Curtius Classic, a blonde beer telling the story of Liège today
Created by two Liège agronomists in 2012, Curtius brings grains, hops and spices together in a floral, fruity blonde beer, refermented in the bottle.
A new chapter in the city's brewing story
In Liège, Curtius Classic has found a distinctive place between heritage and contemporary creativity. This 7% ABV blonde is the original beer of Brasserie {C}, founded in 2012 by François and Renaud, two young agronomists. What appeals to me is the way a recent venture has established itself in a city without trying to invent a past for itself. Its first premises were in the Saint-Léonard neighbourhood. The team then installed a microbrewery in the Béguinage du Saint-Esprit, a building dating from 1611, which opened in spring 2014. Read the history of Brasserie {C}.
Ingredients and several months of patience
The current recipe is presented as a combination of three grains, three hops and three spices. The beer's website specifically mentions barley and wheat malts and aromatic hops. Several fermentation stages spread over a number of months shape its evolving character. Bottle refermentation explains the yeast sediment at the bottom. This is useful when serving: the producer recommends storing the bottle upright and leaving the sediment behind when pouring, if you wish to follow its tasting advice. Discover how it is made and served.
A floral, fruity expression
Curtius is a blonde beer with moderate bitterness: the current specification gives 16 IBU. Aromatic hops guide the nose towards floral and fruity impressions. On the palate, a cereal base meets spicy freshness and subtle bitterness. The finish can be explored as a continuation of that balance, noticing the respective roles of fruit, hops and spices. The producer recommends serving at 6 to 8°C. These pointers sketch a delicate personality; they naturally leave room for every palate to tell its own story. See the Classic's characteristics.
From the garage to the beguinage
Before the historic buildings and terraces, the story began in François's garage. The two future founders brewed there on a small scale for several years before sharing the recipe that became Curtius. The anecdote appeals because it keeps the story human: a passion takes shape, meets the demands of a profession and then finds its audience. The contrast between garage and beguinage tells that progression in its own right.
Two addresses in one city
Since 2019, Fabrique {C}, in the Saint-Léonard neighbourhood, has given the business its own independent production facility. The public visitor address remains associated with the historic site on impasse des Ursulines, at the foot of the Montagne de Bueren. These two locations express complementary aspects of the brewery: expanding production and meeting the public in the old centre. An official tour presents the ingredients, brewing process and company history, followed by a tasting. Check the tour and booking options to plan this stop in Liège.
Photos and credits
Photo 1 — Brasserie {C} and restaurant on impasse des Ursulines in Liège in 2022; the historic visitor site. Dominic Nelson (BigDom) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
Photo 2 — Garden terrace of Brasserie {C} in Liège, photographed in 2017. Omondi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
Photo 3 — Terrace of Brasserie {C}'s historic site, the former Saint-Esprit beguinage in Liège, in 2017. Omondi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
For adults only. Enjoy in moderation.
