(Brouwerij De Koninck) was founded in 1833 by Johannes Vervliet in Antwerp, Belgium and was originally called Brouwerij De Hand (“The Hand Brewery” in Flemish), in reference to a sculpture of a hand nearby. In 1912 the brewery was renamed Brasserie Charles De Koninck (Charles De Koninck Brewery) and has since been run by the Van Bauwel and Van den Bogaert families.

The De Koninck Brewery produces four types of beers. De Koninck (5% ABV) is the largest seller and is made from 100% malt and hopped with only Saaz hops. See saaz (hop). It is the original beer from this brewery. The unique De Koninck ale yeast provides the signature biscuity flavor profile. De Koninck Blond (originally called Anton Blond), introduced in 1999 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of painter Anthony Van Dyke, is a 6% ABV ale with a pale golden color and higher alcohol. De Koninck Tripel (8% ABV), launched in 1993, is a tripel-style ale that is brewed with organic cane sugar in addition to malt and Saaz hops; this beer is filtered. Winter Koninck (6.5% ABV) is a copper-colored seasonal winter offering.

Throughout the city of Antwerp, De Koninck ale is known simply as “De Koninck” and is generally served in a unique goblet called a “bolleke.” The bolleke showcases the creamy head, amber color, and delicate aromatics of De Koninck, and the word “bolleke” has come to be virtually synonymous with the beer itself. Many establishments that serve the bolleke also provide a shot glass filled with fresh yeast from the brewery; this can be added to the beer or drunk on the side.

The De Koninck Brewery enjoyed considerable success in the 1990s, reaching production volumes of 130,000 hectoliters (110,782 US bbls), but it has struggled in recent years. In August of 2010 the brewery was sold to Duvel Moortgat, brewers of Duvel and several other Belgian beer brands, who announced their intent to reinvigorate the brand.

See also belgium.