a beer with a history

Ypra is – after OMER. and Tripel LeFort – the third family beer by Brouwerij Omer Vander Ghinste. Its roots can be traced back to Ypres, were Ypra used to be the main brand of Brouwerij Vermeulen, founded in 1836. This brewery remained operational in the Diksmuidestraat until 1976, when Charles Vermeulen – father of Edouard Vermeulen, the creator of the fashion house NATAN – stopped brewing beer in favour of distribution of beers and sodas.  

TWo FAMILy brewing traditions

In 2021, two centuries-old family brewing traditions merged: Brouwerij Vermeulen became part of Brouwerij Omer Vander Ghinste – and this was by no means a coincidence. Omer Jean Vander Ghinste, the fourth Omer generation, is related to the Vermeulen family via his grandmother’s side of the family. Omer Jean joined forces with his cousin Edouard to revive Ypra and continue the family tradition.  

BREWERY VERMEULEN’s mill: a story of persistance  

Ypra is a ‘persistently tasty’ beer, a light-hearted reference to the many challenges faced by Brewery Vermeulen over the years. The story of the mill next to the castle of Elverdinge is a perfect example of the tenacity and persistence of the Vermeulen family...

Brewery Vermeulen owned the mill and used it for milling the barley for the beer. However, the adjacent castle was property of the Count d’Ennetières, whom in the 19th century was very eager to buy the grounds surrounding the castle. When his offer was kindly declined, he planted tens of poplars in his garden, with the aim to weaken the wind that turned the mill’s sails. As a response, brewer Vermeulen increased the height of the mill. After the poplars had grown tall, in 1909, the sails were removed from the mill, which from then on was powered mechanically. Again, the Vermeulen family outwitted the Count…

Or how an authentic story about an unstoppable mill and the tenacity of a family years later mean the launch of a soft and hoppy beer, named Ypra.

Did you know: Up to today, Vermeulen’s mill, with 29 meters, is the highest in the province of West-Flanders.  

"brewed by omer vander ghinste, designed by natan"

YPRA & NATAN: THE PERFECT BLEND

The relaunch of Ypra not only fused two family traditions of brewing, but also brought together two artisans pur sang. Omer Jean Vander Ghinste and his cousin Edouard Vermeulen, today the driving force behind fashion house NATAN, ensured the circle now has become complete. Together, they are a great match: Vander Ghinste with 130 years of brewing expertise, NATAN playing a crucial role in Ypra’s design.