Miek Van Melkebeke had other ideas for her future rather than taking over the family business — until she realized the impact of that decision. Her mother, Anne De Ryck, had kept the lineage intact, too: the only child, she insisted upon working at Brouwerij (Brewery) De Ryck, despite her father’s protests, becoming Belgium’s first female brewing engineer. The business is now operated by the women and De Ryck’s son, Bram Van Melkebeke. Varying tales of succession have repeated throughout the history of family-owned breweries. Of the 22 members of Belgian Family Brewers, all but one have passed the century mark, survived two world wars, and seen the national brewery count...
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