Donder Brewery, Vlezenbeek

Donder is currently without any doubt one of the smallest lambic breweries in the Pajottenland. During the 2023-2024 brewing season, a total of just over 80 hectoliters was produced. After some commendable homebrews, Donder started in 2020. The brewery was founded by four Brussels residents, Filip Fransen, Jan Hoffmann, Mathieu Lautrédoux, Wiet Vandormael, and one Pajot, Koen Van Leeuw.

The five make lambic, saison and oud bruin. All brews are allowed to ferment spontaneously. The brewing installation has a capacity of only 3 hectoliters. After boiling, the wort is pumped to two coolships (one of approximately 200 liters and one half smaller). These were installed on the top floor of the mini brewhouse in the Vlezenbeek hamlet of Sobroek. In the also very small barrel warehouse, the lambic, saison and old brown are maturing in 34 wine barrels, originating from Chambertin from the Burgundy region and Piedmont.

The five use as much as possible locally grown grains, fruit and herbs. In addition to a pure saison and oud bruin, they like to experiment with fruit in combination with a herb. With these signature beers, the five of Donder want to tell the story of the Pajottenland in a contemporary way.