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Brewery · Mechelen, Antuérpia
Brouwerij Het Anker
Historic brewery next to the Groot Begijnhof in Mechelen, originating in the 15th century, which produces Gouden Carolus and opens for guided tours of the brewhouse and the whisky distillery.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Brouwerij Het Anker
Brouwerij Het Anker is on Guido Gezellelaan, on the edge of the Groot Begijnhof. The history of beer production on the site goes back to 1471, when the beguines brewed the drink there. In 1872 the brewery was bought by Louis Van Breedam, and in 1904 it took the name Het Anker, the anchor.
In the 1990s, Charles Leclef, the family's fifth generation, restored the buildings and modernized refrigeration, fermentation and maturation. The three copper mash tuns used in brewing are post‑war. The house produces the Gouden Carolus family and the Mechelse Felle.
The guided tour goes through the historic brewery and the whisky distillery, which bring together production, maturation warehouses and the house’s expertise in beer and whisky. The tour ends with a drink in the brasserie, where beers are served in tasting glasses.
Every year on 24 February, Carlos V’s birthday, the brewery produces the Cuvée van de Keizer and usually opens its doors to the public. A few blocks away is the Klein Begijnhof, the town’s small beguinage, with short streets and low houses near the church of Sint-Katelijne.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Allow about two hours for the visit and the stop at the brasserie; confirm the duration when booking.
Best time
Guided tours take place on some days of the week, including Saturday and Sunday, with sessions in English. Booking is recommended for solo visitors and mandatory for groups. Check the times before you go.
How to get there
It’s on Guido Gezellelaan, beside the Groot Begijnhof, about 650 metres northwest of Mechelen’s Grote Markt. From the station it’s roughly a 25‑minute walk across the centre.
Tip
Taste slowly and in small measures: the house beers are strong, and the tasting is meant to discover flavours, not to drink a lot. Before or after, walk the streets of the Groot Begijnhof and continue to the Klein Begijnhof.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Brouwerij Het Anker
Which beer is produced at Het Anker?
The Gouden Carolus family of beers, named after a coin from the time of Charles V, and the Mechelse Felle.
Do you need to book the visit?
It is recommended for solo visitors and mandatory for groups. Sessions change throughout the year; check before you go.
Does the visit include the distillery?
Yes. The tour goes through the historic brewery and the whisky distillery, and ends with a tasting in the brasserie.