Brouwerij Haacht

The brewery sits in Boortmeerbeek, nestled between Leuven, Mechelen and Brussels. In its early days, a steam tram nicknamed the 'beer tram' carried wooden barrels to thirsty Brussels drinkers. By the mid-twentieth century it had grown into one of Belgium's larger independent operations. Today, around 400 people work there, making it Belgium's third-largest pilsner producer.

Their flagship is Primus, a straightforward Belgian pils that has been around for half a century. The alcohol-free version, Primus NA at 0.4% ABV, follows the same philosophy: nothing fancy, just well-made beer. It sits alongside a lower-strength 2.6% option for those who want to pace themselves without going completely alcohol-free.

Beyond Primus, the brewery's portfolio runs deep. Tongerlo delivers abbey-style beers, Charles Quint offers golden and ruby ales, Super 8 covers the craft-curious crowd, and Mystic handles the fruit beer territory. They also distribute wines, waters, coffees and soft drinks across Belgium's hospitality sector.

You won't find Brouwerij Haacht making bold claims about revolutionising alcohol-free brewing. Their approach is simpler: make reliable beer that Belgian pubs and cafés want to stock. The Primus NA has earned recognition at international taste competitions, which suggests the understated approach is working. For drinkers exploring Belgian alcohol-free options, Haacht represents the traditional end of the spectrum. No gimmicks, no hype. Just a family brewery doing what it has done for four generations.