Bierbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Bierbeek municipality, together with the Flemish Brabant Heritage Foundation, acquired the ancient Ruisbroekmolen in Bierbeek. The Ruisbroekmolen serves as home to Bierbeek Village Brewery and occasionally hosts a café for visitors.
Bierbeek municipality, together with Erf, acquired Ruisbroekmolen, which is a centuries-old watermill located in Bierbeek. The site will receive increased accessibility by the public after the buying process is completed. The acquisition strategy enables the site’s preservation and creates space for public gatherings at the vibrant meeting place.
Local funding from Bierbeek Municipality provided €159,000 to pay for one-third of the purchase amount, and Erf, together with the Flemish Brabant Heritage Foundation, invested the balance of shares.
“This way, we are giving the Ruisbroekmolen a future. We want to make it even more of a meeting place.”
“The Molendaalbeek, also known as the ‘beer stream’, runs here. We want to preserve this heritage site. For the exploitation, we work with 2 existing associations that are already active in the Ruisbroekmolen. The Dorpsbrouwerij has its brewing installation here and holds various activities. The vzw Ruisbroekmolen maintains the building and the watermill. We now want to attract more people here and make it a vibrant meeting place,”
Says Vanhulst.
Filip Sergant bought the Ruisbroekmolen 13 years ago.
“We have completely restored the building of the Ruisbroekmolen. I am glad that it will not end up in the hands of a catering business. Now that Erf and the municipality have bought it, it will be preserved and the old water wheel can be restored.”
“When I bought the Ruisbroekmolen, the municipality said: ‘we have finally found a madman who wants to maintain and restore the building.‘ And look, now they are buying it themselves. We have completely restored the house. Now it is up to Erf and the municipality to restore the watermill themselves. I am sure that they will do that.”
What is the historical and cultural significance of Ruisbroekmolen?
The Ruisbroekmolen, a centuries-old watermill in Bierbeek, Flanders, holds significant historical and cultural value. Located along the Molendaalbeek, often called the “beer stream,” the mill has long been associated with local brewing traditions.
The mill received ownership from Filip Sergant exactly 13 years ago before undergoing extensive conservation work that protected its architectural legacy. The Dorpsbrouwerij (village brewery), together with its adjacent café, now occupy this location while providing space for local community events. The preservation of Ruisbroekmolen becomes essential because Watermills remain scarce throughout Flanders and only operate in small numbers.
The municipality of Bierbeek, together with Erf and the Flemish Brabant Heritage Foundation, purchased Ruisbroekmolen to safeguard its future existence. The partnership demonstrates an ongoing initiative to safeguard local heritage because Flanders currently protects more than 1000 historical sites and monuments.
