Brasserie d'Achouffe

The story begins in the late 1970s, in the middle of the Vallée des Fées (the Valley of the Fairies), when two brothers-in-law, Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts decided to create their own beer in the garage belonging to Chris’ mother-in-law. With the little money they had at the time, they began what the brewery’s fans now call the “Chouffe Story”. Their first brew of 49 litres was produced on 27 August 1982

Initially considered a hobby, the Achouffe Brewery developed when, after 4 years, the brothers-in-law decided to purchase the farm in which they had been brewing. Shortly afterwards they both embarked on their venture full time in 1986.

In 1992 production rose from 3,400 hectolitres to 5,000 hectolitres per year. The brewery had invested in a new brewing house so that they could increase each brew from 22 hectolitres to 70 hectolitres. At the time, the Achouffe Brewery only produced large, 75cl bottles and “small” 20L barrels of La Chouffe and Mc Chouffe. The 33cl bottles only appeared in May 2009.

“CHOUFFE DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING!”

The brand’s name has the following story. During a lunch break, one of Chris’ colleagues said with his mouth full “You should call your beer Oumpf!” “Oumpf” retorted Chris, his colleague swallowed his mouthful of food and for the first time came out with the word “Chouffe”. It meant absolutely nothing, but after sleeping on it for a few nights and pondering over it, Chris was convinced. His co-founder had the same first reaction as he did “Chouffe doesn’t mean anything!” But he too, after a few nights of reflection, changed his mind.

So they launched a beer with a word that had no meaning – but was easy to pronounce.