Door Opening Hoegaarden

Hoegaarden: International White Beer and Former Liège Enclave

With 6,963 inhabitants (2025) over 34.13 km², Hoegaarden is a Flemish municipality of Flemish Brabant, in the Leuven arrondissement. It comprises three sections: Hoegaarden (4,982 inh.), Meldert (1,134 inh.) and Outgaarden (847 inh.).

History

Hoegaarden was historically “an ancient enclave of the Principality of Liège in the Duchy of Brabant” — a particular status that shaped its legal and cultural identity through the centuries.

The Hoegaarden white beer

Hoegaarden is internationally renowned for its white beer. “The most well-known beer is a white beer that scores 4.9% alcohol with a sweet, refreshing taste.” The famous Hoegaarden Brewery, formerly named De Kluis, now operates under AB InBev ownership and runs a visitor centre called Wit Gebrouw.

Religious heritage

The commune features several notable religious buildings:

• Saint-Gorgon Church (Sint-Gorgoniuskerk)
• Two chapels at Hauthem dedicated to Saint Catherine and the Marolles

Sections and profile

Hoegaarden centre : Municipal core, lively with shops, restaurants and the brewery’s visitor centre.

Meldert and Outgaarden : More rural eastern Hageland sections, housing mixing farms, family homes and properties with preserved character.

Lock types in Hoegaarden

The centre retains terraced houses with older mortise locks. The Hoegaarden Brewery and its warehouses require industrial locks, professional access control and hierarchical systems. Farms in rural sections (Meldert, Outgaarden) often feature heavy locks on older doors. Protected religious buildings call for respectful interventions.

Daily interventions in Hoegaarden

Tourist appeal (brewery, visitor centre) generates a steady visitor flow. Our team works in Dutch and French.