Gourmet products local specialties and wines Erquelinnes

Angélus (Blonde, Brune, Spéciale Noël), La Sambresse This brewery was set up ten years ago by Alain Brootcoorens at Erquelinnes, a small town close to the French border in the Walloon province of Hainaut. Run by Alain and a team of volunteers from the local area, the brewery produces about 150 hectolitres of beer per year. Its main beers are Angélus Blonde and Angélus Brune,with more limited quantities of Angélus Spéciale Noël (a Christmas beer) and Sambresse Blonde also being produced. In addition, the brewery produces a number of specially commissioned beers for other organisations and individuals.The brewery grows its own hops in a hopfield across the road. (According to Alain Brootcoorens, this is the only "educational hopfield in Wallonia".) It also organises the Sambre Valley hop festival every September. This includes a contest to find the best hop-picker.Meanwhile, an association called the "Jurande d'Angélus" has been set up by the brewery to promote the region through local products, tourism and, of course, the local beer. The association's logo depicts a boat hook and a brewer's mashing rake.