Netherlands - Breweries

Hertog Jan Brouwerij is a Dutch brewery located in Arcen, Limburg.
The Brewery was founded in 1915 under the name Vriendenkring Steam Brewery, however, during the Second World War, the brewery suffered greatly and in 1945 it had to be re-built. But due to the crisis and substandard beer sales, the brewery ran into financial problems.
In 1949 all shares were sold to Bierbrouwerij de Drie Hoefijzers in Breda. The brewery and the Vriendenkring bier brand continued to exist and in 1956 the old brewery was modernized and renovated.
In 1968 Brouwerij de Drie Hoefijzers was taken over by the English brewery group Allied Breweries Limited and in 1980 the brewery group decided to close the brewery in Arcen.
In 1981 Toon van de Reek together with two partners decided to run the Arcense brewery under the name Arcense Stoombierbrouwerij with financial support from wholesaler De Kikvorsch.
In October 1992, the Arcense Beer Brewery was incorporated by the United Beer Breweries Breda-Rotterdam/Allied Breweries Netherlands, whose name was changed to Oranjeboom Beer Brewery on April 5, 1993. In turn, this brewery was taken over in 1995 by the then Interbrew Nederland (now part of the AB InBev group), which also owned the Dommelsch brewery.
In 1998 the name of the brewery was changed from Arcense Stoombierbrouwerij to Hertog Jan Brouwerij.
Some of the Brewery's Range
Arcener Winter Bier -
Hertog Jan Arcener Bockbier - Introduced in 1981 is named after the 13th-century Duke John I of Brabant who, it is said, loved parties where the beer flowed freely. Later re-named Hertog Jan Bockbier
Hertog Jan Dubbel -

Over the years the brand identity is updated and re-launched with subtle changes, a change of Logo or a new font.
Sometimes this brand update is done by the new owners after a brewery has been sold, other times just to give the brand a fresh new look on the ever growing market.

Below are some notes to help identify some of these changes and an aid to reference the year of the glass.