European Breweries History: Gouden Carolus
Although the oldest documents which are currently in the archivery of
Mechelen date from 1369, the brewery was in operation before that time,
which proves that it is probably the oldest brewery still working in Belgium.
The Van Breedam family bought the brewery “Het Anker” in 1873 and
enlarged it to one of the first modern steam-breweries. The strong interest in
the glorious period of Mechelen under the Dukes of Burgundy strengthened them
to promote the favourite beer of Emperor Charles V.
At the end of the 1990s, Charles Leclef - fifth generation of
the Van Breedam family - decided to start an important program of investments
in production and restoration of the old buildings. The buildings are open
to the general public as an active museum with pub, restaurant, and since
1999, a hotel.
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