Louis XVIII

A king in exile. A beer worth talking about.

Louis XVIII was the 19th-century French monarch who fled to Ghent during Napoleon’s Hundred Days. In French, his name sounds like "Louis Dix-huit" — but in the Ghent dialect, "Louis die zwiet" means something very different: Louis who sweats. This is how the people of Ghent secretly mocked their royal guest, partly because of his corpulent build. De Wilde Brouwers honored that typical Ghent humor by naming a beer after him.

The recipe is honest and pure: barley malt from Pilsner and Cara, organic hops from Poperinge, yeast, and purified rainwater. Unfiltered and unpasteurized, with bottle conditioning — exactly how a craft Belgian blonde should be. The nose is malty with a subtle fruity aroma of ripe banana and peach. On the palate, it is soft and lightly sweet, with a hint of caramel and a pleasant malt character that never becomes too heavy.

This is a beer for those who enjoy accessible complexity: recognizably Belgian, but with just enough character to pause and appreciate. Ideal for a relaxed evening in good company — royal company not required.

Serve in a tulip or goblet-shaped glass and pair with mild cheese, charcuterie, or a classic Belgian waterzooi.