By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Aug 31, 2012 at 1:32 PM

Belgium's Knighthood of Brewers' Mashstaff/ Belgian Brewers' Guild has knighted Lowlands Group co-CEO Eric Wagner at their annual ceremony today.

Wagner was one of only a few international inductees to be awarded this honor in Brussels. He earned the distinction based on his ongoing efforts to expose consumers to Belgian bier through the Lowlands Group restaurants – Cafe Hollander-Downer, Cafe Hollander-Tosa, Cafe Centraal, Trocadero and Cafe Benelux.

He and co-CEO Michael Eitel visit Belgium annually to work on bringing more bier and information to the United States through their cafes and via the Lowlands Brewing Company, located in Ertvelde, Belgium.

The Knighthood of Brewers' Mashstaff/ Belgian Brewers' Guild dates back to the 13th century. It is dedicated to preserving and honoring the traditions and nobility of the brewer's trade and those who have rendered loyal services to the brewing profession.