Gouyasse Blonde, a beer born for Ath's Ducasse
Since its first brew in 2000, the giant Goliath has accompanied a blonde whose malt, fruit and light bitterness connect beer with Ath folklore.
Ath's giant becomes a beer name
Gouyasse is connected with Ath through its very name: Gouyasse means Goliath in local speech. Brasserie des Légendes dates its birth to 2000 for the Ducasse. Its label features the giant and the memory of David facing Goliath. Distinguish the age of the folklore from that of the beer: the former gives the latter a setting but does not turn a contemporary recipe into a medieval drink.
A project established in Irchonwelz
The brewery's story connects the venture with Pierre Delcoigne and Vinciane Wergifosse, then the restoration of the Castel d'Irchonwelz between 1997 and 2000. The first brew began a project whose name later became Brasserie des Légendes. The 2025 municipal bulletin looks back over this quarter-century. The story shows how old architecture can welcome a recent activity without presenting the walls' age as the recipe's age.
A profile between malt and fruit
The producer's technical sheet describes a 6% ABV blonde with light bitterness and malt and fruit notes touched by citrus. These pointers do not promise the same sensation to everyone; they indicate the brewer's intended direction. Malt builds the cereal base, fruit adds another expression and hops do not seek to dominate. Local identity can thus express itself through balance rather than escalating strength.
The twin-sister anecdote
The producer distinguishes Gouyasse, mainly distributed around Ath, from its twin sister Goliath Blonde, distributed more widely. The name changes scale while keeping the same reference to the giant. This is useful for understanding why similar labels can tell of different markets. The brewery also highlights barley from its family farm Beauregard. The production account connects the grain with malt, brewing and fermentation: folklore is supported by agricultural and technical work.
A visit connected with the right site
The two Brasserie des Légendes sites, Ath and Ellezelles, should not be confused. The producer identifies Ath as the brewing location for Gouyasse and Goliath. Visitor arrangements should be checked for the chosen day, independently of past events. The article thus retains a clear link between a beer, a town and living folklore.
Drink in moderation.
Photos and credits
Photo 1 — The fortified house at Irchonwelz, home of Brasserie des Légendes, photographed on 7 May 2022. Jmh2o · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
