De Koninck Brewery, Antwerp (must see)

De Koninck Brewery (Brouwerij De Koninck) is a prominent Belgian brewery in Antwerp. The brewery is famously associated with its flagship beer, commonly ordered in bars as a "bolleke," referring to the distinctively shaped glass it is served in.

The origins of De Koninck Brewery trace back to an inn named "De Plaisante Hof" (The Merry Garden), situated along the road to Mechelen on the outskirts of Antwerp. Interestingly, this inn was located opposite the historic gallows field, now King Albert Park, where criminals were executed in the Middle Ages. A significant landmark at this site was a stone boundary post featuring a hand symbol, a token indicating that merchants entering the town were required to pay a toll. This "toll hand" became an integral part of the De Koninck Brewery’s identity, featured on its logo and still visible within the brewery premises today. This symbol is also a broader emblem of Antwerp itself, reputedly inspiring the city's name derived from the Dutch word for "hand."

The brewery's story began in earnest on June 26, 1827, when Joseph Henricus De Koninck purchased De Plaisante Hof. Following his death shortly after, his widow remarried Johannes Vervliet, who acquired the property from the estate in 1833, three years after Belgium gained independence. Vervliet transformed the inn into a brewery, aptly naming it "De Hand" in homage to the historic toll sign. By the time of his death in 1845, the brewery had gained substantial recognition, with its beer becoming increasingly popular in the region. Today, De Koninck Brewery remains a key part of Antwerp’s cultural and historical fabric, continuing to charm both locals and visitors with its rich history and beloved beers.