OUR STORY
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
Great-grandfather Driek Cuyvers, “Den Driek,” was a well-known lift operator in the Zonhoven mine. During the occupation, the illegal distillation of jenever was a welcome side income for the large Cuyvers family.
Grandfather Antoon was a coppersmith who supplied many stills in the region. Just before the liberation, he was fined by the German occupying forces for the illegal possession and use of a still. After the war, grandfather Antoon stopped distilling, and for father John Cuyvers, distilling remained just a childhood memory.
But distilling clearly runs in the genes: without any knowledge of this family history, Thomas Cuyvers took up the craft once again!
YEAST SPECIALIST
In 2011, Thomas began experimenting in his garage.
As a yeast specialist for bakers, it was a challenge to work with the same yeast in the fermentation of beer, wine, and spirits. After all, it’s the same grain that gives both delicious bread and flavourful spirits their character!
The first products were mainly liqueurs and elixirs, inspired by classic desserts like crêpes Suzette, frangipane, and honey cake.
After enthusiastic reactions from family, friends, and acquaintances, demand quickly grew. In 2012, everything was set in motion for official sales!
DISTILLATES FROM TAXANDRIA
Under the brand name “Distillates from Taxandria,” a nod to the Roman name for the Kempen region, local recognition quickly grew.
What started with elixirs soon expanded into the distillation of jenever and gin.
DISTILLING FOR THIRD PARTIES
When the gin hype broke out, requests started coming in from third parties asking for help in creating their own recipes.
This brought surprising challenges and bold flavour combinations — from pumpkin seeds and onion to turnip and sansho pepper. By continuing to experiment, Thomas expanded his expertise and knowledge as a distiller and became a master of his craft.
CONTRACT DISTILLING
Brewers from the Low Countries – Belgium and the Netherlands – are renowned worldwide for their quality beers and spirits. Their specific recipes result in beers with a unique character. In collaboration with them, these low-alcohol products were transformed into a spirit.
We guide our clients in choosing the right distillation curve. This defines the balance between fruity aromas from the “head” and the beginning of the “tail.” Most products are aged in oak barrels until the desired aroma has developed. This process takes place in our distillery or, if desired, at the client’s own site.
THE STERKSTOKERS BRAND
In the spring of 2016, “Distillates from Taxandria” became Sterkstokers Distilleries.
With Thomas Gin No. 21 and both Cameo Vermouths, new classics were born.
Thomas Gin No. 21 receives rave reviews from both professionals and enthusiasts for its bold yet pleasant flavour profile.
The Cameo vermouths, both of culinary quality, highlight the versatility of the company. At the end of 2017, Thomas returned to the base ingredients of Elixir Suzette and transformed them into the Antwerp Elixirke—a liqueur with a young, fresh character and a low alcohol content.
PRIVATE LABEL
Further growth was achieved through collaborations with the hospitality sector and businesses to develop their own private label spirits. The identity and value of the restaurant or company were translated into a unique product!
A specialist in manufacturing Private Label drinks, Sterkstokers moved to a modern industrial building in the Veilingstraat in Hoogstraten in the spring of 2017.
CRAFT & SPECIALIZATION
Curious as we are, we love to experiment. On the advice of international colleagues, we made our first cask of whisky in 2013—a cask that will never be bottled or sold. As a visitor, you might just have the privilege of tasting it in our distillery!
Sterkstokers is the specialist in creating artisanal, unique gin, jenever, elixir, vermouth, vodka, whisky, and premium alcohol-free drinks.
THE YEAR 2000
Just as we began investing in our new building, the global pandemic hit. We too were not spared from the economic impact. However, we quickly found a way to support the medical community by addressing the shortage of disinfecting alcohol.
Initially, we used our existing stock, but later we partnered with brewers who supplied their beers, from which we extracted the alcohol. They had greater fermentation capacity, while we could distill efficiently.
It was a challenging time, but there was a silver lining: we aged the distilled beer in barrels and discovered beer brandy—a spirit with a flavour profile somewhere between aged gin and whisky.
P.S.: We still have disinfecting alcohol in stock.
OUR NEW DISTILLERY
After years of working at our site in Hoogstraten, we took the leap in early 2020: we started building our new distillery. (The infamous Covid year!)
We moved in November 2020!
Next to the canal in Sint-Lenaarts, we now warmly welcome our visitors.
EXPORT
We look back with pride and forward with ambition!
Our craftsmanship, personality, and passion drive us to keep innovating and improving. We love challenging ourselves!
The first steps towards export have been taken. International clients book a weekend in Antwerp to develop their recipe here and then import their own bottles. In doing so, we combine our traditional craftsmanship with their specific local requirements.
Distilling Happiness
BOEREMELK LIQUEUR
That’s when everything perfectly came together. Inspired by Thomas’ background as a product developer in the bakery and pastry world, his experience in sales and marketing, and Karin’s deep connection to agriculture as a farmer’s daughter with a love for milk liqueur, we felt inspired to create something special. The result is a unique liqueur made from real milk. And it’s simply delicious: a true treat.
NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK – MIXERS – … 100% FLAVOUR
In 2019, we joined the search for a way to create the essence of gin without alcohol. However, replacing roughly 40% alcohol with water wasn’t the right approach. Our GINOO was an interesting attempt, but...
The real breakthrough came when we realised that people who choose alcohol-free aren’t looking for a substitute, but for a drink that offers an experience: celebrating life by sharing something special with themselves and others.
This insight led us to new techniques to capture flavours in a bottle. We discovered that the brain needs to be seduced to truly enjoy unique drinks.
Our Zero line represents delicious drinks that offer a special experience.
Local Happiness
