On May 17th, 1892, Remi Vander Ghinste buys a house in 1892 with accompanying buildings in Bellegem for his 23-year-old son Omer Vander Ghinste.

That same year, the first barrels of "Ouden Tripel", the current "Vanderghinste Roodbruin", are produced. He distributes his beer with horse and carriage in a radius of 15 kilometers in and around Bellegem.

Since brand names did not yet exist then Omer gave his own name to the beer: "Beers Omer Vander Ghinste".

Omer promoted his beers by placing stained glass windows with the words “Bieren Omer Vander Ghinste” in the front windows of the pubs. 

Omer Vander Ghinste, founder of Brewery Omer
Vander Ghinste, was introduced to Marguerite Vandamme in Kortrijk in 1898. Marguerite was the granddaughter of Felix Verscheure, owner of Brasserie LeFort, a thriving town brewery located at ‘t Plein (a town square) in Kortrijk.

This brewery got its name from ‘t Fort (fortress) of Kortrijk that stood on this site between the years 1600-1800. Felix Verscheure started the brewery in 1854 and ran it for over 50 years.

Omer & Marguerite were married in the year 1900. When a year later their first son is born, they give him the name Omer. (Omer 2)

That way, the expensive stained glass windows did not have to be replaced when the next generation takes over the brewery. This is the start of a family tradition!

When Felix Verscheure died in 1911, he had outlived both his children and his children-in-law. Marguerite Vandamme inherited the brewery and a lot of pubs and cafés in Kortrijk. The brewing was discontinued and that activity transferred to Bellegem.

Through his marriage with the young heiress, Omer Vander Ghinste assured himself not only of a long-lasting love in his life, but that his village brewery would prosper.

During the first world war Omer Vander Ghinste fled to Paris. He stays in the Rue Des Jacobins, where the famous Dominican monastery 'Hospice Saint-Jacques' is located. There he finds his inspiration for the beer 'Cuvée Des Jacobins', a 100% foederbeer.

Influenced by the new "Pilsener Type" from Czechoslovakia, the brewery develops its own type of pils under the name "Ghinst Pils" (1934: Bockor). That’s why, in 1929 the construction of a low fermentation tower was necessary.

The year after its construction the tower was already operating and now still dominates the rolling countryside of Bellegem. From the highway that connects Kortrijk to Tournai, one can clearly see the tower rising next to the church of Bellegem.

In 1933, Omer 3 is born. At the beginning of the golden sixties he will take over the leadership of the brewery from his father.

In 1947, shortly after the Second World War, a new brewing room was set up with copper brewing kettles. This was necessary in order to meet the increasing demand for Bockor Pils.

Omer Jean Vander Ghinste was born in 1964 and started working in the brewery in the early 90s, which he led with his father.

Thanks to the great success of Bockor Pils, in 1977 Omer decided to change the name of the brewery to Bockor Brewery.

Omer Géry Vander Ghinste is born in 1993. The family tradition is still being continued, the fifth generation is ready!

In the early 2000s, the fruit beers are on the rise. To meet this increasing demand, the brewery launches the Kriek Max, a cherry beer with no less than 25% natural cherry juices!

In 2004, 2 years after the launch, Kriek Max wins the gold medal at the European Beer Star (Germany) competition.

In 2011, Kriek Max was also awarded World's Best Kriek at the World Beer Awards (UK).

At the end of 2008, the brewery introduced a new beer of top fermentation: OMER. Traditional Blond. This beer is the result of 120 years of brewing tradition.

Both the name and the image of the beer refer to the origin of the brewery and the stained glass windows where it all started.

OMER. Traditional Blond was soon awarded with some gold medals:

• 2009: Gold at the European Beer Star Awards (Germany)
• 2010: Gold at the World Beer Cup (USA)
• 2015: Gold at the World Beer Awards (UK)

5 years after OMER. was launched, the brewery presents 'LeFort'. It is a dark, complex degustation beer of 9% alc.vol. It's a topfermented beer with refermentation in the bottle and is a tribute to Felix Verscheure, founder of Brasserie LeFort.

On the European Beer Star (2014 - Germany), LeFort wins a silver medal in the category Belgian Style Strong Ale & a bronze medal at the World Beer Awards (2018 - UK).

In order to highlight the rich family history of the brewery, Bockor Brewery is renamed Brewery Omer Vander Ghinste in 2014. This is the name that the brewery originally had and now carries on for 120 years and 5 generations further.

3 years after the launch of LeFort, the brewery adds a second beer to the Brasserie LeFort range: Tripel LeFort. In the same year, Tripel LeFort immediately won a gold medal at the European Beer Star Awards (Germany) as the best 'Belgian Style Tripel'.

In 2016, the construction of a new brewhouse also starts.

In 2018, 2 years after the launch, Tripel LeFort wins 2 gold medals!

During the World Beer Cup 2018 in Nashville, USA, Tripel LeFort was voted the best tripel worldwide. A few weeks later, Tripel LeFort also wins the gold medal at the World Beer Awards 2018! (UK)