Brouwerij De Brabandere - Bavik Super Wit

Super Wit presents a bright golden-straw color in the glass, topped with plenty of white foam. There’s some haziness, as we expect for the style. Belgian witbiers are traditionally brewed with orange peel and coriander, as Bavik has done here, and these additions are readily apparent in the aroma as they offer up a bright citrusy spice note that melds nicely with the beer’s yeasty spice overtones. In the flavor, this World Beer Challenge 2021 Silver Medal winner delivers a base of pale malt and wheat, offering some crackery and lightly tart notes. There’s a mild hop bitterness here, which is well-balanced with the malt core, while the spicy and citric notes take center stage. The overall effect is one of extreme drinkability and refreshment, and it’s certainly no wonder American interpretations of this Belgian style, including the well-known Blue Moon and Shock Top, have become so popular. Bavik’s authentic version strikes us as particularly crisp and satisfying, and it will pair nicely with delicate seafood dishes like grilled shrimp, fish tacos, seared scallops, and sushi. Salads with chicken, or citrus-marinated grilled chicken breast will work nicely, too, as will fresh goat cheeses. Cheers!

In 1894, Flemish farmer Adolphe De Brabandere requested authorization to build a brewery in a small village in the south of Western Flanders – Bavikhove. Like most farmers of his day, Adolphe knew how to brew beer and did so at his farmhouse, using his brew for the family’s consumption. Four generations later, Brouwerij De Brabandere (until 2014 known as Brouwerij Bavik) is today as it was then: a family business. The adoption of the family name for the brewery underscores the importance of this fact to the brewery. Despite many corporate buy-outs of numerous Belgian breweries, some as old as 500 years of age, Brouwerij De Brabandere is determined to retain their independence while guaranteeing the same quality, character, and regional specificity that their various beers have enjoyed for over 125 years.

The brewery’s first principal brewer was Adolphe’s son, Joseph De Brabandere. In 1894 the number of smaller breweries in Belgium was already in decline as a result of the hugely popular Pilsner style of beer. This type of light-colored, bottom-fermented lager quickly superseded Belgium’s traditional local ales in popularity. A true entrepreneur and wise businessman, Joseph De Brabandere capitalized on this new trend in beer drinking and became the most important Pilsner brewer in his region.

The family business enjoyed its successful standing in the area until 1914 when the German army invaded the region and confiscated the brewery, forcing its closure during World War I. Incredibly, after the turmoil and devastation of the war, Joseph was able to restart the brewery. But, with the outbreak of the Second World War, the brewery’s fate was again threatened. Miraculously, Joseph’s wife Gabrielle was able to convince the Germans to keep the brewery open during the war. Eventually, the brewery passed to Joseph and Gabrielle’s children who developed the brewery further through modernization and market expansion. In 2017, Albert De Brabandere, representing the fifth generation of family brewers, took over the brewery from his father Ignace. Today, Brouwerij De Brabandere is the largest brewery of West Flanders, and their immaculate and gleaming stainless steel and old-fashioned copper kettles produce the well-respected Bavik, Petrus, Wittekerke, and Kwaremont lines. For more info, visit www.brouwerijdebrabandere.be/en.