In 2003, Tony Traen, took over Kapel van Viven from Willy De Lobel (the founder of Kapel van Viven) Since then, chapel of Viven has undergone several changes: a brand new look, an improved recipe for the Monastery of Viven and a new name. Chapel and Monastry of Viven were baptized Viven Blond and Viven Brown.
The idea to apply our Flemish brewing art to non-Flemish beers haunted Tony and together with Dirk Naudts (owner of the Proef brewery), he developed the recipes of the promising Viven Ale, Viven Porter, Viven Imperial IPA and Viven Master IPA. These exceptional beers, that would truly tempt any beer connoisseur, have been successfully launched onto the beer market in 2010, making them accessible to a wider audience of beer lovers.
For Tony and Krystle Traen, the driving forces behind the brewery, Viven has been a passion for over twenty years.
Krystle, one of the few female brewers in Belgium, is responsible for the taste of the different beers in the range. She composes the recipes and brews the first test batches in the kettles in Damme. When a new beer is tasted and approved by Krystle, the production moves to the Proefbrouwerij in Lochristi to be able to brew higher volumes. Tony is responsible for the administration, transport and sales. He started the Viven story, more than twenty years ago, in the little town of Vivenkapelle and turned it into an international brand.
