DEVIL
1871 - THE BEGINNING
It all began with the founding ancestor Jan-Leonard Moortgat who, in 1871, created the Moortgat brewery farm with his wife. At the turn of the century, Moortgat was only one of 3000 breweries active in Belgium.
At the beginning, Jan-Leonard had its ups and downs, but its top-fermented beers were very popular in Puurs and the region. Very quickly, his beers also appealed to the Brussels bourgeoisie.
1900 - TWO SONS
Business prospered and Jan-Leonard's two sons, Albert and Victor, joined their father at the brewery. The tasks are clearly distributed: Albert becomes a brewer, Victor takes care of distribution by going to Brussels with a cart.
1900-1915 - BRITISH INFLUENCE
During the First World War, the Belgians discovered English beers, “Ales”, which then enjoyed considerable popularity.
Inspired by the success of English ales, Albert decides to create a special beer based on the English model.
1918 - SCOTTISH YEAST
To make this ale, Albert only wants to use the best ingredients.
He travels to Scotland to obtain a sample of this specific yeast. There, he encountered resistance from local brewers. After a veritable odyssey to countless local breweries, he finally managed to obtain the coveted sample. Today, the yeast used is still cultivated from the same strain!
1918-1923 - VICTORY BUT
The two brothers continue their research and experiments until they obtain the perfect recipe. The new beer was initially called “Victory Ale” to commemorate the end of the First World War.
This new beer truly surprises. During a tasting with the village notables, the shoemaker Van De Wouwer, very surprised by the powerful aromas of the beer, exclaimed: “It’s a real devil” ( a “duvel”).
A divine inspiration? From 1923, the beer was marketed under this name. A bold move in the Catholic Flanders of the time!
1958 - The EXPO
This simply unique beer is attracting attention, including internationally.
Duvel's production is intensifying, as is its international status. The Netherlands is the first country to fall under the spell of special beer.
The little brother of the classic Duvel was born in the 60s: the green Duvel. This beer, which undergoes a unique fermentation, is lighter and is a huge success in cafes near the brewery.
1960 - DUVEL GLASS
The third generation of Moortgat (Bert and Marcel Moortgat, and the two brothers Leon & Emile Moortgat) is convinced that a unique beer deserves a unique glass.
At the end of the 1960s, the Duvel glass became the first tasting glass in the shape of a tulip. This new glass, which is not without recall the wine tasting glass, should in particular be able to contain the entirety of a 33 cl bottle. No glass of this capacity existed until then. The glass is designed to make beer tasting an even more intense experience. The round shape enhances the taste and aroma of Duvel, and the narrowing of the glass towards the top contributes to maintaining carbon dioxide and therefore the head of foam.