In the late 1970s, in the middle of the Vallée des Fées (the Valley of  the Fairies), two brothers-in-law, Pierre Gobron and Chris Bauweraerts decided to create their own beer in the garage belonging to Chris’ mother-in-law. With the little money they had at the time, they began what the brewery’s fans now call the “Chouffe Story”. The 1st brew of 49 litres was produced on 27 August 1982.

By 1992 production had risen from 3,400 hectolitres to 5,000 hectolitres per year.  The brewery had invested in a new brewing house so that they could increase each brew from 22 hectolitres to 70 hectolitres. At the time, the Achouffe Brewery only produced large, 75cl bottles and “small” 20L barrels of La Chouffe and McChouffe. The 33cl bottles only appeared in May 2009.

N'ice is the brewery winter seasonal beer, reccomended for drinking by an open fire between October and February. It is rich, dark and as inviting as winter fruit cake as the wind howls outside. This is a heavy sup and leaves you feeling satisfied and full. A satisfying brooding umber with a foamy head and a complex nose with hints of nutmeg and cinammon and all things Christmas. The mouth is rich malt with a hint of choclate and a light bitterness to the aftertaste. This is a sipper, not a chugger. A delightful night time celebration after wrapping all those presents.

The Chouffe website can be browsed here