EP034 | Janos De Baets of DOK Brewing Company, Ghent

This editorially independent podcast has been supported by VISITFLANDERS as part of the “Common Place” series of stories. Read more. De Baets is the Head Brewer and Co-Owner of DOK Brewing Co. in Ghent. His brewing experience includes six years at De Proefbrouwerij in Lochristi as well as several years with Hedonis Ambachtsbier. Janos is self-admittedly an obsessive personality. He throws his whole self into everything he does in brewing, and this intensity spills over into other parts of his life.  For example: He recently started running and is currently training for the Marathon des Sables next March, a six-day ultramarathon which covers the distance of six regular marathons, regarded as the toughest foot race on earth. Janos poured a few beers for me from the taps at the DOK brewpub and we talked about his childhood, his experiences at De Proef, the beer scene in Ghent, and what role tradition plays in Belgian beer today.  He’s become a real leader not just among the beer community in Ghent, but for a whole new wave of small but quickly maturing independent Belgian breweries and it’s easy to see why from this chat: He’s intelligent and thoughtful and honest. Sit back, listen, and enjoy Janos De Baets of DOK Brewing Company in Ghent. *