to open since 1976, Kazematten is the creative brainchild of visionaries Hans Depypere, CEO of St.Bernardus Brewery, and Rudi Ghequire, brand ambassador and former head brewer of Rodenbach.

“It was not easy to build a brewery at this location, which had never housed a brewery before,” says Ghequire. “We bought the equipment from an old brewery and adapted it to the basement, which is 26 metres long, 6 metres wide and over 4 metres high. There were no facilities, so we had to start from scratch. But look, we succeeded: after many months of hard work, beer was flowing through the vats and we breathed new life into these old casemates.”

Brouwerij Kazematten: Crafting beers within Ypres' ancient city walls

The founders have since handed over the project to their children, Julie Depypere and Maarten Ghequire, with Koen Hugelier as the head brewer. “The authentic and virtually artisanal process with which we brew our beer harks back to the city’s rich medieval history. I can say without hesitation that it is our ambition to see the brewery anchored in the contemporary cityscape of Ypres,” says the brewery’s manager Julie Depypere.

Brouwerij Kazematten: Crafting beers within Ypres' ancient city walls

Award-winning Belgian ales

Impressively, Kazematten’s classic Belgian ales have won 20 international beer awards since its foundation in 2014, including Brussels Beer Challenge. In the recent World Beer Awards, Wipers Times Blond, the brewery’s flagship beer, and Tremist both won silver, whilst Wipers Times Tripel and Wipers Times Dubbel received bronze.

If you are curious to hear more about the brewery’s story and this unique location, and want to try the beers, pay a visit to the brewery. It is open to visitors Fridays and Saturdays.

Brouwerij Kazematten: Crafting beers within Ypres' ancient city walls