Our history
Brewing lambic beer for more than 200 years and six generations
Since our humble beginnings as a farm-brewery, the Lindemans family has spent over two centuries committed to brewing exceptional lambic beer. Six generations later, our commitment to authenticity, quality and craftsmanship remains unchanged.
1st Generation
Joos Frans Lindemans (1792-1865)
Francisca Josina Vandersmissen (1796-1868)
1822
The Lindemans family legacy is born
In 1822, Joos Frans Lindemans marries Francisca Josina Vandersmissen, daughter of a farmer-brewer, and together they take over her family’s farm, Hof ter Kwadewegen.
Brewing starts as a humble craft for family and farmhands, but in their first year they produce an impressive 360 barrels (around 500 hectolitres). The brewhouse is simple, containing two vats, a mixing tray, and two cooling trays.
1832
The first years of the Lindemans family brewery
The fledgling Lindemans Brewery grows steadily. Historic records describe it as “a brewery equipped with two boiling tanks; one of 400 hectolitres and 20 litres, the other of 21 hectolitres and 40 litres, two tanks of 25 and 21 hectolitres, and two cooling trays in good condition.” At this time, the brewery produces 20 to 30 brews annually, a remarkable achievement for its era.
1840
Joos Frans, Mayor of Vlezenbeek
Beyond brewing and farming, Joos Frans Lindemans serves as mayor of Vlezenbeek. His commitment to community marks the beginning of a tradition of giving back, a value that still defines Lindemans Brewery today.
2nd Generation
Joos Frans “Duke” Lindemans (1826-1901)
Sophie Borremans (1832-1882)
1865
The Second Generation
Duke takes over the family farm and brewery from his parents. He becomes the second generation of Lindemans brewers and immediately gets to work expanding the brewery. His vision is clear and will set the stage for the next century of Lindemans lambic brewing tradition.
1869
Building the Lindemans dream
Duke builds the farmhouse and the old lambic brewhouse which still exist today. The property extends over more than 75 hectares of farmland and meadows. In winter, farm workers assist in the brewery when agricultural work slows. At this time, Lindemans produces lambic and Faro-Lambic. Fruit lambics? Still a distant dream.
3rd Generation
Theofiel Martin Lindemans (1870-1955)
Victorine de Gens (1868-1925)
1901
The Third Generation
Theofiel Lindemans, the youngest of Duke and Sophie’s 9 children, takes the helm as head of the Lindemans farm-brewery. His era spans the Art Nouveau movement (1890–1914) that will later come to define the Lindemans brand. Theofiel will also lead the brewery through World War I, the Roaring Twenties, and the tumultuous post-war period.
1920
Brewing more, farming less
Agricultural activities gradually decline as brewing becomes the family’s primary focus.
4th Generation
Emiel Jozef Lindemans (1901-1956)
Alice de Voghel (1902-1999)
1930
The Fourth Generation
Theofiel passes the torch to his son Emiel. Just a decade later, World War II begins, bringing new challenges for Lindemans Brewery.
1940-1945
War comes to Lindemans Brewery
During WWII, brewing slows to one batch per month. To protect vital equipment, the copper brew kettle is hidden beneath a pond on the property, a clever move that ensures its survival. After the war, it is restored and used for another 40+ years.
5th Generation
René Lindemans (1939-present)
Nestor Lindemans (1941-2008)
1956
The Fifth Generation
When Emiel dies, farming ceases entirely. His teenage sons, René and Nestor, must finish their studies before taking over. In the meantime, master brewer Triphon Antoons keeps the lambic tradition alive. He later becomes their mentor.
1961
The first Oude Kriek,
made with Schaarbeekse cherries
René and Nestor craft their first Oude Kriek using Schaarbeekse sour cherries, prized for their intense flavour and deep ruby hue. The beer matures in oak barrels and undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, a hallmark of authenticity.
1970
International expansion ahead!
Word of the Lindemans brothers’ exceptional brews spreads and France becomes their first international market. This milestone marks more than just geographical expansion. It represents a validation of their lambic craftsmanship and the beginning of Lindemans' transformation to an internationally acclaimed lambic brewery.
To support this growing demand and diversify their operations, the brothers also launch beverage wholesale activities.
1978
A new Kriek is born...
To make Kriek accessible worldwide, René and Nestor innovate. They create a pasteurized version using freshly squeezed cherries that prevents refermentation in the bottle. This breakthrough opens doors to Europe and overseas markets, blending tradition with modern ingenuity.
1980
A time of innovation and expansion
The new decade brings fresh ideas. Lindemans begins producing Kriek in kegs and expands exports. 70% of production now serves international markets, with the USA, France, Switzerland, and Germany as key destinations.
1992
Building for the future
Success demands space, and space demands vision. The construction of a new brewhouse in 1992 demonstrates the Lindemans family's confidence in their future and their commitment to quality at scale. A highlight of this expansion is their barrel room, where 1,200 oak barrels, each holding 600 liters, stand like sentinels guarding the tradition of spontaneous fermentation. The new brewhouse isn’t just about capacity; it is about ensuring that future generations can continue brewing in the traditional way.
1996
A prestigious and longstanding partnership
Recognition comes in the form of an alliance with one of Belgium's most respected retailers. Delhaize, a leading Belgian retailer, signs a contract with Lindemans. This is more than a business deal—it is a seal of approval from the Belgian market itself.
From this moment on, Lindemans becomes a familiar name in major supermarkets across the country, synonymous with quality and tradition.
6th Generation
Dirk Lindemans (1968-present)
Geert Lindemans (1968-present)
2006
The Sixth Generation
The torch passes to worthy hands. Cousins Dirk and Geert Lindemans, representing the sixth generation, assume leadership of the family brewery. With deep respect for tradition and a clear vision for the future, they prove that innovation and authenticity can thrive together.
That same year, Lindemans Brewery begins exporting to China, opening a gateway to the world’s most populous market.
2013
A time of expansion and growth
The sound of construction echoes through Vlezenbeek as Lindemans Brewery embarks on an ambitious expansion. Demand for authentic lambic is soaring, both at home and abroad. Plans include doubling storage space for lambic maturation, creating modern offices, and improving workspaces for employees, a commitment to growth without compromise.
2022
Happy 200th birthday, Lindemans Brewery!
To celebrate two centuries of brewing excellence, Dirk and Geert unveil the new Satellite Brewery in nearby Ruisbroek, Belgium. This state-of-the-art facility features an event space, kitchen and bar, a laboratory, and a technologically advanced brewhouse designed with sustainability at its core.
The Satellite Brewery embodies Lindemans’ philosophy: one foot firmly in history, the other stepping boldly into tomorrow. Hundreds of friends, employees, and guests gather to honor this extraordinary milestone.
2025
The first alcohol-free
Kriek and Pecheresse beers
In their boldest innovation yet, Dirk and Geert craft Lindemans’ first 0.0% non-alcoholic beers. This achievement is no simple adaptation, it’s a technical marvel that reimagines centuries of brewing expertise.
The result? The unmistakable taste of Lindemans, now available to designated drivers, health-conscious drinkers, expectant mothers, and cultures where alcohol is limited. Tradition meets inclusivity.
Today
Looking ahead to the future…
From a small farm in 1822 to a global name in lambic brewing, Lindemans has become a bridge between cultures, generations, and tastes. Through every innovation, every expansion, every new market conquered, one thing remains unchanged: the soul of a family brewery.
At Lindemans, tradition isn’t a constraint, it’s a foundation. The story isn’t finished; it’s still fermenting, still maturing, still waiting to reveal what time and passion will create next.
