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.
MiP (20366) reviewed Zatte Bie from Brouwerij de Bie 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9.5
Bottle. Roasted, malty aroma. Very dark brown colour. Small light brown head. Full, roasted flavour, quite malty with a good fruitiness, raisin, prune. A bit like thick chocolate. A very nice bruin/abt.
fiulijn (28382) reviewed Riebedebie from Brouwerij de Bie 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Amber color; the bubbles come up like an aspirin! Aroma of Belgian yeast, old, almost Parmesan Cheese. Malty taste, quite sweet and very smooth; the alcohol punches in too much. Enjoyable Belgian.
Harrisoni (26233) reviewed Hellekapelle from Brouwerij de Bie 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5
Bottle. Golden with thick white head. Not a huge aroma, some yeast and hop. Slightly too carbonated in the mouth. Some lemon and a bit of cream flavours in mouth. Finish has some tingly hop. OK, but I didn’t pick up a lot of aroma or flavour on this.
Harrisoni (26233) reviewed Zatte Bie from Brouwerij de Bie 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
Bottle. Black beer with dark beige head. Spicy/coffee/raisin aroma. Some roasted malts. Juicy in mouth, powdery charcoal towards the end. Bit of smoke. Some nuttiness. Carries its strength well. Not bad, but I’m not sure what it is either.
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
Bottle. Hazy amber colour with thin off white head. Some toffee/red berry jam aroma. Bit of cardboard in mouth. Smells like raspberry pavlova which is no bad thing. Jammy red berries run through it to a finish that has hop/fruit and dryness. Bizarrely nice.
Harrisoni (26233) reviewed Plokkersbier from Brouwerij de Bie 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 5
Bottle. Golden lasting white head. Quite carbonated when I opened it. Cereal whisky and citrus on aroma. Bit over carbonated in mouth. Nice enough with some alcohol and cereal. Not sure that I would have it again though
JK (8181) reviewed Zatte Bie from Brouwerij de Bie 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8
Sort of a Belgian session beer if the alcohol content were lower. As is, this is a fairly light and delicate beer. It is deceptively simple to drink as the alcohol is not found in the aroma or the flavor. Aroma has some molasses and malt. Flavor is lightly sweet with sugar, malt, and lambic-like yeast; which lends a spicy, herbal quality this beer bringing it just up to the border of being a saison.
Anders37 (30296) reviewed Plokkersbier from Brouwerij de Bie 19 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6
Bottle. Pours a hazy golden colour with a white head. Sweet spicy aroma. Sweetish malty flavor with some spicy hints. Has a sweet finish.
omhper (44752) reviewed Kriekedebie from Brouwerij de Bie 19 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5
Bottlewd. Clear reddish amber, brief head. Tart cherry aroma. Fairly light bodied with restrained saccharine sweetness and some tart berry-like cherry flavour. Lightly vinegary with notes of cheese, sparkling mouthfeel. Very complex flavourwise - if it wasn’t for the saccharine it’d be great.
diabel (1874) reviewed Kerstbie from Brouwerij de Bie 20 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
Bottle at Kerstbierfestival 2005, Essen, Belgium
Clear, deep brown body. Nose of molasses, tawny port, honey. Moderately sweet initial flavour. Lightly sweet, lightly bitter finish.