Entrepreneur Jan Tormans buys Achelse Kluis (January 26, 2023)

[Trappist]

Hi,
The Trappist community of Westmalle and entrepreneur Jan Tormans, owner of Tormans Group, have reached an agreement on the sale of the Achelse Kluis.
A letter of intent for the sale has already been signed.

Jan Tormans wants to continue all existing activities. He wants to increase the current production of 5,000 hectoliters per year to 12,000 and by 2030 to 40,000 hectoliters. Nothing will change in the authentic recipes of the Achel beers. They will continue to be brewed in the Achelse Kluis.

Full details (Dutch): https://www.limburgnieuws.be/hamont/1674722457-ondernemer-jan-tormans-koopt-achelse-kluis-a.html

Cheers,
Filip

[John B]

So he wants to increase production by almost three times what it is now, and by 2030 almost eight times. Filip, I'm not familiar with Achel's brewing setup, do you know if they are capable of that in their current capacity? Or maybe he has a plan to expand the production facilities.

Cheers! - John

[Trappist]

Filip, I'm not familiar with Achel's brewing setup, do you know if they are capable of that in their current capacity? Or maybe he has a plan to expand the production facilities.

John,
They sure are capable!

Here is what's been published 1 day ago at https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20230125_95423881

Quote: "What will change is the production capacity: "In 2020, a brand new brewery was installed, which was barely operational during the corona crisis," says Tormans. "I want it to run full throttle now. In the long term I also want to brew a pilsner beer, just as is happening in the Westmalle brewery." The Kempen entrepreneur also has dreams in terms of gastronomy: "I would like to develop a gastronomic restaurant in the abbey, in addition to the existing brasserie. I am aiming for a Michelin star.""

The evolutions all seems very hopeful!
Only, I just hope the recipes won't change.
Actually, not many people know this, but all the recipes from Achel were initially made by brewmaster Marc Knops (btw: same for the Brugse Zot beers here in Bruges)
A truely utterly amazing brewmaster, running his own brewery now, i.e brewery Varenbroek. (https://vlaamsebrouwers.be/brouwerijlocaties/belgium/antwerpen/reet/brouwerij-varenbroek/)

Cheers,
Filip

[John B]

Thanks for the information information Filip! I knew you'd have the answer. 

Yes, hopefully the recipes won't change. Interesting that he wants to brew a pilsner.

Cheers! - John

[Trappist]

Interesting that he wants to brew a pilsner.

Yes John,
But at Westmalle, they don't brew any pilsner at all 
I'm sure he was referring to the 4.8 vol% Westmalle Extra.
it's - in the mean time - a sign he is not really a beer connoisseur    but more kind of entrepeneur.
I keep being hopeful though
Cheers,
Filip