Fagnes Blonde: getting close to the brewing in Mariembourg
Previously known as Super des Fagnes, this 7.5% blonde can be discovered in Mariembourg, among a working brewery, family heritage and delicate spices.
A blonde that brings you closer to brewing
In Mariembourg, Fagnes Blonde has a delightful asset: it brings beer back to how it is made. Brasserie des Fagnes stands on route de Nismes, in the municipality of Couvin, in southern Namur province. You can look at the equipment, understand the work and then sit down for a meal on site. I like this approach to a regional product: the landscape is no longer just a picture on the label, but becomes part of your day out.
You may have known it as Super des Fagnes. The brewery simplified its range's name in 2017; the current name is Fagnes Blonde. Its recent history involves Frédéric Adant, who relaunched Super des Fagnes after finishing his studies in 1994, before the Mariembourg brewery opened in 1998. The producer's family history explains this continuity without confusing the birth of a brand with the opening of its production site.
Spice, rounded flavours and a little curiosity
This golden blonde is 7.5% ABV and pours with a creamy head. The brewery describes a fragrant, lightly spicy aroma, with coriander and liquorice providing recognisable pointers. Orange peel is also among its ingredients. On the palate, the interest lies in following the meeting of these aromatic accents with the malty body, then noticing which linger after the sip. The specification gives 22 IBU: a useful indication of bitterness, without pretending that this alone sums up the balance or finish.
I would suggest trying it with some cheese, bread and a few minutes of conversation about the aromas each person recognises. This is a pairing suggestion that you are free to adapt. The brewer's specification recommends serving between 6 and 10°C. Serving it cool, then allowing it to warm slightly in the glass, offers a simple comparison between the first impression and the final sip.
Past and present in a single visit
The production process uses top fermentation and bottle refermentation. The 2025 technical specification lists barley malt, Hallertau hops and the three spices. In the museum, another story takes over: equipment from the former Degauquier brewery in Chimay, active from 1858 to 1977, presents the tools of another era. It is a pleasing connection between places: a brewery in Namur province preserves the memory of a Chimay business.
The route then offers views of the modern working brewery. Self-guided visits are advertised during opening hours; guided visits can also be booked. Pipes connect the tanks directly to the bar taps for beers served on site. Check the official visiting arrangements before setting out: the experience is even more engaging when it coincides with the brewers at work.
Photos and credits
Photo 1 — Exterior view of Brasserie des Fagnes in Mariembourg in 2006. Sietske~commonswiki · Public domain — PD-self · Source.
Photo 2 — Historic brewing machinery displayed in the Brasserie des Fagnes museum in Mariembourg in 2006. Sietske~commonswiki (original 2006 version, preserved in the Commons file history) · Public domain — PD-self · Source.
For adults only. Enjoy in moderation.
