Words and photos by Ashley Joanna
Edited by Breandán Kearney
Humans of Belgian Beer is a series of photographic portraits which celebrate a people and their culture.
Bruno Bakeroot met Lars Vantournhout when the pair were in their mid 20s. They would drink beer together on Thursday nights at their favourite beach bar in Ostend. They were constantly planning adventures together; whether it was surfing in the North Sea, cycling all over Belgium, or sleeping in caravans on snowboarding trips to the French Alps. Their friendship was built on a mutual passion for sports, a need for adrenaline, and a love for the area in which they grew up in.
In 2013, Lars was diagnosed with cancer. Bruno, determined to help his good friend, ran social media campaigns seeking donations to help cover medical costs and to support Lars’s family. Bruno was inspired by Lars’ optimism, despite his illness. “He is the man who stands strong despite all of the challenges,” said Bruno of Lars. “Not the man who has cancer.”
After a few years of various events and campaigns, their good friend Ive Mostrey, who owns ‘t Koelschip Brewery in Ostend, approached the pair about brewing a beer dedicated to Lars. In 2019, after hours of trials and many tastings, Larsipulamie was born. The 10% Strong Amber Ale was named after one of Lars’ favourite Belgian cartoon animals, and the proceeds of its sale were set aside to support Lars’ wife and four year old son. Bruno sells Larsipulamie at the Beer & Food Caravan Truck where he donates his time on the weekends, a food truck located along the cycling route in Oudenburg.
At the beginning of 2020, Bruno suffered a climbing accident in which he fell 10 meters to the ground, leaving him with two broken feet and a broken spine. Completely bedridden for two months and unable to move, Bruno’s most frequent visitor in the hospital was Lars. The friends would reminisce about past adventures and speak about the meaning of life, love, and friendship. These conversations in the hospital helped Bruno stay positive in his recovery. Lars passed away in June 2020, and Bruno continues to work on projects to make sure his good friend is never forgotten.
“If you don’t want to get hurt, then stay on your sofa for 60 years and nothing will happen,” says Bruno. “But then, what life will you live? What will you experience? This was one of the lessons I learned from my near death accident and my friendship with Lars. The key to a happy life is to never let fear drive what you do.”
The key to a happy life is to never let fear drive what you do.
Bruno Bakeroot
