Celis Brewery re-opens in Austin, Texas

One of Austin’s first craft beer makers, Celis Brewery, is back again, serving its Belgian-style wit beer. What’s more, the brewery is staying in the family, under the command of founder Pierre Celis’ daughter, Christine. A grand opening was scheduled for 11 July 2017.

Mr Celis, a former milkman, is credited with the world-wide popularity of Beglian wit beer, after he started brewing this style of beer in Hoegaarden, Belgium, in the 1960s. When the 300,000 hl Hoegaarden brewery burnt down in 1985 he was forced to sell the company to Stella Artois (later renamed as Interbrew), now AB-InBev. He eventually left for Austin, where he opened the Celis Brewery in 1992 with the support of his daughter, and began brewing a wit beer again. But when his backers wanted a quick return on their investment, he was forced to clinch a deal with the Miller Brewing Company in 2000, which had nothing better to do than to close it down in the following year. Mr Celis passed away in 2011, aged 86, and his daughter, Christine, made it her task to revive the brewery and his brand.

Celis’ beer lineup, made from Mr Celis’ original recipes, includes three for now: the original Celis White, the Celis Pale Bock, and the reborn brewery’s first new one, the Celis Citrus Grandis IPA. Its beers have been making the rounds across Austin bars, and retail bottles will be available in Texas shops starting in August.

The Celis Brewery, with a capacity of 50,000 hl, will include a taproom with food and music. The bar features one of the brewery’s first copper kettles, which was sourced from the early 20th century.

Reportedly, Ms Celis was originally going to open the brewery as Flemish Fox Brewery, but she managed to recover Celis’ name and trademark. The team includes head brewer Craig Mycoskie, who worked at Rahr & Sons Brewing Company, as well as Ms Celis’ daughter, Daytona Camps, as a brewer.