Brasserie La Caracole

In 1765, a brewery was founded in the village of Falmignoul by the Moussoux family. The brewery remained active for generations, until a violent storm in 1939 caused the large chimney to collapse and severely damage the buildings. Shortly afterward, the brewery was sold to Mr. Lamotte, who continued to operate it until 1971. After that, brewing ceased.

In 1990, François Tonglet and Jean-Pierre Debras founded Brasserie Caracole. While searching for brewing equipment, they ended up in Falmignoul in 1992, where not only an old lauter tun but also the entire brewery building was for sale. They relocated their operations, and from 1994 onward, beer once again flowed from the kettles in Falmignoul.

What makes Brasserie Caracole special is its traditional brewing method: they still use a wood-fired copper brew kettle, a unique process in Europe that is essential for the distinctive flavor of their beers.

The name Caracole refers to the nickname of the inhabitants of the nearby city of Namur: "caracoles," or snails. To celebrate the brewery's 250th anniversary, François Tonglet proudly launched the Fameuse 1765.

The region around Falmignoul is also rich in history. The last Battle of the Meuse took place in neighboring Falmagne in 1790, during the Brabant Revolution. The nearby Côte Marie-Thérèse also commemorates Maria Theresa of Austria.