Gin · Region · Short entry
Hasselt
Hasselt in Belgian Limburg has its own genever geographical indication, Hasseltse jenever. Outside the Spanish Netherlands until 1795, it kept distilling after the 1601 ban.
Character
Genever traditionally more heavily flavoured with spices, berries and seeds than elsewhere in Belgium (per the Jenevermuseum).
Why Hasselt
The Jenevermuseum explains that Hasselt belonged to the prince-bishopric of Liège, not to the Southern Netherlands, until 1795, so the archdukes' 1601 ban on grain distilling did not apply there. Production "only really took off" during a Dutch garrison of 1675–1681, and the museum suggests that Dutch influence explains why Hasselt genever was more heavily spiced than other Belgian genevers. The EU geographical indication covers Hasselt, Zonhoven and Diepenbeek.
How it connects
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- CountryBelgium46 entries in the atlas so far
- RegionBelgiumBelgium
- StyleGeneverProtected name
RecipeBelgian fritesBelgium
RecipeBoulets à la liégeoiseLiège, Belgium
RecipePoulet à la bièreBelgium
RecipeStoofvleesBelgium- StoryA history of beer
- MakerJenevermuseum Hasseltopened 16 September 1987
IngredientBarleyHordeum vulgare