France: Axéréal and the Domaine national de Chambord inaugurate a new craft brewery

On April 1, 2025, the Brasserie de Chambord—a craft brewery focused on producing beers from locally grown, low-carbon barley and French hops—was officially inaugurated in the presence of local and national stakeholders, Inside Beer reported.

Located near the historic Château de Chambord, the new facility is the result of a partnership between the agricultural cooperative Axéréal and the Domaine national de Chambord.

The idea for the brewery originated with Axéréal, one of France’s largest agricultural cooperatives, which has long championed the barley-malt-beer value chain. With over 11,000 member farmers, Axéréal is committed to sustainable, regenerative, and lowcarbon agriculture. The group plays a key role not only in grain collection but also in malting, holding a majority stake in Boortmalt, the world’s second-largest malt producer with operations across five continents. The malt used in the Brasserie de Chambord is produced locally at Boortmalt’s site in Issoudun, Centre-Val de Loire—one of the most energy-efficient malthouses in Europe, equipped with a large solar thermal power plant and a unique water recycling system.

Through its dual role as grain supplier and malt processor, Axéréal ensures complete traceability and consistent quality in the brewery’s raw materials. The cooperative’s direct involvement in the establishment of the Brasserie de Chambord demonstrates its strategic ambition to promote value-added agricultural products and reinforce regional identity through food innovation.

"La Brasserie de Chambord is the logical continuation of our unwavering commitment to the grain-malt-beer sector," stated Jean-François Loiseau, president of Axéréal. He emphasized the symbolic value of associating the beers with Chambord and praised both Pierre Dubreuil, current managing director of the Domaine national de Chambord, and former director Jean d’Haussonville for their support and collaboration.

Since production began in December 2024, the beers under the La Chambord brand have already found their way onto prestigious dining tables and into the hands of craft beer lovers. Brewed using local barley and French hops, the range includes six year-round varieties, a cuvée prestige, and four limited “signature” editions each year.

The brewery has a production capacity of 12,000 hl and includes a 1,350 m² facility with a bar, boutique, and visitor center. Designed for efficiency and sustainability, the brewing
process uses a system with 96% thermal efficiency, energy and water recovery loops, and
a pilot system for recipe development. Visitors can observe the brewing process while enjoying beers at the bar, which is open since February 2025.

Cédric Allin, director of the brewery, and brewmaster Guillaume Bachellerie lead a dedicated team committed to artisanal methods and local sourcing. In addition to alcoholic and alcohol-free options, the beers are distributed via direct sales, e-commerce, retail, HoReCa channels, and international export.

The Brasserie de Chambord not only strengthens the local economy but also seeks to become an international ambassador for the Centre-Val de Loire region, combining tradition, sustainability, and innovation in every glass.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .