Origins
It was in the old family farm that André Grolet began the adventure in 2005. He was motivated by the need to make use of the buildings as well as a great desire to encourage regional commerce. So, he decided to try and realise a dream he had: to produce his own beer! That was the start of the Au Grimoire des Légendes micro-brewery. The Elfique Ambrée had arrived. The quality of the product soon met with universal praise and success followed. He moved on with the Triple Brune dark beer, a craft beer which was also very successful, obtaining several medals at competitions. Over the years, the brewery developed and took the brand name: “Elfique”.
To cope with this success, but also to continue the vision of developing a local project, in 2016 Elfique acquired some land in Raborive, between Aywaille and Comblain-au-Pont, along the banks of the Amblève, with the aim of setting up a new brewery.
With the introduction of modern, semi-automated production equipment, the brewery was able to expand its capacity from 1,000 to 6,000 hl a year.
This expansion is being carried out without losing sight of the Elfique legend, as the site stands at the foot of the castle which looks out over La Belle Roche, and which, since the 16th century has been in turn a forge, a glass works, a marble works and eventually a quarry.
A taste of Mystery
The Elfique project is well-rooted in the Ourthe Amblève region, and it takes its inspiration from the past, the people, their legends; but it is determined to show itself as forward-looking, modern and innovative. Mystery has always been at the heart of the Elfique story.
The name comes from the small beings often to be found in the legends of the valley of the Amblève river. They lived in the forests and the nearby caves such as the Grottes de Remouchamps or the Vallon des Chantoirs. These stories were told by the 19th century Belgian writer, Marcellin La Garde.
All of them offer a taste of mystery, a clever mix between easy-drinking beer with well-balanced flavours, with intriguing aromas experienced by the palate when tasting the beer.
Elfique craft beers are also well-rooted in legend! All of them offer a taste of mystery, a clever mix between easy-drinking beer with well-balanced flavours, with intriguing aromas experienced by the palate when tasting the beer.
André Grolet, a talented brewer
Passion and perseverance and also the desire to provide taste buds with straightforward great-tasting beers: that’s what motivates André Grolet, the creator of Elfique craft beers. Having travelled the world for 2 years to find out all the secrets of this beverage, especially in Canada, where he perfected his brewing techniques, André Grolet came back to his family’s old farm to create, produce and develop his own range of craft beers.
He is the son of a farmer, and a trained butcher: today he is putting all his know-how and imagination into developing a brand of craft beers and also the brews which he produces for others.
