A new Lambicus Experience Center at Timmermans — the world’s oldest lambic brewery — has been officially opened.
The Lambicus Experience Center is officially inaugurated in the presence of: government minister Ben Weyts; Tom Dehaene, deputy of the province of Flemish Brabant; and Stijn Quaghebeur, mayor of Dilbeek
The centre brings the history, craftsmanship, and distinctive character of Timmermans to life in an interactive and technologically innovative way.
From 1st June, visitors will be able to discover how lambic is made, why spontaneous fermentation is so exceptional, and the role Timmermans has played in the story of this remarkable beer since 1702.
After 12 months of renovation work, the historic brewery site in Itterbeek is once again fully accessible to visitors. The renovated bar had already re-opened earlier. With the Lambicus Experience Center, the second and final phase of the renovation has now been completed. The result is a playful, innovative, and child-friendly experience that combines tradition and technology.
“With the opening of the Lambicus Experience Center, we are realising an ambition that has been close to our hearts for years,” said Antony R Martin, chief executive of the Anthony Martin Group, owner of the Timmermans brand. “To preserve and strengthen this exceptional place, while opening it up to the world.
“Timmermans is not a museum where time stands still, but a living brewery where heritage, innovation, and hospitality are combined. We wanted to create an experience centre unlike any other: a place where visitors not only learn about lambic, but, above all, feel why this beer is so unique. Being able to showcase this today is a particularly important milestone for us.”
The centre has been designed as a self-guided experience: an interactive adventure that invites visitors to explore the brewery at their own pace. Thanks to a mobile tool, every step comes to life. By scanning objects along the way, visitors receive interactive content directly onto their smartphones. Three avatars guide them through the brewery’s iconic spaces, from the brewhouse to the impressive foeder room.
Timmermans Brewery was founded in 1702 and is the world’s oldest lambic brewery still in operation. Brewing still takes place in an authentic historic setting. Features such as the 19th-century grain crusher and the impressive coolship help define the site’s distinctive character. The brewery is recognised as a protected historic monument.
