To mark its 100th anniversary, Libramont Cooperalia, the organizer of the Libramont Fair, is making a strong gesture in support of Belgian agricultural sectors. This year, the breweries present at the Ardenne Joyeuse share a clear commitment: to offer a beer brewed with barley of Belgian origin, with the aim of supporting Belgian agriculture.
Restoring value to Belgian grains
Belgium is world-renowned for its brewing heritage. Yet, the majority of the grains produced in our countryside is currently used for animal feed or energy production. Valuing local grains within Belgian food sectors, such as beer, means restoring value to agriculture and creating remunerative market opportunities for Belgian farmers.
This approach is not new. For several years, Belgian farmers have been cultivating high-quality malting barley intended for Belgian brewers. Several local sourcing initiatives already exist in the Walloon region: the ‘Pure Local’ sector and the ‘Prix Juste Bio’ sector coordinated by the CultivAé cooperative, the ‘Prix Juste conventionnelle’ sector created by the Collège des Producteurs, and the direct sectors between certain breweries and farmers (such as Brasserie des Légendes…). These sectors were built thanks to close collaboration between the various stakeholders in the chain.
Beyond the finished product, this approach recreates a strong link between the farmer, the malter, the brewer, and the consumer: What a satisfaction for the farmer to enjoy a beer containing the barley he grew himself! What a satisfaction for the brewer to create a high-quality artisanal product made from local grains!
Local barley… that takes care of agricultural soils
Behind this approach to promoting Belgian barley lies also a desire to evolve agricultural practices. Certain breweries involved in CultivAé’s ‘Pure Local’ sector also support agriculture that takes care of our agricultural soils.
Through regenerative agriculture practices, farmers adapt their technical methods to preserve soil fertility: cover crops, organic fertilizers, reduced tillage, biodiversity development… These practices make it possible to produce quality barley while strengthening the resilience of farms in the face of climate challenges. They also create more value for farmers, who are paid for their practices and for carbon storage in the soil.
A dynamic built to last
In this context, the Fair’s historical partner, Brasserie Nationale (Battin), will also brew a special batch for Libramont’s 100th anniversary using Belgian barley.
This first edition marks the beginning of a new dynamic. The ambition is to make this approach sustainable over time and to turn Libramont into an event where every consumption is an act of direct support for Belgian farmers.
From now on, you will know that by enjoying a Belgian beer in Libramont, you are proudly supporting our Belgian farmers!
