Houppe Classic, a Namur story continuing in Wépion
Born from a meeting between five people from Namur and launched in 2013, Houppe Classic combines copper highlights, citrus and bitterness. Since 2024, the brewery has occupied Wépion's former auction hall.
Five paths and a shared ambition
The Brasserie de Namur story begins with five people from Namur meeting in 2012. They wanted a characterful beer connected to their city. Houppe Classic was launched in 2013. This contemporary origin reminds us that brewing heritage is not confined to old-established businesses: new projects can also become local landmarks.
The first chapter unfolded in the former Balon-Perrin brewery beside the Meuse. Older information needs updating, however: in 2024, Houppe moved its equipment to Wépion's former auction hall. The official video presentations describe this transition. If you plan to visit, check the address rather than automatically following an archive photograph of the city centre.
The Classic, not the whole range
The maker's description presents the Classic as a 7.5% blonde with copper highlights, a fruity profile, citrus notes and bitterness built around several hops. The brewery also mentions extended conditioning and dry hopping. These details concern this specific beer, not every drink sold under the Houppe name.
To understand it, distinguish the aroma before tasting, the texture on the palate and the finish. Citrus describes an impression; it does not replace the ingredients list. Alcohol remains present despite an appealing aromatic balance. The label of your chosen product remains the right source for its strength and recommendations.
From strawberries to brewing tanks, a building finds a new life
The move to a former auction hall offers a very Namur anecdote: a place associated with the strawberry trade now houses a different kind of processing. This continuity of reused buildings is interesting in itself. It does not mean that Houppe Classic is a strawberry beer, or that all its ingredients come from Wépion.
Check visiting options and the official shop before travelling. Plan a journey home without driving if you intend to taste the beer. The photograph places Namur and the Meuse in context, as the setting of the original story; it does not depict the current Wépion facilities. The main purpose is to discover a craft and a city. Drink in moderation.
Photos and credits
Photo 1 — Namur and the Meuse in 2017, providing context for Houppe's history; not the current facilities in Wépion. Ravindra Hegade · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
