Mechelen brewers Het Anker have been taken over by the Melle-based Huyghe brewery, best known for its Delirium brew. Het Anker is probably most famous on account of its Gouden Carolus and also produces several Belgian whiskies. Unfortunately, there was no successor for 5th generation family brewery Het Anker triggering the present takeover.
Brewery Het Anker has been in existence since the 19th century and is currently run by Charles Leclef, a 5th generation brewer. As Leclef does not have a successor in the family, he was forced to consider other options.
‘It is important to preserve the individuality of both breweries and their beers,’ says Alain De Laet, CEO of Huyghe Brewery. ‘With Delirium we already have a beer with a very playful character. Gouden Carolus (‘Golden Carolus’, a reference to Emperor Charles V) adds authenticity to our offerings.’
‘We are not going to change anything, the same workforce too will remain,’ De Laet clarifies. ‘Above all, I hope we can grow Gouden Carolus.’ Huyghe brewery plans to put Het Anker's beers and whiskies more on the map internationally.
Brewery Huyghe still hopes to expand in Melle
The application for expansion of Huyghe brewery in Melle (East Flanders) was recently rejected by the authorities. But expansion plans are not off the table because of the takeover of Het Anker, De Laet assures.
‘The takeover is entirely separate from the expansion in Melle. We still have the ambition of investing 50 million euros there,’ says De Laet. In Melle, Huyghe plans to add a new visitor centre and warehouses. ‘Soon we will present changes to our existing plans in the hope we can continue our project next year.’