Located in Bruges, Belgium, Brouwerij De Halve Maan ("Half Moon Brewery") was founded in 1856 by Leon (also known as Henri I) Maes, and has remained family owned and operated ever since; it is, in fact, one of the very last working family breweries in the Bruges city center.
In the early 1980s the brewery was struggling and Veronique, great-great granddaughter of Henri I, was approached by the mayor, who requested a special ale to commemorate the inauguration of the new statue of Saint Arnold, patron of beer brewers.
Since interest in traditional beer styles was on the rise, Veronique crafted a top fermented, high alcohol ale which became an instant hit, so much so the mayor would require it served at all official town hall receptions.
Today, under the guidance of a sixth generation of the Maes family, the Halve Maan Brewery exports award-winning ales worldwide and is one of the fastest growing breweries in Belgium.