Rodenbach Brewery Is Founded in Roeselare

In 1821, Alexander, Gregoor, Pedro, and Amalia Rodenbach established the Rodenbach brewery in Roeselare, West Flanders. Heritage records describe the event as the family’s takeover of the existing Norbert brewery, which was subsequently renamed Rodenbach & Cie. The siblings initially entered into a partnership intended to last fifteen years. Pedro Rodenbach and his wife, Regina Wauters, later acquired full control of the brewery. During subsequent generations, Rodenbach developed the mixed-fermentation, oak-maturation, and blending practices for which its Flemish red-brown beer became internationally known. The brewery represents a major sour-beer tradition distinct from the spontaneously fermented Lambic and Gueuze traditions centered around Brussels and the Pajottenland.