For the first time in 200 years, Grimbergen Abbey will resume the production of various Belgian-style beers.
Carlsberg has built an innovative new brewery inside the famous Grimbergen Abbey, near Brussels, to continue the legacy of the abbey, which began brewing 900 years ago.
Grimbergen Abbey Brewery
Carlsberg teamed up with the Grimbergen Abbey to design the new production facility, which will see beer being brewed inside the walls of the abbey.
Beer-making had ceased at the location when the building was destroyed during the French Revolution.
Speaking from the launch of the Abbey Brewery, Cees ‘t Hart, CEO of Carlsberg Group, said, "It is a treat to be here at the beginning of Grimbergen’s next chapter and to experience what we believe will enrich the future of Belgian beer."
Father Karel Stautemas, Provisor at the Abbey, was instrumental in building the new facility and has joined the brewing team as Abbey Brewer.
Father Stautemas is currently undertaking brewing qualifications, which will allow him and his fellow fathers to continue the legacy of previous beer-making fathers before them.
Commenting on the opening, Father Stautemas said, "The new microbrewery is a place to reignite past traditions, just like our symbol the Phoenix we always have the strength to rise again, but to add fresh thinking too.
"We want to combine our experience, nearly nine centuries of it, with innovation in pursuit of the most delicious and unique new brews. I think that the microbrewery allows us to do that, to explore and experiment with styles and ingredients in a really exciting."
Brewery Experience Centre
To celebrate the reopening, Grimbergen has released three new brews – Grimbergen Magnum Opus Brut Beer, Grimbergen Ignis Quadruple, and Grimbergen Astrum Pale Ale.
Grimbergen Abbey Brewery also features an on-site bar and restaurant giving visitors the opportunity to taste the brews and pair them with dishes from the restaurant Fenikshof.
Later this year, Grimbergen will also open a Brewery Experience Centre that will give visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves into the heritage of Grimbergen.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Conor Farrelly. For more Drinks news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
