We first met Stefaan back in 2011 to discuss the possibility of importing Troubadour beer into Australia. The 'interview' consisted of something of a pub crawl through the city of Antwerp, as Stefaan introduced me to each of the wonderful beers they brewed, pouring freely from the taps of Antwerp's best beer bars.
Already a convert to the charms of the Troubadour beers, the evening allowed an insight into who these guys were, and why they did what they did. They are part of the new wave of Belgian brewing, not constrained to the traditional beer styles we know (and love) from Belgium.
The story began in 2000, with four friends graduating brewing university. With brewmaster jobs in the established family breweries being scarce, they decided to set up their own brewing company. After purchasing some brewing equipment, and some trial and error in the garage, they had their first beer ready for commercial production - a semi-strong blonde ale.
The next business decision was to come up with a name. The four friends - or 'Musketiers' decided on 'Troubadour'. In their own words...
Centuries ago, young men were travelling around singing and telling stories to entertain people and this way keeping traditions alive. They were called "Troubadours".
Brouwerij The Musketeers wants to keep the production and development of specialty beers alive; something which has a long and proud tradition in Belgium.
Its also the intention that the Troubadour beers explore step by step the world and - as the legendary Troubadours - bring pleasure and entertainment to people.
A clean, crisp and sessional IPA from the team at Troubadour
Dedicated to the hero of Antwerp, a dry-hopped spicy blond ale
Fruity aroma and hoppy, spicy flavour make this an extremely drinkable beer.
Four malts, roasted barley and two hops create a beautiful Imperial Stout - with a Belgian twist.
The body of a Belgian triple style beer, hopped like an American Imperial IPA - the best of two brewing cultures in one beer.
Another riff of the Troubadour Magma, this one is a more sessionable, last of the summer sun type of beer
The 2015 variant of their flagship Magma, with the addition of Brettanomyces yeast at all three fermentation phases
The 2016 variation of Troubadour's flagship beer Magma features Maris Otter premium malt
The 2017 variant of Magma sees a change in malt and hop quantities, resulting in a fruity, earthy and dry IPA
The 2019 variant of Troubadour's Magma is a beer that has been made more sessional, with the addition of El Dorado and Nelson Sauvin hops
The 2022 Magma variant is finished with a wine yeast
A rich, smooth and complex dark ale - a perfectly balanced mild stout with a Belgian body.
Amber ale with a spicy and malty character, crisp and light with a dry, slightly bitter finish.
A Belgian west coast Imperial Black IPA, made using 100% Belgian hops
A beautiful imperial black IPA that uses all-Belgian west coast hops
