Brasserie de la Senne: Hoppy beers, made in Brussels

By Malin Norman

Famous for its hop-forward yet nuanced beers, Brasserie de la Senne has a thoughtful perspective on brewing. The brewery’s flagship beer Zinnebir is considered to be the beer of Brussels, praised for its smooth bitterness and high drinkability. During a visit at the brewery, co-founder and head brewer Yvan De Baets highlights the importance of maintaining a hands-on approach – and not stressing the yeast.

Brasserie de la Senne is the creation of Yvan De Baets and Bernard Leboucq. They set up their first location in 2003, then operated as nomad brewers for a while using other breweries’ facilities, and eventually set up their second location in 2010 where they brewed the first batch of beer that was 100 per cent made in Brussels.

Photo: Brasserie de la Senne

Now in its third location, Brasserie de la Senne is a hardworking, award-winning brewery with a buzzing taproom. The founders’ first beer, a Belgian Pale Ale called Zinnebir that was originally brewed for the Zinneke parade in Brussels, is still the brewery’s bestseller. In fact, Zinnebir has developed somewhat of a cult following, as seen in numerous articles and reviews by beer experts, who appreciate its fruity and hoppy character.

Photo: Brasserie de la Senne

Since the outset, bitterness is key for Brasserie de la Senne. Inspired by British and German beer culture, the brewers’ idea was to make hop-forward beers with smooth bitterness, before they became trendy, and the brewers became masters of using European noble hops. “We love hoppy and bitter beers, and basically just wanted to brew beers that we like to drink ourselves,” says co-founder and head brewer Yvan. “But they need to be well-balanced.”

Photo: Brasserie de la Senne

Passion for bitterness and drinkability

Grounded in the belief that it is not necessary to brew high alcohol beers to get heaps of flavour, the brewery specialises in beers that are somewhat lighter in alcohol. Taras Boulba is a prime example; an easy-going Belgian Blonde at 4.5% ABV, generously hopped with herbal, floral and citrus notes. Light and refreshing, it is a popular thirst-quencher, especially in summer. Another example is Petit Boulba, an even lighter yet flavourful hoppy table beer at 2.5% ABV.

Photo: Malin Norman

The brewery’s beers are a hit amongst locals and beer aficionados around the world, and in prestigious beer competitions. In the latest edition of Brussels Beer Challenge, Brasserie de la Senne won no less than three medals: silver for Zenne Pils in the German Style Pilsner category, gold for Crianza in the Flanders Red Ale category, and silver for Stouterik in the Dry Stout category.

In the line-up, you will also find outstanding beers such as the aromatic and fruity Brett Saison, which is dry-hopped and fermented with added Brettanomyces for a funky touch. And Jambe-de-Bois, a liberally hopped Triple, is a sure hit – balanced and dangerously easy to drink.

Photo: Brasserie de la Senne

In constant search for the best ingredients

For this brewery, quality is at the core; in selecting superior ingredients, in the carefully supervised brewing process, and in the flavour of the final product. During our tour, Yvan highlights the importance of treating the yeast well: “We let the beer take its time. If you’re in a hurry when brewing, and stressing the yeast, it will show in the flavour. Yeast is alive and as brewers, we need to protect it from stress and just let it do its job.”

They also make sure to maintain a close relationship with suppliers, and Yvan visits the preferred hop farms every year – to check the hop fields and harvest, and to smell and feel the hops himself. “I’m particular about ingredients,” he admits. “It might be unusual for a brewer to have this kind of involvement. But the way I see it, each ingredient will have an impact on the flavour, and it’s important to choose the best. It’s also useful for the hop farmer to hear first-hand what we need – it makes us both better at what we do.”

Photo: Malin Norman

Skilled brewer with hands-on approach

The production facilities in this third (and last, according to Yvan) location were set up with a streamlined brewing process in mind. Sustainability is key, and waste products such as spent grains are fully recycled.

Photo: Brasserie de la Senne

Still brewing at least once a week, although the brewery now has a team of brewers, Yvan is adamant not to lose his hands-on approach. His passion for brewing and attention to detail is obvious. For instance, he designed the fermenters himself. “Fermenters are usually tall and narrow, but I wanted them to be shorter and wider – to give our beers more room to breathe,” he says and adds; “It’s a constant process, to try and make better beer. No matter what, it can always be improved.”

When in Brussels, make sure to visit the brewery. You can take part in a guided tour, enjoy some of the tasty beers in the vibrant taproom Zennebar, and purchase some bottles to bring home.

Photo: Malin Norman

Two beer experts share their views on Brasserie de la Senne:

“I first enjoyed Yvan's beers 14-16 years ago. I was always impressed that a Belgian brewery was producing lower ABV beers with a solid hop backbone. It was refreshing to be able to sip more sessionable, refreshing beers. I love traditional Belgian beer but this was a real eye opener. The beers themselves are always clean, fault-free and refreshing. You can't leave them alone! The new brewery is very impressive and the taproom gives you an excellent reason to lose an afternoon running through the beer card. As for Yvan, he is extremely dedicated to his craft and never stands still – constantly seeking to improve on the quality of his beers and travelling to famous beer regions to learn more about their styles. He is also a historian and a student of brewing history – his presentations are fascinating and make you reconsider earlier misconceptions regarding beer history.”

- Paul Davies, founder of AleHunters, UK ambassador for Belgium Beer Week

www.alehunters.co.uk

“Take a walk with Yvan De Baets around his brewery, Brasserie de la Senne, and the first thing you will notice is his true passion for brewing. I’ve met a lot of dedicated brewers and brewery owners through my travels, and Yvan is near the very top of that list. The next thing you will notice is the meticulous details throughout the brewery, which was purpose-built for efficiency, while holding on to long standing Belgian brewing traditions, like bottle conditioning. Lastly, you will learn about and taste their products, which are some of the most innovative and fantastic beers in the world. Yvan is a brilliant, passionate, and creative brewer that has shared his knowledge with many, and his contributions have improved not just Belgian brewing, but the global brewing community. Cheers to that!”

- Ron Smith, Beer MBA Europe Tours and Beer Education

www.BeerMBA.com
www.brasseriedelasenne.be
Instagram: @brasseriedelasenne