Mort Subite

The first mention of this farm-brewery dates back to 1604 and the first listed brewer was Joris Van der Hasselt in 1686. Generations later, in 1869, Felix Jan De Keersmaeker (1840-1912) took over the brewery of Jan Baptist Bastaerts (1787- 1869).

His son Hubert De Keersmaeker (1896-1945) – Mayor of Kobbegem – released during the interwar period the top-fermented beer Hart Ale on the market in the 50s, followed by the bottom-fermented Kob Pils. The company was owned by brothers André and Paul De Keersmaeker, who later became staatsscretaris in the Belgian federal government.

In 1970 De Keersmaeker acquired Mort Subite, the famous Brussels café with geuzestekerij, from the brothers Vossen. The name Mort Subite comes from the dice pietjesbak. The loser of this game is called a “dead“. If there is little time left, they played a shortened version: the “Mort Subite“. The café Vossen took hold this game, then decided the cafe was also to give the name.

Since the acquisition are Lambic, Geuze and fruit beers, the main products in the range, under the name Mort Subite. In 1989, the brewery Eylenbosch was also taken from Schepdaal.

When the brothers De Keersmaeker sold their shares to the group Alken-Maes, it was the new owner. Since 2008, the brewery group, in turn, part of the Dutch Heineken.

Mort Subite was and is still a member of the High Council for Artisanal Lambic Beers (HORAL).