Bogaerden – that’s the name brewers Koen and Willem gave to their spontaneously fermented beers. Named after the little village in the Pajot region where it all began for them. Today, Sako brews its traditional lambic beers in a modern brewery in Gooik. Using local ingredients and maturing the beer in 400-litre wooden barrels, each beer develops its own character and depth. You can sample the beers in the cosy tasting room, with the cooling vessel taking centre stage.
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Practical
This brewery is part of the Lambiekland Passport.
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Location and accessibility
In the spacious courtyard in front of the brewery.
Story
Patience, craftsmanship and respect for nature. These are the key ingredients of traditional lambic beers, according to brewers Koen Christiaens and Willem Van Herreweghen. They set up their Sako brewery in the village of Bogaarden and now brew in Gooik, in a modern yet classic facility. There is plenty of space there for their barrels and large wooden casks, providing a storage capacity of 1,750 hectolitres.
The name of their spontaneously fermented beers, Bogaarden, refers to their origins. “We carry a love for lambic and geuze with us from our Pajot roots,” say the brewers. “We want not only to preserve that heritage, but also to pass it on. With beer that stands the test of time: brewed according to centuries-old tradition, with a fresh outlook on the future.”
Their lambic matures in 400-litre barrels, which provide the best ratio of surface area to volume for a smooth, controllable maturation process. Sako sources its ingredients locally; for instance, the wheat comes from Hof te Kattem in Roosdaal. And tasting? You can do that in the cosy tasting room surrounding the cooling tank.
Another interesting fact: in the well-known lambic café De Bascule in Pepingen, Sako’s wort matures in the cellar, forming the basis for the Oude Geuze De Bascule.
Experience
Koen and Willem, the driving forces behind Bogaerden, warmly welcome you to their brewery in Gooik.
Visit and guided tour
Every Saturday, the brewery opens its doors and you can take a look behind the scenes. Tasting takes place around the large cooling tank in the tasting room.
🧍🏻 Every Saturday from 10.00 to 13.00. Every first Saturday of the month from 10.00 to 17.00.
🧍🏻🧍🏻Guided tours available in Dutch, French, German and English. A visit lasts 120 minutes.
🦽 The shop and the brewery are accessible; the tasting room is not. No adapted toilet facilities.
Tasting room
You’ll walk through the brewing process, past the brewhouse, the cooling tank and the wooden barrels, and finish with a tasting session featuring four carefully selected beers. By appointment.
💶 19 euros per person, including a tasting of four samples.
Walking and cycling in the area
