Brouwerij Het Anker
Brouwerij Het Anker is one of the oldest breweries in Belgium, with roots dating back to the early 15th century. At that time, the Groot Begijnhof in Mechelen housed a brewery connected to the local hospital. In 1471, Charles the Bold granted tax exemption on the beer brewed there for the beguines and their officers – an early testament to the site’s importance.
In 1872, the brewery was bought by the Van Breedam family, who already had experience in distillation. They modernised the business with a steam boiler and focused on brewing special beers inspired by Mechelen’s rich history among the Burgundians. In 1904, the name officially became Brouwerij Het Anker. During the First World War, the brewery was largely dismantled by the German occupiers, but it quickly recovered and flourished in the interbellum.
From the 1960s onwards, traditional specialty beers were resolutely chosen instead of pilsner. Under the leadership of Michel Van Breedam, Gouden Carolus grew into the showpiece of the brewery, with success far beyond Belgium.
In 1990, Charles Leclef, fifth generation, took over the helm. He invested heavily in renovation and expansion. In addition to the brewery, a restaurant, a hotel, a microbrewery and guided tours were added – making Het Anker a real experience place.
In 2010, a whisky distillery was established in the 17th-century family farm in Blaasveld. There, grain whisky is distilled from the malt mash of Gouden Carolus Tripel. In 2013, the first Gouden Carolus Single Malt was launched, a new success.
Het Anker remains true to its roots: quality over quantity, anchored in Mechelen, but with international ambitions. The combination of tradition and innovation is the common thread through five generations of craftsmanship.
A new chapter began in 2025: Brewery Het Anker joined forces with Brewery Huyghe. This collaboration combines two strong heritage brands with shared values around sustainability, quality and innovation. Thanks to Huyghe's international network, Het Anker can continue its growth path without losing its unique identity: Mechelen tradition, craftsmanship and taste experience.
Products from Brouwerij Het Anker
Over 500 years of history at brewery Het Anker
The first record of what we now know as brewery Het Anker dates back to 1471. This makes it one of the oldest producers of Belgian beers. At the time, the brewery was connected to the hospital in Mechelen. The brewing facilities are still located at the edge of the Great Beguinage. Today, visitors are welcome for a tour of the brewery and distillery, a meal in the brasserie, or an overnight stay in the on-site 3-star hotel.
In 1872, the Van Breedam family took over the city brewery. They installed a modern steam boiler and began producing beers inspired by Mechelen’s rich history under the Dukes of Burgundy. From the 14th to the 16th century, famous figures such as Charles the Bold and Philip the Handsome helped raise the city’s national and international prestige.
Het Anker brewery in the 20th century
On December 31, 1904, the company Boonaerts & Van Breedam officially adopted the name Het Anker. Eight years later, Victor Van Breedam installed the first malting plant in Flanders. During World War I, German troops dismantled the brewhouse to reuse the copper for their war effort. During World War II, the brewery continued producing light beer. Het Anker became an important employer in the region.
In 1945, a new brewhouse with three copper kettles was opened. In the 1960s, Het Anker made a deliberate choice to focus on traditional special beers instead of popular pilsners. This led to the launch of Gouden Carolus, the amber beer Mechelschen Bruynen, and the blond tripel Triple Toison d’Or.
Fifth generation and new leadership
Charles Leclef, the fifth generation, took over in 1990. He invested heavily in the renovation of the cooling, fermentation, and lagering installations. He also expanded within the historic buildings, transforming Het Anker into a full visitor experience. Since the turn of the century, Gouden Carolus beers have been awarded multiple international prizes. Today, the brewery exports to more than 40 countries. In 2010, Het Anker also began distilling whisky — first in Blaasveld, then later in Mechelen itself.
In 2025, a new chapter begins. Het Anker joins forces with brewery Huyghe from Melle. This partnership unites two strong heritage brands that share values like sustainability, quality, and innovation. Huyghe’s international network enables Het Anker to continue its growth path without compromising its unique identity: Mechelen tradition, craftsmanship, and flavour experience.
Wide range of beers from Het Anker brewery
Without a doubt, Het Anker’s most iconic brew is Gouden Carolus, named after Emperor Charles V. In our webshop, you’ll find several variations:
- Gouden Carolus Classic: a ruby red beer top-fermented, brewed according to a 1960s recipe and recognized as a regional product, available in 33cl and 75cl bottles
- Gouden Carolus Triple: a stately golden tripel with 9% alcohol, replacing the former Triple Toison d’Or; first brewed in 1491 in Mechelen for the Knights of the Golden Fleece
- Gouden Carolus Ambrio: an amber beer replacing the Mechelsen Bruynen, based on a traditional Mechelen city beer from the 14th century
- Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor: a blond beer named after a character from Mechelen folklore and the 5 hop varieties used in the brew, launched in 2008
- Gouden Carolus Whisky Infused: an infused beer — Gouden Carolus Imperial Dark enhanced with Gouden Carolus Single Malt whisky, available in 33cl and 75cl bottles
- Gouden Carolus Cuvée van de Keizer: the Imperial Dark is brewed annually on February 24, Charles V’s birthday; the Imperial Blond was introduced to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Dark version
These beers also form part of the Het Anker and Belgian Beer Heaven selection:
- La Cambre, a recognized abbey beer named after the Abbey of La Cambre in Brussels, available since 2022 as a blond beer and a generously hopped IPA, brewed by Het Anker
- Maneblusser, Mechelen’s city beer — an easy-drinking blond beer named after the local nickname, with a delicate citrus aroma (5.8%)
- Boscoli, a fruit beer for foodies — a wheat beer enriched with natural fruit juices, with a distinctly fruity flavour and a low alcohol content (3.5%)
Don't forget to order the matching beer glasses to enjoy Het Anker beers as intended.
