Brewery Van Eecke (1624) and Brewery Het Sas (1572) are two of the oldest still active breweries in the Westhoek. Together they combine more than 4 centuries of craftsmanship, tradition and passion for beer. The story of Brewery Van Eecke is set in Watou, as the castle brewery of the Earl of Watou. In 1981 Karel Leroy developed the famous Poperings Hommelbier on the occasion of the triennial hop festival.