Affligem

The abbey in the village of Affligem was founded by six knights in 1074, and the first recorded mention of brewing on the site dates to 1129, making Affligem one of the oldest breweries and businesses in Belgium. Beer bottles still carry the label "anno 1074" and today's recipes date to that founding period. The brewery was founded by Benedictine monks, and the Affligem brand name continues to be used under licence from the abbey's monks. Brewing operations were lost during the French Revolution and the brand was revived in the early twentieth century; in 1917 German forces dismantled the copper tanks, halting production again. In 1970 the monks passed the Affligem recipe to De Smedt Brewery in Opwijk, and the beer has been produced there since.

The recipes incorporate pale malt alongside orange peel and coriander. Affligem's beers are marketed internationally and exported to countries around the world, and the brand's alcohol-free release has picked up an award.

Affligem operates as a regional brand within Heineken's European portfolio, a position it has held since 2013.