The epicenter of brewing culture will soon be in Antwerp Brouwershuis (Antwerp)

The Brouwershuis has been a difficult issue for years, with a long search for a new use and partners to exploit the heritage-protected monument. Now there is a solution. The non-profit organization Brouwershuis Antwerpen, which was revived thanks to the patronage of the Antwerp malthouse Boortmalt, will give the monument a new purpose.

When the restoration work is completed, the city will make the Brouwershuis available free of charge to the non-profit organization Brouwershuis Antwerp. An agreement was concluded on Monday containing the basic principles for the collaboration.

“The Brouwershuis has an important industrial-archaeological value. For us, this renovation had to be accompanied by a worthy interpretation, so that future generations can also become acquainted with it.”

Bart De Wever (N-VA)

Mayor

“The Brouwershuis, which was originally called the Waterhuis and was used for water distribution in the Nieuwstad, is a heritage that we must absolutely cherish. It has an important industrial-archaeological value. For us, this renovation had to be accompanied by a worthy interpretation, so that future generations can also become acquainted with it,” says Mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA).

Three dimensions

The Brouwershuis must become an educational center where people with a passion – companies, schools and private individuals – can come together for brewing culture. It will also be home to the history of Antwerp’s brewing culture and water supply.

“The art of brewing is centuries old and fits in perfectly with our history in Antwerp”

Yvan Schaepman

CEO Boortmalt

The fact that the file surrounding the Brouwershuis has gained momentum is partly thanks to Boortmalt. This is the largest malting house in the world with a branch in the port of Antwerp. “The art of brewing is centuries old and fits in perfectly with our history in Antwerp. Water is an important ingredient in the brewing process and it is special for us to connect the three dimensions – beer, history and water – through the Brouwershuis,” says company CEO Yvan Schaepman.

In June, an architect will be appointed for the renovation of the part that will be occupied by the non-profit organization Brouwershuis. The renovation works will start in the spring of 2026, following the current restoration work on the historic part, and will last approximately one year.

“Impressive legacy”

The 16th-century Brouwershuis is located between Adriaan Brouwerstraat and Brouwersvliet. The Brouwershuis was opened as a museum for the first time in 1933. Since 1990 it was closed to the public pending restoration.

“The Brouwershuis is part of the impressive legacy of Gilbert van Schoonbeke. This 16th-century entrepreneur and city developer has left a major mark on the appearance of our historic city center, including the Stadswaag and the Graanmarkt as highlights,” says Bart De Wever.

“The Brouwershuis is part of the impressive legacy of Gilbert van Schoonbeke. This 16th-century entrepreneur and city developer has left a major mark on the appearance of our historic city center.”

Bart De Wever (N-VA)

Mayor

However, the most far-reaching and large-scale projects that were realized under Van Schoonbeke – the finishing of the Spanish city walls and the Nieuwstad with its three canals – are less recognizable today.

“Only limited remains of the city walls are visible, such as the Kipdorpvest in the Brabantstunnels. And the Nieuwstad partly made way for the current Brouwersvliet and the first docks of the Eilandje,” said the mayor.