An de Ryck (also known as Ann de Ryck or Anne de Ryck) is a Belgian brewster and the first woman brewing engineer in Belgium in the modern age. She is the granddaughter of Gustaaf de Ryck, the founder of De Ryck Brewery [nl]. During her time as brewmaster at the firm, they have won best Belgian tripel at the 2008 and 2013 European Beer Star, and the bronze medal from the World Beer Cup, in both 2006 and 2008.

An de Ryck
Born
Occupationbrewer
Known forfirst woman brewing engineer in Belgium in the modern age

Early life

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An De Ryck was born and grew up in Herzele, in the Flemish Region of Belgium and from a young age wanted to become a brewster. Her father, Paul De Ryck's dissuasion only reinforced her desire and resolve.[1][2] As an only child, An grew up playing in the brewery and from age twelve began to do chores in the family business.[3] After completing her secondary education, she enrolled in a brewing engineering degree at KaHo Sint-Lieven University College [nl] in Ghent, where she studied brewing technology along with biochemistry, chemistry and microbiology.[4] When she graduated, she became the first woman brewing engineer in Belgium.[5][6]

Career

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Herzele - Brouwerij De Ryck, Herzele

After graduation, An De Ryck completed an internship in Bavaria, working at several other facilities, before returning and taking over the brewing at the family brewery in the 1970s.[2][7] She introduced six new flavors, and took the business from a local level to an international distributorship by adding a bottling facility.[8] In addition to working as a masterbrewer at the De Ryck Brewery, De Ryck belongs to a consortium of thirty breweries and two universities which are studying beer. A recent project evaluated how quickly beer stales, as well as flavor stability.[6][4]

An De Ryck's daughter, Miek Van Melkebeke and son, Bram Van Melkebeke now operate the commercial side of the brewery, while she continues as brewmaster.[6] She produced nine beers most in the traditional style, but a few, like Jules de Bananes, flavored with banana, are sweet and fruity.[1][9] In 2011, she added a tenth beer, creating a special beer, "Gouden Arend" (Golden Eagle) for the brewery's 125th birthday.[6][10] An De Ryck has won multiple awards for her beers, including best Belgian tripel at the 2008 European Beer Star and the bronze medal from the World Beer Cup, in both 2006 and 2008.[1] In 2013, her Arend Tripel won gold at the European Beer Star competition held in Munich, Germany.[11]

An De Ryck's husband, Omer Van Melkebeke is a pharmacist.[2]

References

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Citations

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Bibliography

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  • Fresquez, Diane (2013). A Taste of Molecules: In Search of the Secrets of Flavor. New York City, New York: Feminist Press at the City University of New York. ISBN 978-1-55861-840-4.
  • Goethals, Rita (19 September 2013). "Arend Tripel is goud waard". Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Antwerp, Belgium. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  • Hamilton, Sorcha (12 March 2016). "Raise a glass to Belgium's crafty brewsters". The Irish Times. Dublin, Ireland. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  • Hampson, Tim (2013). World Beer. London, England: DK Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-4654-2263-7.
  • Lewis, Judith (15 December 2015). "Master Brewsters in Flanders - Women Reclaim Ancient Position as Expert Brewers in Flanders". Huffington Post UK. London, England. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  • Tobey, Annie (23 September 2015). "First Drafts: Belgian family brewers blend tradition and innovation". The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond, Virginia. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  • "Brouwerij De Ryck". Lekker Oost-vlaams (in Dutch). Ghent, Belgium: Economic Council for East Flanders. 2011. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  • "Brouwerij De Ryck—Arend Tripel". Beer of the Month Club: What’s Brewing. Lake Forest, California. August 1993. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  • "Brouwerij De Ryck viert 125ste verjaardag met feestbier" [Brewery De Ryck celebrates 125th birthday celebration with beer]. Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Antwerp, Belgium. 10 September 2011. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  • "A woman's place is in the brewery". Flanders Today. Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.