In the seemingly ordinary world of beer glasses, a Duvel glass worth a staggering €6,500 has emerged as the prized possession of collectors worldwide, unveiling a clandestine realm known as the Duvel Glass Mafia.
Duvel Moortgat, the brewery behind the iconic Belgian beer Duvel, has released numerous glasses over the decades for various occasions, festivals, and exclusive events, creating a vast collecting potential. While the company acknowledges the unexpected consequences of this craze, the brewery remains reluctant to encourage an environment where its glasses are traded for thousands of euros.
Every year, the launch of the Duvel Designer glass becomes a spectacle, with enthusiasts queuing for the exclusive packages. The demand is so intense that packages designed by the likes of Belgian illustrator Hedof, whose signed glasses fetch high prices on the secondary market, sell out within minutes, creating a frenzy among collectors. Many of those who contribute their designs to Duvel are amazed at the fanaticism surrounding these seemingly ordinary utensils.
For savvy collectors, Duvel glasses can be lucrative investments. Collectors travel internationally, such as to Switzerland, for exclusive releases like the Amstein glasses, setting limits to prevent Belgians from monopolising the supply. The business of Duvel glass collecting extends beyond exclusive releases, involving questionable practices such as counterfeiting, factory insiders leaking information, and even theft.
At the pinnacle of this collecting obsession are the 'Finalists': a set of 12 glasses created as part of a 2011 competition. Dirk Vanhoeck, a prominent collector, emphasised their coveted status to Het Laatste Nieuws, explaining that prices can range from €2,000 to €6,500.
A selection of limited edition Duvel goblets. Credit: Duvel
The Duvel glass collecting hobby, once pursued for enjoyment, has evolved into a potentially dangerous realm, with Vanhoeck expressing his concerns about the escalating intensity and financial toll it takes on some enthusiasts.
While some collectors are driven by passion and nostalgia, others see it as an opportunity to fund major life events, such as buying a home. Even the designers, like Hedof, grapple with ethical dilemmas as the value of their creations skyrockets, balancing principles with financial realities.
As the Duvel glass craze continues to captivate collectors worldwide, it raises questions about the fine line between passion and obsession, with the potential for darker undertones in this seemingly innocuous hobby.
