It is widely known that the love for beer and a strong brewing tradition connect Czechs and Belgians. Less known is the fact that since 2001 one of the most famous Belgian breweries, Duvel Moortgat, has been an important and successful investor to the Czech brewery Bernard from Humpolec. The great reputation of Czech beer and a mutually enriching partnership between the breweries Duvel Moortgat and Bernard was made evident during the visit of the Czech ambassador Jaroslav Kurfürst who on 22. 4. 2015 visited the Duvel Moortgat brewery in Puurs in the company of the Czech Honorary Consul General Paul Van denbempt and deputy ambassador Vladimir Němec. The delegation was warmly welcomed by CEO Michel Moortgat, fourth generation successor of the family brewery, and by COO Daniel Krug.

The guided tour in the brewery exposed the most modern technologies but also revealed the fact that an important part of Duvel´s hop import comes from the Czech region Žatec, which contributes to the specific character and quality of the beer.

The Duvel Moortgat brewery ranks among the most important investors from Belgium not only by the amount of investment, but also because it proves, that a mutually advantageous cooperation is possible in areas where both countries have their own strong tradition. The success of the investment lies in the combination of successful, realistic and creative visions and the responsible approach to the common project from both sides. The outcome is an excellent beer, as the one which was tasted at the end of the visit.