In 1862, farmer Henri De Backer established a jenever distillery on his square farm in Balegem (Oosterzele). Through the marriage of De Backer's daughter, the distillery passed to the Van Damme family in 1885, with whom Balegem jenever would be associated from then on. In 1898, the old distillery was replaced by a brand-new steam distillery. The steam engine was built by the Ghent-based company Le Phoenix, while the steam boiler was manufactured by Chaudronnerie Louis Fassin, also from Ghent. The plant, with the exception of a few pieces of equipment, is still in use.

Today, Van Damme is the last remaining warm agricultural distillery in the Benelux. In 2010, the distillery was designated a protected monument. In addition to the distillery itself, the equipment, the accompanying farm, the cobblestone road, and the orchard were also protected.
(Etwie)

Translated by Google •

DirkWi

September 6, 2023

Balegem jenever has been distilled here since 1865 (according to the label on the bottles even 1862). It is the last distillery farm in the Benelux that grows the grain for its gin itself.
Today the distillery has a gin café, a gin shop and a community room.
The square farm also houses a guest house with 6 rooms.

Source: information boards on site

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 40 m

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Location: Oosterzele, Gent, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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