The Leffe Abbey was founded in 1152 on the Meuse River in the province of Namur in southern Belgium. The monastery's Premonstratensian rules began in 1240. After surviving a flood of the Meuse River in 1460 and then a major fire 6 years later, the brewery began to thrive in the 17th century. Leffe gained a reputation for the quality of its beer and the brewery expanded and was renovated. In 1796 the monastery was declared state property, although brewing continued in limited capacity until 1809. At some point during World War I, the original brewery kettles were melted down for ammunition. After World War II, Father Abbot Nys decided to revive beer production at the premises. With the professional help of the brewery Albert Lootvoet, Leffe brown ale was reintroduced in 1952.