In 1998, the brewery was acquired by Jos Tjoen, who modernised it so that it could expand. It soon became clear that the premises were too small for the planned extension and so, in 2001, he moved Brouwerij De Bie to a larger location in Loker but kept the name: Hellekapelle. And an entirely new brewery was born, one with an adjoining pub where people could enjoy a good chat with close friends over great beer. At the same time, they opened a beer boutique.
Because of the enormous success of regional craft beers, this location was soon far too small. So, in 2011, Brouwerij De Bie moved to a much larger farmstead in Wakken (Dentergem). What began as a craft brewery with 3 beers has today grown into a renowned brewery with 10 beers. But it hasn’t lost its artisanal qualities.
KimLundJohansen (10465) reviewed Double Bie from Brouwerij de Bie 18 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5
[Bottle @ Papsoe] Hazy brown with medium head. Sweet aroma with roasted malt, yeast chocolate and ripe fruits. Sweet flavor with roasted malt, prunes, chocolate and yeast. Somewhat oxidized.
KimLundJohansen (10465) reviewed Blonde Bie from Brouwerij de Bie 18 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
[Bottle 2005 Vintage @ Papsoe] Hazy golden with medium white head. Sweet fruity flavor with yeasty notes. Sweet honey flavor with yeast and orange peel.
yespr (55501) reviewed Riebedebie from Brouwerij de Bie 18 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5
33 cL bottle. Pours hazy yellow with a diminished white head. Aroma is mild yeasty but also slight chemical. Flavour is solid metallic, again. Mellow malty and yeasty blend. Ends with more of the same but also with a slight detergent note.
yespr (55501) reviewed Double Bie from Brouwerij de Bie 18 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5
33 cL bottle. from 2005. Pours dark brown with a diminished light brown head. Mild chocolate malt aroma. Solid metallic and roasted malt flavour. Slight oxidised flavour too. Lingers into the finish with a smooth chocolate note, but also some oxidised flavours.
yespr (55501) reviewed Blonde Bie from Brouwerij de Bie 18 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 4.5
33 cL bottle. Pours hazy yellow with a dense white head. Spiced and light wheaty aroma. Flavour is herbal honey and wheaty, slight off notes. Has a slight chemical note too. Mild burning finish of chemical and alcohol.
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Perfectly hazy amber/copper coloured body with both golden and brown highlights, a very thin off-white head and a million small bubbles rising from the sides - this one looks perfect! Very complex aroma of fresh hops, malt, apples, candy sugar, curacao, grass and even a slight twang of pears. Medium-bodied; The taste kind of loses me - metal up front fading to a very nice malt, coupled with some fresh hops and bunches of fresh fruit. Aftertaste shows more metal and malt - a bit harsh, but long-lasting. Overall, a very nice looking & smelling beer. The taste and palate drop off a bit after expecting so much. But, all is not a waste - a great beer to sample, definitely one to try. This one was my first that I brought home from Belgium - so I’m very pleased with this one and can’t wait to try more. I sampled this 33 cL bottle purchased from Bier Tempel in Bruxelles, Belgium on 12-Jan-2008.
Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Bottle: Poured a ditry hazy dark beige color ale with a huge foamy head with perfect retention and good lacing. Aroma of Belgian malt with some wheat and some sweetness also coming through. Taste is a mix between some candi sugar, some wheat malt and some bready yeast. Great carbonation with a full body and no apparent alcohol.
Boutip (9769) reviewed Kerstbie from Brouwerij de Bie 18 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 6.5
Bottle: Poured a deep cloudy brown color ale with a small foamy head with minimal retention and no lacing. Aroma of sweet Belgian malt is dominating. Taste is also dominated by some huge Belgian malt with some nice honey notes. Medium body with limited filtration and medium carbonation. Alcohol was not noticeable. I guess the carbonation could have been liver and a fuller body would have also been appreciated.
yespr (55501) reviewed Kerstbie from Brouwerij de Bie 18 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5
33 cL bottle, Kerstbierfestival 2007 in Essen/Belgium. Pours reddish dark brown with a lacing light orange head. Dried fruity and heavy malty aroma. Flavour is herbal, slight note of honey and solid malty and dried fruit note. Lingers into the finish with a solid malt base and a slight spice note. Nice but not thrilling.
SHIG (13882) reviewed Kriekedebie from Brouwerij de Bie 18 years ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 4 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 3
Bottle: Poured a clear red with off white reddish thick creamy head. The arom is light with cherry. Taste is a metal with light fruit. Not as good as I had expected from de Bie.