The 20th century: the apogee between two wars

Jenever became the favourite beverage of the miners and the textile workmen, who were very numerous in the Nord-Pas de Calais region. It was used in coffee (la bistouille) or straight, and it was the indispensable 'tap on the shoulder' before descending into the mine.

About 1930, production reached its historic peak.

In 1935, the Claeyssens jenever was awarded at the International Exhibition in Brussels.

Due to the decline of the mining industry, and later if the textile industry, the consumers are less numerous and older. Most of the other distilleries in the Nord-Pas de Calais close their doors.

At the end of the 20th century, only three of them are left in the region, among which the one at Wambrechies. The Claeyssens distillery diversifies its production by creating high-class products and Old Malt, having aged in oak casks.