Kloosterzande


Kloosterzande is a town in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Hulst, and lies about 24 km southwest of Bergen op Zoom.
In 2001, the town of Kloosterzande had 2743 inhabitants and in 2010 almost 3280 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 0.93 km², and contained 1188 residences.
The statistical area "Kloosterzande", which also can include the peripheral parts of the village, as well as the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 3300.

The Swaen

The Swaen is a historic 110 year old malt house in Kloosterzande. The malt produced here is used mainly by breweries for beer, in distilleries for whisky and for certain foods. The malt house produces basic and special malt products that add natural textures, colours and flavours to breads, foods and beverages. "De Zwaan" was founded by Jos Buysrogge and Alois Adriaanse on 12 May 1906, originally as a malt house and brewery. 17 years later, the company was sold to Joos Menu, who further expanded the capacity. Between 1939 and 1947, the brewery's activities were impeded when during World War II the copper brew kettles were removed. The brewery closed after the war and malting became the core activity.
In the following decades, the facilities and infrastructure were upgraded and improved, including construction of new silos. In the 1960s the malt capacity was 15.000 MT per annum after the plant was further enhanced with the development of a new, more advanced steeping house. The business became a leading Dutch commercial maltster by the end of the decade. In 1972 a new malthouse and a peating installation were constructed, allowing further expansion of the export business.
In 1999, Royal Grolsch joined the management team. In 2013, the De Groen family acquired the malthouse in a joint venture with Malteurop, and the plant underwent a minor technology upgrade. The malt house is equipped with the Probat roasting technology, and is equipped with a ceramic bed and scrubber to decrease emission levels.