“Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” granted European protection
A unique milestone for Belgian beer culture: “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” has officially been registered as a European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). With this recognition, the European Union confirms the exceptional link between this beer, its historical origins and the craftsmanship of the brewers who continue to honour that tradition today. The protection is the result of a process spanning many years, during which eight breweries, united within HORARB (Hoge Raad voor het Authentiek Vlaams Roodbruin Bier) worked with VLAM and the Flanders Agency for Agriculture and Sea Fisheries to safeguard this unique part of Flemish heritage for future generations.
“Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” is one of the world’s most distinctive beers. It is appreciated worldwide for its complex flavour, subtle interplay of sweetness and acidity, and exceptional maturation in large, upright oak foeders. What beer lovers now cherish as a unique style originated centuries ago in the historic County of Flanders.
The history of “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” dates back to a time when brewers were looking for ways to extend beer’s shelf life. While hops became increasingly important as a preservative elsewhere, Flemish brewers developed their own techniques based on natural acidification and maturation. Over the centuries, this evolved into a beer style that is not brewed in the same way anywhere else in the world.
Maturation in wooden foeders remains the beating heart of “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale”. In these imposing oak vessels, the beer develops its characteristic flavour over a period of months or even years, with fruity aromas, gentle notes of wood and refreshing acidity. Each foeder gives the beer its own character, making craftsmanship and patience indispensable.
This craftsmanship is fully expressed in the blending process, a tradition in which different matured beers, and potentially young beer, are brought together to create one balanced composition. This produces the complex flavour profiles for which “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” is appreciated worldwide. To make this diversity visible, breweries may state the name of their specific blend on the label alongside the registered name. This leaves room for each brewery’s own identity and creativity within the protected product.
The European recognition confirms that this craftsmanship is inextricably linked to a specific geographical area in West Flanders, namely the administrative districts of Roeselare, Tielt and Kortrijk, together with the municipalities of Kortemark and Ichtegem. Only beers produced within the recognised geographical area in accordance with the product and process specifications laid down in the product specification may use the name “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale”. These specifications cover, among other things, the raw materials used, the organoleptic characteristics, such as flavour, aroma and colour, the quality parameters and the production process. This provides legal protection within the European Union for both the beer and the traditional production method.
For the brewers, the PGI is much more than a quality label. It represents international recognition for a beer that was long appreciated mainly by connoisseurs but is now held in high regard internationally. “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” regularly receives awards at international beer competitions and enjoys an excellent reputation among beer lovers, chefs and sommeliers around the world. This international renown is also reflected in the registration of both the Dutch name “Vlaams roodbruin bier” and the internationally established English name “Flanders Red Ale”. The European protection should further strengthen this position and create new opportunities for promotion and export.
Strength in unity for “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale”
The application for protection was submitted by HORARB (Hoge Raad voor het Authentiek Vlaams Roodbruin Bier), the association dedicated to preserving and promoting “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale”. Within HORARB, eight breweries work together to protect and promote this unique Flemish beer heritage: Rodenbach Brewery, Verhaeghe Brewery, De Brabandere Brewery, Omer Vander Ghinste Brewery, Strubbe Brewery, Kasteel Brewery Vanhonsebrouck, The Brew Society and ’t Verzet Brewery.
The path towards European recognition was long and thorough. Following submission of the application, national and European examination procedures took place, during which stakeholders had the opportunity to lodge objections. As no objections were submitted, the way was cleared for final registration as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). Flanders has thus gained a prestigious European quality protection for a product regarded worldwide as one of the most authentic expressions of Belgian beer culture.
For consumers, the PGI provides a guarantee of authenticity. The PGI label confirms not only where the beer comes from, but also that it has been produced according to a carefully defined process. It therefore protects both the beer’s reputation and consumer trust.
The recognition is also a tribute to all generations of brewers who have preserved our beer through the centuries. At a time when beer lovers are showing increasing interest in authenticity, origin and craftsmanship, the European protection underlines the unique character of “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale”.
“Vlaams roodbruin bier, or Flanders Red Ale, is brewed by our brewers in south-west Flanders with great craftsmanship and passion, using an early medieval beer preservation technique. This technique originated in the former County of Flanders and has stood the test of time with ease. The beer is, as it were, the ‘missing link’ between beer and wine and is therefore sometimes called the Burgundy of Flanders. We are consequently proud of the European recognition.”
“We are very proud that the recognition has been granted and look back on an exceptionally good collaboration with our partners. The European label is an asset in further promoting this beer style.”
“Flanders Red Ale joins the range of outstanding Flemish regional products that have already obtained a PGI, alongside Limburgse vlaaien, Brussels grondwitloof, Poperingse hopscheuten, Liers vlaaike, potjevlees from the Westhoek, and the plants Vlaamse laurier and Gentse azalea. The recognition will motivate the brewers to preserve their tradition and will certainly help to build awareness and appreciation among the wider public.”
What makes Vlaams roodbruin bier so special?
“Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” is recognisable by its vibrant balance of fruity notes, gentle sweetness and refreshing acidity. Its base is simple and familiar: water, selected malts that provide the characteristic red-brown colour, hops and yeast.
Its distinctive character, however, is shaped by the craftsmanship of the brewers and cellar masters. This beer is unique because of its mixed fermentation and maturation in large, upright oak vessels known as foeders. After maturation, the beer may or may not be blended with young beer to naturally create the typical balance of freshness, fruitiness, gentle sweetness and invigorating acidity.
The entire brewing process, maturation in foeders and blending take place within the defined geographical area: West Flanders, specifically the administrative districts of Roeselare, Tielt and Kortrijk, together with the municipalities of Kortemark and Ichtegem.
What is a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)?
A Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is an official European quality label for products whose specific quality, reputation or other characteristic is linked to a particular geographical area. The recognition protects the registered product name and the product specifications laid down in the product specification.
For “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale”, this means that:
- the name “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” is legally protected within the European Union;
- only beer that meets the conditions of the product specification may carry the protected name;
- the beer must meet defined requirements concerning raw materials, product characteristics, quality parameters and the production process;
- consumers can be confident that they are purchasing an authentic product with a guaranteed origin;
- the European recognition creates additional opportunities for promotion and international visibility.
Press contact
Rudi Ghequire
Chairman HORARB
rudi.ghequire@skynet.be
+32 476 41 55 41