Pierre Celis

Pierre Celis

Pierre Celis (1925–2011) was a Belgian brewer who is credited with reviving the Belgian witbier style of beer. He is best known for founding the Hoegaarden Brewery and later the Celis Brewery in Austin, Texas.

Early Life

Pierre Celis was born in 1925 in the small village of Hoegaarden, Belgium. He grew up in a family with a long tradition of brewing, and from a young age, he developed a passion for the craft.

Career

Hoegaarden Brewery

In 1966, Celis founded the Hoegaarden Brewery in his hometown. He used traditional brewing methods and ingredients to recreate the witbier style, which had nearly disappeared in Belgium. The beer, a cloudy, spiced, and refreshing brew, quickly gained popularity.

Celis Brewery

In 1992, after a fire destroyed the Hoegaarden Brewery, Celis moved to Austin, Texas, where he founded the Celis Brewery. He introduced his Belgian-style witbier to the American market, contributing to the craft beer revolution in the United States.

Legacy

Pierre Celis is remembered as a pioneer in the brewing industry. His dedication to traditional brewing methods and his revival of the witbier style have had a lasting impact on the beer industry, both in Belgium and the United States.

See Also

• Belgian Beer
• Craft Beer
• Brewing

References

• Pierre Celis: The Man Who Saved Witbier
• The Legacy of Pierre Celis
• The History of Hoegaarden Brewery
• The Story of Celis Brewery

External Links

• Official Website of Celis Brewery