Our story
The story of chouffe: a legendary brewery
EXPLORE OUR HISTORIC ARCHIVES
Our founder Chris Bauweraerts has compiled everything he could possibly find about Chouffe since its first batch way back in 1982. Save a few mishaps with the scanner, our ever helpful Marcel has been at hand digitising file after file of archive material. Our #ChouffeFans can now go behind the scenes in our Exclusive Chouffe Story full of anecdotes, photos and memories of our Brewery. Cheers, Marcel!
Achouffe: where it all began
The story begins in the late 1970s in Achouffe, a village tucked away in the Belgian Ardennes. Two brothers-in-law and beer lovers, Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts, decide to create their own beer in the garage belonging to Chris’ mother-in-law. With the little money they have and a steadfast commitment to the cause, they produce their first batch on 27 August 1982. The world welcomes a future beer icon: La Chouffe.
A hobby turned Belgian success story
What starts out as a hobby quickly becomes a full-time adventure. In 1986, armed with a literal recipe for success, Pierre and Chris purchase the farm in which they had been brewing for four years and make beer their livelihood. The quality of their produ
Artisanal brewing for the world stage
In 1992, ten years after its first batch, the brewery seeks to expand its capacity. It invests in a new brewing room, increasing the size of batches from 22 to 70 hectolitres and taking annual production from 3,400 to a whopping 5,000 hectolitres! At the time, the brewery produces only 75 cl bottles and 20 litre barrels of La Chouffe and Mc Chouffe. The 33 cl bottles are released almost twenty years later, in May 2009.
Marcel's big vision for brewing
In 2006, the Chouffe Brewery joins Duvel Moortgat family of brewers, enabling it to pursue growth while remaining true to its local identity and roots – just like Marcel always wanted.
This next step in our evolution welcomes new members and flavours to the Chouffe family, including:
- Houblon Chouffe (2006): the Brewery’s first-ever Belgian IPA, renamed Chouffe IPA [LINK TO PRODUCT] in 2025.
- Cherry Chouffe (2018): our soft, delicate, fruity beer.
- La Chouffe Alcohol-Free (2023) and Chouffe Lite 4.0% (2024) : new products in line with the latest drinking trends, giving all Chouffe fans the taste they love.
Visit the Chouffe Brewery
Want to discover the real story of Chouffe in the Belgian Ardennes? Book a slot and let Marcel be your guide on the hoppiest of adventures.
