Kevin Lhoest

Having always been passionate about beer, Kevin Lhoest decided early on to make it much more than just a hobby: a true field of expertise and knowledge-sharing.

 

His journey naturally began with a course in zythology, followed by an apprenticeship in brewing, driven by a deep desire to understand beer in all its complexity — from raw ingredients to the glass. This curiosity led him to join a major Belgian multinational brewery, where he first gained solid commercial experience before specialising fully in the world of brewing.

 

In 2016, he embarked on an in-depth course in zythology and quickly became an internal authority. For over three years, he served as head of zythology training, both internally and externally, passing on his passion to more than 1,500 people: hospitality professionals, sales staff, and knowledgeable, enthusiastic beer lovers.

 

Driven by a desire to give even greater meaning to this knowledge-sharing, Kevin decided to take things to the next level. After completing both levels of the Beer Professional Education & Training programme in London and obtaining the prestigious Cicerone® Certification, he founded Hoptimalt with a clear mission: to restore beer’s prestige and celebrate the immense richness of Belgium’s brewing heritage.

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In 2022, he brought this vision to fruition by launching the Hoptimalt Beer Academy, a training centre dedicated to every aspect of beer: tasting, service, culture, food and beer pairings, and professional expertise.​

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In 2023, the academy became one of the few official partner centres of the Cicerone® Certification Programme worldwide, thereby establishing Hoptimalt as a key reference in Belgium and internationally.

 

Recognised for his commitment to sharing and promoting brewing culture, Kevin Lhoest — along with the Hoptimalt Beer Academy — is also mentioned in UNESCO’s official report on intangible cultural heritage, for his contribution to promoting Belgian brewing knowledge and heritage.

 

Today, through his training courses, conferences, beer tours and immersive experiences, Kevin shares much more than just knowledge:

he conveys a modern, demanding and passionate vision of beer.