As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, it’s the perfect moment to pause and reflect on our rich and colourful history. Over the decades, our company has carried several different names, each marking a new chapter in our journey. From our humble beginnings as a small village brewery to, eventually, becoming an internationally respected malthouse, every name reveals a part of our story. In the following, we trace the path of our evolution – from De Zwaan to The Swaen.
1906: Brewery De Zwaan
Our journey began in 1906 as brewery De Zwaan, nestled in the rural village of Kloosterzande in Zeeland, The Netherlands. At that time, like many traditional breweries, we also operated a small-scale malthouse to produce our own malt, which was not only essential for brewing beer but also helped establish the foundation for our future growth.
The graceful swans that visited the pond beside the brewery inspired us to name the company ‘De Zwaan’ (The Swan). According to local folklore, these birds were attracted by the plentiful spent grain, a tasty by-product of brewing. In this way, the swan – symbolising purity and elegance – perfectly reflected both the charm of our surroundings and the strong community spirit that shaped our early years.
1947: De Zeeuwse Handelsmouterij
World War II brought enormous challenges. In 1947, shortly after the war, our brewery ceased operations – the copper kettles essential for brewing had been lost, and modern equipment for producing Pilsner beer was out of reach.
Instead of rebuilding the brewery, we pivoted entirely to malting. This transformation came with a new name: De Zeeuwse Handelsmouterij, or the Zeeland Commercial Malthouse. The name reflected our roots while signalling a broader, commercial ambition: supplying high-quality malt to breweries far beyond our village.
1970s: Mouterij Menu
In the 1970s, the company finally adopted the name Mouterij Menu, honouring the family that had guided the business since 1923. By then, the Menu family had led the malthouse for fifty years – a leadership that would continue until 1999. Naming the company after the family emphasised their enduring influence and commitment.
During this era, the malthouse modernised operations, expanded production, and strengthened partnerships with brewers across the Netherlands and beyond. It was a period defined by continuity, quality, and generational stewardship.
1999: Mouterij Kloosterzande
A major turning point came in 1999, when Dutch brewery Grolsch acquired the malthouse. With this new chapter came a new name: Mouterij Kloosterzande, a tribute to our home village.
Under Grolsch, the malthouse joined a larger brewing group, gaining access to industrial resources and integration into an international brand. Though the name now highlighted location rather than lineage, our commitment to producing premium malt remained unwavering. This period saw ongoing investment and professionalisation of our malting processes.
2014: The Swaen
When Grolsch changed ownership in the early 2010s, the malthouse regained independence under the De Groen family. In 2014, it emerged as The Swaen, an internationalised version of De Zwaan. This name honours our origins while embracing a global outlook, reconnecting with the elegance and symbolism of the swan.
With this new identity, The Swaen immediately embraced a bold approach, combining state-of-the-art roasting, kilning, and caramelising technology with our deep-rooted craftsmanship. Since then, The Swaen has delivered a wide range of base and specialty malts to craft brewers and innovators worldwide, thereby cementing our reputation as a global leader in quality malt.
A name for every era
Over 120 years, our different names have evolved alongside our growth, each reflecting the spirit of its time. From De Zwaan to The Swaen, they tell a story of adaptation, resilience, and continuous progress – all while keeping our roots firmly in sight. Looking ahead, we carry these stories forward in every bag of malt we produce, and with them, we toast to the next 120 years!
