Boon Brewery

Boon Brewery, also known as Brouwerij Boon, is a Belgian brewery based in Lembeek, near Brussels. It is principally associated with traditional lambic-derived beers, especially gueuze and kriek, while using modern brewing facilities and production methods. The brewery also makes faro and Duivelsbier, a traditional beer associated with the nearby city of Halle. The business was established in 1978 when Frank Boon acquired the De Vits brewery, café and gueuze-blending operation after René De Vits and his sister Jeanne retired. The acquisition gave Boon a base in the Pajottenland and Senne Valley beer region, an area historically linked with spontaneously fermented lambic and the blending of aged lambics into gueuze. The operation later moved from Hondzocht to a brewery in Lembeek. Its first beer was produced at the Lembeek site in the autumn of 1990. Boon's modern production history developed through a partnership with Palm Belgian Craft Brewers, which took a 50% stake in the brewery. Production expanded over the following decades, rising from approximately 450 hectolitres in 1990 to 5,000 hectolitres in 2000, 11,300 hectolitres in 2009 and 14,000 hectolitres in 2011. These figures reflect the brewery's transition from a small traditional producer into a larger specialist operation while retaining a focus on lambic-based beer. Its core portfolio is built around gueuze, a blend of lambics of different ages, and kriek, a cherry-based lambic beer. These beers are marketed as expressions of Belgian brewing tradition rather than as conventional top-fermented ales. Boon is also connected with the broader Belgian craft-beer and lambic community, including other specialist producers in the Pajottenland and Senne Valley. Ownership arrangements changed during the 2010s. In 2014, Palm's 50% interest was transferred to Palm's parent company, Diepensteyn NV. Boon was not involved in Palm's subsequent sale to Bavaria in 2016. The distribution agreement between Palm and Boon ended in 2016, marking a separation from Palm's distribution structure. Frank Boon remained identified as the head of the brewery, while the Boon family retained a 50% share. The available reference material does not establish a more recent change in ownership, management or corporate structure.

Boon Brewery was founded in 1978 by Frank Boon after he acquired the De Vits brewery, café and gueuze-blending business in Hondzocht. The transaction followed the retirement of René De Vits and his sister Jeanne. Rather than establishing a brewery unrelated to the region's existing traditions, Boon took over an operation connected to the local production and blending of lambic-based beers. The business subsequently moved from Hondzocht to Lembeek, a locality near Brussels in the Senne Valley and within the wider Pajottenland lambic area. Lembeek's location placed the brewery within one of Belgium's principal traditional beer regions. The first beer was produced at the Lembeek site in the autumn of 1990. This marked the beginning of the brewery's modern production phase. Boon developed this phase in partnership with Palm Belgian Craft Brewers, which acquired a 50% stake. The relationship provided a corporate and commercial framework for increasing output while Boon continued to focus on gueuze, kriek and related traditional beers. Production grew from about 450 hectolitres in 1990 to roughly 5,000 hectolitres in 2000. It reached approximately 11,300 hectolitres in 2009 and 14,000 hectolitres in 2011. The brewery's principal products remained lambic-derived beers. Gueuze is made by blending lambics of different ages, while kriek uses cherries in a lambic-based beer. Boon also produced faro and Duivelsbier. Duivelsbier is described in the reference material as the traditional beer of Halle, connecting part of the brewery's range with the cultural and brewing heritage of the surrounding area. Corporate arrangements changed in 2014, when Palm's interest was transferred to Palm's parent company, Diepensteyn NV. Boon was not involved in Palm's sale to Bavaria in 2016. The commercial relationship also changed when the distribution agreement between Palm and Boon ended in 2016. The available material identifies Frank Boon as the head of the brewery and states that the Boon family held 50%, with the other 50% associated with Diepensteyn NV. The brewery has continued to be presented as an active Belgian specialist producer. Its identity rests on the combination of a traditional lambic portfolio, regional provenance in Lembeek and the use of modern brewing equipment and techniques. The supplied references do not provide enough information to document later management changes, current production volume, detailed export markets, or a current corporate website, so those areas remain unconfirmed.

1. 2016Distribution relationship with Palm ends

   Boon's distribution agreement with Palm ended during 2016. The reference also distinguishes Boon from Palm's sale to Bavaria.

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2. 2014Palm interest transferred to Diepensteyn NV

   Palm's 50% interest in Boon was transferred to Palm's parent company, Diepensteyn NV.

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3. 2011Production reaches approximately 14,000 hectolitres

   The brewery's reported production volume reached approximately 14,000 hectolitres.

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4. 2009Production reaches approximately 11,300 hectolitres

   Reported annual production rose to approximately 11,300 hectolitres.

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5. 2000Production reaches approximately 5,000 hectolitres

   Reported annual production increased to approximately 5,000 hectolitres.

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6. 1990First beer produced at the Lembeek site

   After the operation moved from Hondzocht to Lembeek, the first beer was produced at the new site in the autumn of 1990.

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7. 1990Production reaches approximately 450 hectolitres

   The brewery's reported production volume was approximately 450 hectolitres during its first production year at Lembeek.

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8. 1978Frank Boon acquires the De Vits operation

   Frank Boon purchased the De Vits brewery, café and gueuze-blending business after René De Vits and Jeanne De Vits retired, establishing the Boon brewery business.

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Traditional Belgian lambic specialist combining spontaneous-fermentation heritage with modern brewing and blending facilities.

• Boon GueuzeGueuze

  A gueuze-style beer made within Boon's lambic-focused portfolio. Gueuze traditionally results from blending lambics of different ages, creating a dry, tart and complex beer associated with the Senne Valley and Pajottenland. Boon's gueuze represents the brewery's central expression of Belgian lambic tradition.

• Boon KriekFruit lambic

  A kriek-style beer based on lambic and cherries. Kriek is one of the best-known fruit expressions of Belgian lambic brewing, combining the beer's spontaneous-fermentation character with fruit acidity and aroma. It is one of Boon's principal specialist offerings.

• FaroLambic-based beer

  Faro is included among Boon Brewery's other products. It is a traditional Belgian lambic-related style, generally associated with a sweeter and more approachable profile than unblended or sharply tart lambic beers.

• DuivelsbierTraditional Belgian beer

  Duivelsbier is another beer associated with Boon Brewery and is described in the reference material as the traditional beer of Halle. Its inclusion broadens the portfolio beyond gueuze and kriek while retaining a connection to local Belgian beer heritage.

• 2016End of the Palm distribution agreementStrategy

  Boon's commercial relationship with Palm changed amid broader ownership changes involving Palm and its later sale to Bavaria.

  What changed. The distribution agreement between Boon and Palm ended in 2016.

  Aftermath. The available material does not identify Boon's subsequent distributor or quantify the commercial effect of the change.

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• 2014Transfer of Palm's ownership interestM&A

  Palm Belgian Craft Brewers had held a 50% stake in Boon. Changes within the Palm corporate structure led to the interest being transferred to Palm's parent company, Diepensteyn NV.

  What changed. The 50% stake associated with Palm was transferred to Diepensteyn NV.

  Aftermath. The Boon family continued to hold 50%, while Diepensteyn NV became the associated holder of the other 50% according to the cited reference.

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• 1990Move production to Lembeek and begin modern brewery operationsStrategy

  Following Frank Boon's acquisition of the De Vits operation, the brewery moved from Hondzocht to Lembeek. The new site was intended to support continued lambic-oriented production with modern brewing equipment.

  What changed. Boon began producing beer at the Lembeek site in the autumn of 1990 and developed the brewery in partnership with Palm Belgian Craft Brewers.

  Aftermath. Reported production increased from approximately 450 hectolitres in 1990 to 5,000 hectolitres in 2000 and 14,000 hectolitres in 2011.

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• 2016Boon's distribution agreement with Palm ended

  The distribution arrangement between Boon and Palm came to an end during 2016, following changes in the companies' ownership and commercial relationship.

  Other
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• 2014Palm's 50% stake in Boon transferred to Diepensteyn NV

  The 50% interest previously associated with Palm Breweries was transferred to Palm's parent company, Diepensteyn NV.

  M&ALeadership change
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• Boon Brewery's new brewing hall opened in Lembeek

  A new Frank Boon brewing hall was reported as having officially opened, reflecting the brewery's investment in expanded or modernized production infrastructure.

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1. Boon Brewery