Brussels, the cradle of modern distilling

Belgium is well known for some of the best beer in the world, but not everyone is aware that Brussels—specifically the Koekelberg neighborhood—is the cradle of modern distilling. (For those who don’t know, brewery is where you make beer, and distillery is the place where you produce spirits like gin, vodka, whisky etc.) 

A shot of Vivre, Brussels Craft Vodka by Tipsy Tribe Brewery & Distillery

Koekelberg is the neighborhood on the North-West of Brussels mostly famous for its iconic Basilica. When I first arrived in Koekelberg it looked like any other neighborhood in Brussels: same streets, bars, cafes… but I recently found out that this place plays a very significant role in the history of modern distilleries.

Back in the days, people were distilling using pot stills, which produced spirits with a lot of flavor. However pot stills are not the most efficient way to extract high proof alcohol. 

Then came the industrial revolution and Belgium became the first “revolutionated” materic country. It was during this period that the J.P. Cellier-Blumenthal moved to Koekelberg and began experimenting with what is now known as one of the biggest inventions in the history of distillation - column still. The column still allowed producers to make spirits more efficiently (higher proof alcohol) and in industrial volumes, thus lowering costs. Plus the column still also looked really cool:) So it became very popular, starting in the 19th century and till nowadays.  

As fate would have it, two centuries after the invention of the modern column still, Koekelberg is again in the spotlight as Tipsy Tribe set up shop in Koekelberg and produced the first whisky ever produced in Brussels! If you join a guided tour, you can learn all about the world of distilling and cap it off by enjoying a cocktail right after a brewery and distillery tour.. 

Ps. Belgium is also well known for Genever - the precursor to gin  - but today for this blog I’m just covering the topic of the modern still.