De Dolle Brouwers — which translates to 'The Mad Brewers' — is a celebrated craft brewery located in Esen, a small village in West Flanders, Belgium. The story began in 1980 when brothers Kris and Jo Herteleer started experimenting with home brewing using English supermarket kits. Their passion grew into something far greater when they took over the former Sint-Henricus brewery in Esen, a brewing site with roots dating back to 1835. The brewery has since become one of Belgium's most iconic independent craft operations, preserving old labels discovered on original 25cl bottles from the former Costenoble brewery that once occupied the site. De Dolle Brouwers brews in a distinctly artisanal style, crafting Belgian specialty beers with deep historical character. Their flagship beer, Oerbier — a Belgian Strong Dark Ale — started life as a homebrewed recipe before evolving into the brewery's cornerstone. The portfolio is defined by robust, complex ales that reflect traditional Belgian brewing values, combining rich malt character with the bold, expressive fermentation profiles for which Belgian craft beer is renowned. Among their most celebrated beers is Stille Nacht, a sought-after seasonal release that has earned a loyal following across Europe and beyond. De Dolle Brouwers is widely regarded as one of the most underrated yet most authentic craft breweries in the world, and their beers are distributed internationally through specialist importers.