The Alken-Maes brewery in Opwijk, Belgium, holds a rich history dating back to 1730. Originally established as Brouwerij De Smedt, it gained prominence for producing Affligem abbey beers and, from 1935, the amber-colored OP-ALE beer. OP-ALE notably won a gold medal at the 1951 International Fair in Luxembourg and achieved significant success during the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair.

In 2000, the brewery became part of the Alken-Maes group, a subsidiary of Heineken. However, by 2022, the Opwijk facility faced challenges in meeting increasing demand sustainably. It consumed approximately 40% more water and produced nearly 60% more CO₂ per liter of beer compared to the Alken brewery. Consequently, production of Affligem and Hapkin beers was relocated to Alken and France, leading to the closure of the Opwijk brewery in August 2022.

Post-closure, the site was sold to developer DIFF, which plans to transform it into a mixed-use area named “OP-ALE.” The redevelopment aims to honor the site’s brewing heritage by preserving the original brewery building and integrating features like a public park, commercial spaces, and community facilities. This transition marks the end of nearly three centuries of brewing tradition in Opwijk, reflecting broader shifts in the brewing industry towards sustainability and modernization.