History

In the early 15th century, the Groot Begijnhof in Mechelen played a significant role in the city, partly due to the presence of the 'Krankenhuis,' which provided care for the sick. Some of the buildings on our brewery’s site, including the old St. Bernard’s refuge of the Hemiksem Abbey, date back to this period.

During this time, beer was already being brewed on the site, and in 1471, Duke Charles the Bold decreed that the beers brewed there would be exempt from excise duties and taxes "for the beguines and their officers."

In 1872, the Van Breedam family, who already owned a distillery in Blaasveld, acquired the brewery in the Groot Begijnhof of Mechelen. Driven by their passion for the craft and a deep appreciation of Mechelen’s rich history under the Dukes of Burgundy—a golden era for the city—the family decided to focus primarily on brewing speciality beers.

Right from the start, the brewery prioritised innovation. The first generation of family brewers installed a steam boiler, which led to great commercial success.

The spirit of innovation ran in the family's blood. Under Victor Van Breedam's leadership from 1911 to 1935, the second generation of brewers introduced modern advances, including a state-of-the-art malting facility and the development of cutting-edge bottling machines.

In the late 1950s, Charles Van Breedam made a bold move by deciding that Het Anker would stop brewing lagers and focus solely on producing traditional speciality beers. This decision marked a turning point in the company's history.

Under Michel Van Breedam's leadership from 1962 to 1990, Gouden Carolus became the flagship of the brewery, gaining both national and international acclaim. Even in the United States, Gouden Carolus found its way into the hands of many beer lovers.

Since 1990, under the guidance of Charles Leclef, Brouwerij en Stokerij Het Anker has continued to evolve. The various Gouden Carolus beers have received numerous international awards, reinforcing Het Anker's reputation as a bridge between tradition and innovation. This truly Mechelen-based brewery continues to spread its wings both locally and globally.