Brewing Returns to Grimbergen Abbey for the First Time in 200 Years

Grimbergen Abbey in Grimbergen, Belgium announced today that it will begin brewing beers for the first time in 200 years. Full details on this momentous decision are below.

Grimbergen, Belgium, 27^th May 2021: Today, Grimbergen, known for its delicious and refreshing Belgian-style beers, opens the doors to the future of Belgian beer as it unveils its innovative new brewery inside the famous Grimbergen Abbey near Brussels, Belgium.

The state-of-the-art Grimbergen Abbey Brewery will bring brewing back to where it all started when the abbey was founded nearly 900 years ago. It’s also the first time in 200 years that beers have been brewed inside the walls of the abbey, with beer-making ceasing after the building was destroyed during the French Revolution.

The Abbey Brewery will serve as an innovation hub, combining brewing traditions drawn from the ancient books of the abbey’s library with new and innovative techniques to craft unique limited-edition batches of exceptional premium beers.

To celebrate, Grimbergen has released three exciting new brews – Grimbergen Magnum Opus Brut Beer, Grimbergen Ignis Quadruple and Grimbergen Astrum Pale Ale.

Speaking from the launch of the Abbey Brewery Cees ‘t Hart, CEO of Carlsberg Group, who are the global licensees of Grimbergen, 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.

“Grimbergen is at the very heart of our growing portfolio of craft and speciality beer and it is contributing to the strong double-digit growth we’re seeing in the category. The new Abbey Brewery is an important step for us in continuing to develop our speciality brews to meet growing worldwide demand. We believe this beautiful Abbey Brewery will take us, and beer drinkers around the world, on an incredible journey of flavour discovery.”       

The Abbey Brewery was built in a close partnership between the Grimbergen Abbey and Carlsberg Group. Father Karel Stautemas, Provisor at the Abbey, was instrumental in building the new facility and has joined the brewing team as Abbey Brewer. When Covid allows, he will complete his brewing qualifications, allowing him and his fellow fathers to continue the legacy of generations of Fathers before him. 

Father Karel said: “The new microbrewery is a place to reignite past traditions, just like our symbol the Pheonix 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 way.”

Father Karel combines his day-to-day monastic life with the running of the Abbey Brewery, supporting Master Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon, who has also been heavily involved in bringing the new brewery to life. 

“We are setting a marker for Belgian beers worldwide. The new brewery allows us to craft batches of delicious beers inspired by new and old brewing techniques to create brand-new sensory experiences. These new brews will provide fans of Grimbergen and others with the chance to journey through amazing new tastes and flavours that could only be conceived in the unique surrounds of Grimbergen Abbey.”

Grimbergen Abbey Brewery also features an on-site bar and restaurant giving visitors the opportunity to savour the rich 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 rich heritage of Grimbergen and the magic behind its innovation.

For more information about Grimbergen Abbey Brewery and Grimbergen beers, visit grimbergen.com.

Latest brews from Grimbergen Abbey Brewery

The first three brews to be produced at the Grimbergen Abbey Brewery are:

Grimbergen Magnum Opus Brut Beer: 

A special moment such as the opening of a new microbrewery requires the most special of brews. And in Magnum Opus, we’re celebrating with our finest work yet, our masterpiece. Delicate notes of succulent pear, zesty orange and sweet vanilla notes are complemented by a gentle, sometimes sweet, malt quality. Magnum Opus uses burgeoning golden malts to present an elegant beer, with Nelson Sauvin hops bringing real sparkle to the brew, one that is just perfect for any celebration. 

Grimbergen Ignis Quadruple: 

Ignis Quadruple is inspired by the Fathers’ spirit to rebuild when fire wreaked havoc on all that they treasured. Like the Abbey, it is a symbol of our light still burning brightly after all these years. Beech-smoked malts give Ignis Quadruple a delicious, fiery quality. Its smoky notes combine with the spicy characteristics of Grimbergen beers to create a strong, warming brew.

Grimbergen Astrum Pale Ale: 

Inspired by those Fathers at Grimbergen Abbey’s famous observatory, our brewers have been on a voyage of discovery of their own, searching the world for the very best hops to help our brews shine bright. In Astrum Pale Ale, we’ve used gorgeous Galaxy hops, imported from Tasmania, Australia, to provide a beguiling citrus aroma. And we’ve brought them together with the finest hops from Flanders to create a perfectly balanced brew.