With more than a century of history, there are many stories to be told. Here you can find a quick overview of our past, and below there are some stories to discover more about The Swaen and the people behind it.
1906
1906
‘De Zwaan’ is born. Jos Buysrogge and Alois Adriaansens found their malting and brewery business, despite the devastating floods.
1923
1923
The original malting and brewery business is sold to Joos Menu, who renames the Manor house to ‘Mouternest’.
1947
1947
During wartime the copper brewing installations are removed for the weapons industry. That is why, after the war, the brewery is closed. Malting now becomes the family’s core activity.
1950s
1950s
The malting business grows and production increases to supply the growing local demand and export business.
1955
1955
The facilities and infrastructure continue to be upgraded and improved, including construction of a new silos.
1960s
1960s
The malt capacity increases to 15.000 MT per annum, and the business becomes a leading Dutch commercial Maltster.
1965-1970
1965-1970
Our malting capability is even further enhanced with the development of a new, more advanced Steeping House.
1972
1972
A new Malthouse is constructed, allowing further expansion of the export business. A peating installation is installed to tend to our distilling customers.
1999
1999
The famous Dutch brewery Royal Grolsch joins the management team, enhancing industry expertise and driving new commercial developments.
2013
2013
Malt Master Jos teams up with the de Groen family when they acquire the Malthouse in joint venture, uniting world-leading tradition and expertise.
2014
2014
Like a phoenix the company once known as De Zwaan, Mouterij Menu and Mouterij Kloosterzande is reborn as The Swaen. Our world-class malting business has a new identity, reflecting its renewed vision for the future.
2015
2015
Unique and modern malting technology is installed: a new germination system, bagging line and a state-of-the-art Probat drum roaster. This ensures our goal to keep growing in the craft beer sector.
2019
2019
With Max (CEO), Sheila (Finance Manager), Oliver (Plant Manager) and Dietrich (Project Manager) a new management team takes over.
2022
2022
Our new kiln is not just a chance to grow our capacity, but also a step towards a more sustainable future.
2024
2024
Wiebke de Groen becomes our new CEO. With over a decade of entrepreneurial experience as a distributor of The Swaen in China, she brings invaluable insights to her new role.
Brewery De Zwaan
It’s time for a real throwback. Our company started in 1906. Today we are known for our varied range of specialty malts. But back then, De Zwaan started as a brewery.
After receiving many questions about adding hops, yeast, bottles and other brewing needs to a malt order, we decided to start our very own B2B platform, named Birdys.
Our specialty malts rely on a cutting-edge drum roaster. Tailor-made for The Swaen, this colossal machine with a capacity of 4 metric ton is the largest in the industry.
