Brouwerij Van Steenberge traces its roots back to 1784, when Jean Baptiste de Bruin founded a farm brewery known as 'De Peer' in Ertvelde, in the East Flanders region of Belgium. Located near the city of Ghent, the brewery has remained in family hands for over two centuries and is currently led by Jef Versele, the sixth generation of the founding family. From humble beginnings with horse-drawn beer carts, Van Steenberge has grown into one of Belgium's most respected and internationally recognised brewing establishments. The brewery is celebrated for its rich portfolio of Belgian specialty beers, spanning styles from golden strong ales and tripels to imperial stouts. Van Steenberge is perhaps best known for its flagship Gulden Draak — the 'golden dragon' — a dark, bottle-refermented strong ale with a wine-like character that has become an icon of Belgian brewing. The name references the dragon that adorns the Belfry of Ghent, a symbol deeply tied to the city's heritage. Alongside Gulden Draak, the brewery also produces the Tripel Van De Garre, brewed exclusively for the legendary beer bar De Garre in Bruges. Van Steenberge's international reputation reached new heights when it was named Brewery of the Year at the 9th edition of the London Beer Competition in 2026, with multiple Gulden Draak variants recognised among the winning beers. The accolade underscores the brewery's consistent quality and its enduring commitment to Belgian brewing tradition.