En Stoemelings finds new brewing partner after bankruptcy

Brussels brewery En Stoemelings will soon see its beers back in production following its bankruptcy at the end of 2024, after more than a decade in business.

Bières de Quartiers from Watermael-Boitsfort has bought the business assets of En Stoemelings, after which a new entity called Pintjes was established as a joint venture between the two breweries.

Pintjes will continue to produce En Stoemelings' popular beers and release new flavours, which will now be available in cans as well as bottles.

“When En Stoemelings was founded in 2015, cans were not yet widely used and therefore very expensive,” said En Stoemelings former founder Samuel Languy. “We’re very curious to see what customers will think of this change.”

Languy and cofounder Denys Van Elewyck will acquire a minority stake in Pintjes and will also remain active in an advisory role.

In its heyday, En Stoemelings produced about 1,500 hectolitres of beer a year on its premises in Laeken. The founders of the new venture hope to reach 500 hectolitres by 2026.

The relaunch of the Curieuse Neus beer will take place at the Illegaal brewery in Forest, as En Stoemelings sold its production facilities in the middle of last year in an attempt to avert bankruptcy.

The merger of Bières de Quartiers and En Stoemelings is not unprecedented: Bières de Quartiers has been producing various beers at En Stoemelings' brewery in Laeken since 2019.

Bières de Quartiers was founded in 2018 by Greg Malcause and Bruno Parmentier and is known for its beers named after Brussels neighbourhoods such as Flagey, Parvis and Cimdix (Ixelles cemetery). The recipes and labels are always developed in collaboration with local residents.

The new partnership therefore comes after years of working together. “The aim is to show customers that the brand is not dead,” Languy said.