About
Brewery Het Anker is one of the oldest breweries in Belgium (1471). In its current form the brewery exists since 1872 when the Van Breedam family bought the brewery and built a modern brewery with a steam boiler. Nowadays it is still a family brewery that has been brewing beer in the Groot Begijnhof in Mechelen for 5 generations. Over the years, Het Anker grew into an internationally acclaimed brewery. The old recipes are still the basis of the brewing process and a variety of hops and herbs flavor the beers.
The brewhouse consists of three kettles from 1946 and a wort filter from 2014. The kettles are made of red copper and are “hammered” by hand into the existing shapes. The capacity is 3000 kg deposit. In the past, brews of 250 to 300 hl of lager were produced with this. Today we brew 110 hl per brew since the current beers are of a much higher density.
The brewhouse consists of three kettles from 1946 and a wort filter from 2014. The kettles are made of red copper and are “hammered” by hand into the existing shapes. The capacity is 3000 kg deposit. In the past, brews of 250 to 300 hl of lager were produced with this. Today we brew 110 hl per brew since the current beers are of a much higher density.
Part of the group
7.6/10
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Appearance 9
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 7.5
(Bottle, 0.33l, from Alko, 20260423) The beer poured pale copper coloured and clear. Its head was large, white and it lasted long. Aroma had honey, spicy yeast, vinous notes and wood. Palate was medium bodied and dry with medium carbonation. Flavours were honey, spicy yeast, wood, vanilla, earth and bitterness. Aftertaste had honey. wood, vanilla and bitterness. A tasty brew with characteristics yeast. The barrel notes were there but were mostly subtle.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Apr 2026
at 17:25
8.1/10
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Appearance 9
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Backlog August 2013. Unclear brown body under a huge, creamy beige head. Strong, nice aroma of malt, dry fruit and typical Belgium spicy ale. Very sweet, but the alcohol manages to control it, malty, fruity, caramel and nuts with a spicy touch and moderate bitterness. Classic, well made Belgium ale.
Tried
on 20 Apr 2026
at 12:23
8.5/10
Tried
from Bottle
on 18 Apr 2026
at 18:48
9.4/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 9.5
Flavor 9.5
Texture 10
Overall 9.5
Opalescent golden colour, medium sized dense white head; aroma of apple (peel), orange peel oily, vanilla, some toffee, and slight whisky notes; taste is quite the same! Amazing one! Thanks so much for sharing, Kapusil!
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Apr 2026
at 14:08
9.3/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 9
0.75l bottle. Clear golden body with a white head. Aroma of sugar syrup, orange zest, green apples, vanilla and slight wood. Taste of green apples, oak, whiskey, orange zest, nutmeg and a bit of floral hops. The whiskey barrel character is not so bold, rather just adds anoter layer to the already complex beer. I like it a lot.
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Apr 2026
at 14:03
7.5/10
Tried
on 06 Apr 2026
at 17:05
6.9/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 6.5
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
Bottle shared by Joen. Clear golden color, medium sized white head. Aroma and flavor are malts, yeasty, a bit sweetish blossomy notes, with a soft floral note and a slight bitter finish with a slight whiskey hint. Okay.
Tried
on 28 Mar 2026
at 20:35
9/10
Tried
from Bottle
on 26 Mar 2026
at 06:54
7.3/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 8
Texture 7
Overall 7
Christmas present from my daughter. Black with a cream head. Aroma of caramel whiskey malt. Flavour is dark woods, sticky dark fruits, whiskey warm notes. Jam like fruit finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Mar 2026
at 00:17
7.5/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 8
Sample courtesy of Grumbo, cheers Graham! Chestnut brown colour, some bubbles on top and aroma of caramel, candy, brown sugar, dried fruits. Taste is sweet, malty, caramel, toffee, butterscotch, fruit cake, fig, with yeasty hints and mellow bitterness. Medium bodied, soft carbonation, drying sweetish caramel and light boozy bitter at the finish. Nicely drinkable.
Tried
on 22 Mar 2026
at 17:30