Waterloo Triple Blonde: a beer at the heart of Mont-Saint-Jean
At the Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean, Waterloo Triple Blonde combines top fermentation, malty roundness and a hoppy finish. A stop where battlefield heritage meets a working brewery in Walloon Brabant.
A farm that tells Waterloo's story
The Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean is more than an address on a label. At the heart of the Waterloo battlefield, this former British field hospital now houses a microbrewery, distillery, museum and visitor spaces. Waterloo Triple Blonde forms part of this renewed life for Brabant's heritage: discovering the product also helps explain a place.
The brand's modern revival predates its arrival here. The official website traces a launch by Adrien Desclée in 2005, then a partnership with Anthony Martin in 2013. The Martin family bought the farm in 2014 and restored it. Its inauguration during the 2015 bicentenary marked the meeting of the site's memory with new tourism and brewing activities.
A genuine production facility
Brewing at Mont-Saint-Jean is described on the official farm and Waterloo websites. The microbrewery has equipment for ten-hectolitre batches, with suitable vessels and cooling facilities. The brand's connection with the place therefore rests on actual production, beyond simply evoking the battle.
Triple Blonde is a top-fermented beer at 8% ABV. Its first fermentation lasts several weeks; a second fermentation in the bottle then completes its aromatic development. This sequence helps explain its effervescence and character. Characteristics of Saison Bio or the range's fruit beers should not be attributed to it: each recipe has its own ingredients and balance.
Aroma, palate and finish
The official description states a golden colour, fine bubbles and a dense head. Yeast and fruit lead the nose, accompanied by delicate hop nuances. Green apple and lime blossom are among the impressions published by the producer: pointers to explore in the glass, not an identical promise for every tasting.
On the palate, malt brings a full, smooth impression. Hops return in a fresh finish whose bitterness balances that roundness. The brewery emphasises a persistent aromatic presence. Here we convey the brewer's stated profile rather than presenting these lines as a personal tasting. Its suggested pairing with grilled meat offers a food idea for continuing the discovery at the table.
The chalice, a craft in its own right
The drinking vessel has its own story. To accompany the Waterloo range, the brewers approached a master potter from the region. The farm states that making a chalice by hand takes seven days. This small object extends the encounter between beer and local craft well beyond military imagery.
Organising a visit
The farm offers paid visits to the brewery and distillery, as well as group options by reservation. Languages, times and content vary with the package. Check the official tours page before coming to 591 chaussée de Charleroi. For product characteristics, also see the official Waterloo range.
Photos and credits
Photo 1 — View of the Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean in Waterloo, photographed in October 2015. Paul Hermans · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
Photo 2 — Buildings of the Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean, home to the Waterloo microbrewery, in 2015. Paul Hermans · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
Photo 3 — Another view of the Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean in Waterloo in October 2015. Paul Hermans · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
For adults only. Enjoy in moderation.
