Brouwerij Slaapmutske
Dany De Smet: 50-year-old brewery engineer and beer lover from Gijzenzele (born in Wetteren) now living in Melle. Graduated in 1992 from the University of Applied Sciences in Ghent. Worked for several years at the Huyghe brewery in Melle as a quality manager and has since worked as a hygiene specialist in the brewery sector. Since 1995 also affiliated with the Ghent University of Applied Sciences (Education for Social Promotion) for teaching students and amateur brewers (brewery technology, brewery quality control). Home/amateur brewer since 1992. Also helped found the local beer enthusiasts association BLES from Zottegem.
Marleen Vercaigne: 50-year-old beer lover from Ronse, now living in Melle. Picked up the ‘beer bug’ from her husband and has been helping with home brews since 1992.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
