De Struise
De Struise Brouwers (DSB) is a small brewer currently located in Oostvleteren, Belgium. In its commercial life to date, it has garnered respect and admiration from the beer enthusiast community and won several awards. Owners of a nearby ostrich-raising farm in Lo-Reninge with accommodation for vacationers, Urbain Coutteau and Philippe Driessens developed an interest in making distinctive regional beers to serve to their guests. In 2001 they began doing so with help from local wine maker Carlo Grootaert, and this project eventually developed into its own independent commercial concern.
Upon its inception in 2003, Struise produced beers at the Caulier brewery in northern Hainaut. Since 2006, they have been made at the Deca brewing facility in Woesten-Vleteren in West Flanders. De Striuse now have their own microbrewery and tasting room in a renovated school building in Oostvleteren.
The company takes its name from the historic Flemish word for ostrich, which also is a contemporary slang term meaning "tough". They render the name into English as "The Sturdy Brewers", and many of their labels feature ostriches, a trait they share with Dutch microbrewery Brouwerij 't IJ.
Following current industry trends made popular by American craft brewers, DSB has recently ventured into stronger, more flavorful beers and also barrel-aging. While often drawing upon various traditional styles, they have won acclaim by creating unique products which reflect their own personal vision.