The Untold Tale of Tale Brewery
Get ready to discover the Story Behind Tale! At Tale Brewery, we have a story that's as rich and diverse as the flavours in our craft beers. It's a tale of two close friends, Koen De Grave and Kristof Henot, whose passion for brewing and a deep connection to Ghana gave birth to a dream that became our reality.
Our Founders
A Belgian Duo with a Love for Ghana
Koen De Grave and Kristof Henot, both hailing from Belgium, share not only a deep friendship but also an enduring love for the art of brewing. Their journey in Ghana began years ago, with Kristof making Ghana his home in 1999 and Koen joining him in 2002. It was here that their story truly began.
A Childhood Dream Takes Root
Koen harboured a childhood dream of owning a brewery and crafting exceptional beers. About 12 years ago, he took a significant step toward that dream by purchasing the piece of land where Tale Brewery now stands. However, economic circumstances in Ghana at the time led to the idea being put on hold temporarily.
Bridging the Gap
The Birth of Primium's
Around the same time, Kristof and his Ghanaian wife, Prisca, noticed a growing demand for quality Belgian beers in Ghana. Fueled by their passion for great beer and the absence of variety in the market, they started importing Belgian beer for personal consumption. Soon, pub owners were eager to introduce these "new style Belgian beers" to their patrons.
The demand continued to rise, and in 2012, Kristof and Prisca founded Primium's, their importing company. This venture paved the way for the supply of Belgian beers such as Stella Artois and Hoegaarden to Ghana, initially working in partnership with AB InBev, who was supplying beer in the region.
A Serendipitous Reunion
Fast forward to September 2019, when Kristof had just completed a freelance job and reconnected with Koen. Koen suggested that it might be the perfect time to revisit the brewery business plan. Both founders were unwavering in their commitment to bringing special beers to Ghana.
Kristof embarked on a journey that included attending trade fairs, establishing vital contacts in Europe, and completing a brewing course in Ghent, Belgium. This marked the revival of the dream.
Brewing a Dream
Tale Brewery is Born
In early January 2020, after months of careful planning and preparation, Koen gave his approval for Kristof to lead the charge and bring the brewery to life. The journey continued, and even amidst the challenges of 2020, our team worked tirelessly on perfecting recipes in Belgium, collaborating with agencies, and developing our brand.
Why Ghana?
A Deeper Connection
But Why Ghana? The answer lies in the hearts of our founders. Both Koen and Kristof have deep roots in Ghana, which they consider their second home. Kristof's wife, Prisca, is Ghanaian, and through work and marriage, the ties between the two countries have only grown stronger. The beers we create at Tale are a fusion of Ghana and Belgium, just as Koen and Kristof's lives are.
Our Vision
Crafting the Future of Ghanaian Beer
Our vision for Tale Brewery is clear—to become the leading craft beer in Ghana and Africa by extension. We're not just importing Belgian beer; we're creating unique African beer styles that set us apart in the market. We aim to be synonymous with the exceptional recipes we've developed.
We've come a long way—from bringing Belgian beer to Ghana to now taking Ghanaian beer to Belgium. Our story is one of passion, dedication, and a deep love for both Ghana and Belgium. Join us on this exciting journey, and let's savour the tales our beers have yet to tell.
