A feisty mule kicks up its heels on the Brasserie de la Mule’s can. That’s how Joel Galy’s brewery announces itself. This isn’t just any Brussels brewery. Brasserie de la Mule occupies a 19th-century building. It was once a stable for the city’s first trams. That’s how it got its name.
The Brasserie de la Mule is special. It’s known for its German-style beers. In Belgium’s world of Lambics and Trappist ales this is unusual. Joel Galy the founder is passionate about lagers. He uses traditional decoction mashing. This is a technique rarely seen in Belgium. He also uses organic ingredients. His lagering times are exceptionally long eight weeks at a chilly 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
Galy’s approach is unique. He doesn’t just brew for the sake of brewing. He brews for the communal experience. His beers are meant to be shared. They are easy-drinking social beers. Not beers you analyze. Beers you enjoy with friends.
His beers are simple but effective. They showcase the raw materials. They’re not overly complicated. Think rich caramel notes in his helles. A long-lingering dryness with a bittersweet finish. It’s profoundly drinkable. He also brews a Berliner weisse a dunkelweisse and a hopfenweisse. The hopfenweisse is a marvel. It blends the classic clove and banana notes of a weisse with a soft hop character. It’s surprisingly drinkable despite being 8.2% ABV. He even experimented with blending Lambics from Cantillon into his hopfenweisse.
The Brasserie de la Mule’s taproom is a hub. It’s a neighborhood bar with live music. It often features heavy metal or rap. The atmosphere is casual. It’s full of laughter conversation and the clinking of glasses. The bar is Galy’s pride and joy. He loves seeing people happy. He brews beer to be drunk in social moments. Whether they are happy or sad.
Galy’s brewery story is remarkable. He started homebrewing as a teenager. He worked at Brasserie de la Senne before starting his own. Even Jean Van Roy of Cantillon bought shares in the brewery. They believe in Galy’s vision. They believe in good German-style beers. Galy’s ambition is modest. He focuses on local consumption. He’s happy staying put in his former stable. The Brasserie de la Mule is more than a brewery. It’s a testament to a man’s vision a place to gather and celebrate life. It’s a unique addition to Brussels’ vibrant beer scene.