Hoegaarden Wit Blanche

Hoegaarden Wit Blanche is a world-renowned Belgian wheat beer (witbier) with historical roots tracing back to the village of Hoegaarden, Belgium. In 1445, local monks created the unique recipe by experimenting with exotic botanicals like coriander and orange peel—spices that were becoming available through Dutch colonial trade routes. This distinctive blend transformed the traditionally sour wheat beers of the era into the refreshing, citrusy, and naturally cloudy beverage known today.

The brand faced a decline in the mid-20th century, with the last traditional local brewery closing in 1957. However, the style was salvaged in 1965 by Pierre Celis, a milkman who revived the original monk's recipe in his own brewery. Following a devastating fire in 1985, Celis entered into a partnership with the brewing giant Interbrew (which later evolved into AB InBev) to rebuild. This transition secured the brand's global distribution and future.

Today, while the spiritual home and a major production facility remain in the original village of Hoegaarden, Belgium, the brand is part of a global supply chain. To maintain freshness and efficiency in international markets, it is also brewed in other licensed facilities across locations such as China, Vietnam, and India. The brand is ultimately owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewing conglomerate, headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.