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HORAL vzw



copyright notice and disclaimer

This webpage was the first on-line page about HORAL or the "Hoge Raad voor Ambachtelijke Lambikbieren" E: High Comission for Traditional Lambicstyle Beers - free translation) which was founded to take care for the protection of the traditional geuze and other Lambicstyle beers; the effort is shared by several producers, beer merchands, pub owners and consumers.
The former beerconsumer organisation De Objectieve Bierproevers (OBP) with their OBP - geuze campagne and specially the local organisations: De Bierpallieters (Buggenhout, Belgium) and De Objectieve Proef Ajuinen (OPA), have a great interest in traditional geuze and other Lambicstyle beers and were involved in founding HORAL.

Members of HORAL v.z.w.

The history of HORAL dates back to 10 January 1997, when six producers of Lambic were invited by Armand Debelder at the 3 Fonteinen in Beerse, together with several members of beer societies. The first members were Frank Boon (Boon), Willem Van Herreweghen (De Cam), Jos Raes (De Troch), Armand Debelder (3 Fonteinen), Dirk Lindemans (Lindemans) and Jacques Van Cutsem (Timmermans). Cindy Hanssens joined them shortly thereafter.

Seven producers of traditional lambic style beers: Frank Boon (Boon), Willem Van Herreweghen (De Cam), Jos Raes (De Troch), Armand Debelder (Drie Fonteinen), Cindy Hanssens (Hanssens), Dirk Lindemans (Lindemans), and Jacques Van Cutsem (Timmermans) started HORAL v.z.w., together with several members of De Objectieve Proefajuinen (OPA), Bierpallieters and owners of several beerpubs serving traditional Lambicstyle beers: Antoine Derauw from "De Oude Pruim" in Beersel, Joost De Four from "De Heeren van Liedekercke" in Denderleeuw, Frank Cnudde from "Moriau", ... .

Armand Debelder

Armand Debelder (picture by Theo Flissebaalje from PINT, The Netherlands) from the lambicbrewer and geuzebelender Drie Fonteinen is the chairman of HORAL v.z.w., Dirk Lindemans from brewery Lindemans was the first secretary and Joost De Four from the beerpub De Heeren van Liedekercke was the first the chancelor of HORAL v.z.w..

The goals of HORAL v.z.w.


1) To promote the the traditional lambic-style beers, like geuze and related beers like kriek, this goes from brewing to serving the beer.
2) Point at irregularities concerning these beers. Protect the traditional lambic-style beers with respect to the legislation
3) Taking measures to protect the traditional lambic-style beers and the name geuze or gueuze.

The TOER DE GEUZE occurs every two years. The TOER DE GEUZE of 19 October 1997 was the first major public activity of HORAL vzw. Six producers opened their doors to the public on Sunday 19 October 1997 from 10 am. to 5 pm.
In 2001 the TOER DE GEUZE was held on 2 April.
In 2003 the TOER DE GEUZE was held on 27 April.
In 2005 the TOER DE GEUZE was held on 3 april 2005.
In 2007 the TOER DE GEUZE was held on 22 april 2007.
The next TOER DE GEUZE will be held in 2009.

You can go to http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pvosta/pcrbier1.htm and the breweries for more information.

HORAL v.z.w.
BROUWERIJ 3 FONTEINEN
Hoogstraat 2A
1650 Beersel
Tel: 02/306.71.03
Fax: 02/305.07.41

The author of this Webpage is Peter Van Osta
Email: pvosta at cs dot com