Hops and hop shoots from Asse and the surrounding area have now been recognised as a Flemish regional product. The Flemish Centre for Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing (VLAM) made the award celebrating the local hop growing industry. Hops are used for many purposes but above all to make beer, and their cultivation in the region dates back to the 15th century.
Hops are also grown in Asse, but also in Affligem, Opwijk, Dilbeek, Steenhuffel, Gooik and Aalst. “Hops have a long history in our region,” says Joris Vanderveken, chair of the local hop association. “For hundreds of years, we were the hop storehouse of Europe.”
That story dates back to the 15th century. “That was when the monks at Affligem Abbey began laying out hop gardens. At first, hops were used as a medicinal herb, but people soon realised that they were also very useful for preserving beer for longer. What’s more, it had a pleasant aroma and gave the beer a lovely head,” says Joris.
Foreign competition
Today, hop cultivation has lost much of its importance. After several successful centuries, 100 years ago there were only two regions in Flanders where hops were still grown: Asse-Aalst and the area around Poperinge in West Flanders.
“Due to competition from abroad, hop cultivation here declined, but about ten years ago, the local hop association replanted several old hop varieties in a number of hop fields in the region. We now have 10 hectares of hops and hop shoots once again. We harvest the shoots in the spring for restaurants, and in September there are the hop cones, which go to the breweries.”
Breweries
Joris hopes that recognition as a regional product will encourage breweries in the region to work with local hops. “We’re already working with Affligem Brewery, Grimbergen Brewery, local breweries from Dilbeek and Asse, and a few breweries from Aalst. Things are already picking up nicely, and we think this recognition could give us a further boost to our own hopes.
“What’s more, the hop fields are a lovely feature of the landscape for cyclists and ramblers. There’s also a fascinating heritage story behind them. This is a product that cannot simply be replaced by something from abroad,” Joris concludes.