BELGIUM: InBev readies Hoegaarden return to Hoegaarden

InBev has confirmed that all production of its Hoegaarden wheat beer is set to return to its home brewery this summer.

A report in Belgian newspaper De Tijd this weekend claimed that the Belgium-based global brewer will open a new brewery in the town of Hoegaarden later this year. But, speaking to just-drinks today (21 April), a spokesperson for InBev Belgium clarified the reports.

"Our brewery operations in Hoegaarden have always been open," the spokesperson said. "We have simply reinvested in our plants in the town." In September last year, InBev announced that it was investing EUR60m (US$95.5m) in three of its breweries in Belgium, including Hoegaarden. "From 1 June, all Hoegaarden beer will be brewed in the town of Hoegaarden," the spokesperson added. Currently, InBev's Jupiler brewery handles 20% of the brewing of Hoegaarden.

"Last year, exports of Hoegaarden rose by 9%," the spokesperson said, noting that the opening of the updated brewery in June "comes at the beginning of the wheat beer season. Hoegaarden is a seasonal beer, being mostly drunk in the Spring and Summer."

Outside of Belgium, Hoegaarden's main markets are the US, Russia and the UK.

In late 2005, InBev announced its plans to close one of its three facilities in Hoegaarden, with the remaining two handling refermentation and bottling of the wheat beer.