Brasserie d'Achouffe
Brasserie d'Achouffe brews in the village of Achouffe in the Belgian Ardennes and is best known under the name La Chouffe. Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts brewed their first batch here in 1982. The blond, spiced La Chouffe is the best-known beer, recognisable by the gnome with the red hat on the label.
- LocationHouffalize, Région Wallonne
- Founded1982
- TypeRegional brewery
- Untappd 3.65 · 1.5M ratings
- At Hoptimaal1 in stock · 3 in total
In stock now 1
Previously at Hoptimaal 2
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How it started in the Ardennes
Achouffe is a village in the Belgian Ardennes. Two brothers-in-law and beer lovers, Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts, decided to make their own beer there. They brewed their first batch on 27 August 1982: 49 litres of La Chouffe, brewed in two antique laundry kettles. Pierre Celis was their great example and Hoegaarden Grand Cru was the inspiration for the first beer.
What started as a hobby soon became a full-time job. In 1986 Pierre and Chris bought the farm where they had already been brewing for four years and made beer their work. In 1992 a new brewhouse followed: batches grew from 22 to 70 hectolitres and annual production from 3,400 to 5,000 hectolitres. At that point the brewery only released La Chouffe and Mc Chouffe, in 75 cl bottles and 20-litre kegs.
In 2006 the brewery became part of Duvel Moortgat. Since then, among other things, the brewing capacity has doubled and a new water treatment plant has been added. The 33 cl bottles appeared in May 2009.
The beers of La Chouffe
The best-known beer is La Chouffe, in the range since 1982 and 8% ABV. The Oxford Companion to Beer calls the spiced flavour and the gnome with the red hat and beard on the label, the 'Chouffe', a fanciful local mascot. Mc Chouffe followed in 1987 and is also 8%. Chouffe Bok 6.666 has existed since 1991 and is 6.6%.
N'Ice Chouffe (1993) is 10% and is spiced with thyme and curaçao peel. Houblon Chouffe from 2006 is a cross between an IPA and a tripel at 9% and was renamed Chouffe IPA in 2025. Most of the beers are fully bottle conditioned. Newer additions are Cherry Chouffe (2018), La Chouffe Alcohol-Free (2023) and Chouffe Lite 4.0% (2024). The beers are exported to more than 20 countries.
Brasserie d'Achouffe at Hoptimaal
At Hoptimaal you'll find a blond, a bock and alcohol-free or low-alcohol beer from Brasserie d'Achouffe, from 0.4 to 8%. Most of it comes in 33 cl bottles, and La Chouffe Blond is also available in 75 cl. On Untappd, La Chouffe Blond, the 75 cl bottle, d'Achouffe Chouffe Bok 6666 and La Chouffe 0.4 are rated highest. What's in stock changes.
Drink the blond fresh and cool, but not ice-cold, so the spices stay easy to taste. The Chouffe Bok can be taken a bit slower and slightly less cold, which brings out the malt character better. The 75 cl bottle is easy to share between two.
Frequently asked questions
Where does La Chouffe come from?
La Chouffe is brewed by Brasserie d'Achouffe in the village of Achouffe in the Belgian Ardennes. The first batch was brewed on 27 August 1982 by Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts. Since 2006 the brewery has been part of Duvel Moortgat.
What kind of beer does Brasserie d'Achouffe make?
The best-known beer is La Chouffe, a spiced blond at 8%. The brewery also brews Mc Chouffe, Chouffe Bok 6.666, N'Ice Chouffe, Chouffe IPA, Cherry Chouffe and alcohol-free and light versions, among others.
How do you drink La Chouffe best?
Drink the blond fresh and cool, so the spiciness comes through well. Most of the brewery's beers are bottle conditioned, so pour slowly and watch the sediment.
