Palm Breweries

In 1747 the first 'official' signs of brewing activity started in Steenhuffel. A census deed under the Ancien Régime lists merchants and merchants, including the taverns 'De Oude Croon', 'Het Hoefijzer' and 'De Drij Coninghen'. Two breweries, 'De Hoorn' and 'De Valck', are also mentioned. In 1929, the De Hoorn brewery, owned by Jean-Baptiste De Mesmaecker, would become the Palm Brewery.

In 1908, Henriette De Mesmaecker, great-granddaughter of Jean-Baptiste De Mesmaecker, married Arthur Van Roy, a descendant of Van Rhode. This Arthur Van Roy will give new impulses to beer production. During the rise of pilsner beers, he continued to hold on to his traditional top-fermented beer, prioritizing the individuality of his regional beer over the possible growth opportunities of pilsner beer. During the First World War, the brewery was totally destroyed. Arthur Van Roy rebuilds them and makes them bigger. He believes that he can also achieve success beyond the village borders with his top-fermented beer. In 1929 he gave 'the beer of Steenhuffel' the brand name: 'Speciale Palm', Speciale referring to the beer style 'Special Belge' and Palm as a sign of the victory of top-fermented beer over the increasingly popular lager.

Steenhuffel is now home to a modern brewing factory that can serve the growing market for specialty beers. Visits can be done in groups (min.15 and max. 50 people) and by reservation.

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