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DISCLAIMER: The currency conversion is provided for illustration purposes only It is meant only as an approximation based on the latest information available and should not be relied upon for any other purposes We are not responsible for any loss that you may incur as a result of relying on these currency conversions All property prices are as stated by the listing agent Carlsberg has opened an “immersive” visitor’s experience for its Belgian beer brand Grimbergen in the grounds of the abbey where it is made The opening of the “Grimbergen Experience” sees Grimbergen’s 900-year history brought to life in a “newly expanded multi-sensory experience” that “charts the story of the Grimbergen Abbey Fathers’ who The Grimbergen Experience marks the culmination of a six-year journey and multi-million-euro investment by Carlsberg that has also included the refurbishment of the site’s Fenikshof bar and restaurant Speaking as he officially opened the new extension Carlsberg Group CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen said: “Grimbergen is at the very heart of Carlsberg’s premium brands portfolio and is contributing significantly to the continued growth we are seeing in this category.” The launch coincides with the release of “1128 by Grimbergen” a new visual identity for the Abbey Brewery’s range that celebrates the year the Abbey was created and forms part of Carlsberg’s wider strategy to accelerate growth of its premium porfolio of which Grimbergen is a core part Carlsberg has said that the new premium identity introduces both the “Authentic Norbertine Product” logo and the signature of Fr symbolising Grimbergen Abbey beer’s authenticity Grimbergen will now be presented in a new 75cl bottle that is being positioned as ideal for sharing with friends or to accompany a meal Aarup-Andersen explained: “Both the newly extended visitor experience and new brand identity mark an important milestone in the profound evolution of Grimbergen They are a testament to Carlsberg’s brand-building investments over the last six years and to the long-term ambition to invest further and to continue to grow this special premium brand.” Visitors to the Grimbergen Experience can book a guide who will share a wealth of information about Grimbergen’s history and of course visitors will have the opportunity to end their visit with a beer tasting provisor of the Abbey and abbey brewer added: “This new extension enables us to share fascinating insights into the fathers our life at the Abbey and of course our brewing heritage It’s a story I am delighted to have helped to curate and I look forward to sharing the new extension with many visitors.” The latest developments at Grimbergen come two years after Carlsberg refurbished Fenikshof and opened the first phase of the Grimbergen Experience and three years after the opening of the state-of-the-art abbey brewery which restored brewing inside the walls of the abbey for the first time in over two hundred years We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Dana is a reporter and Travel Tomorrow’s Associate Editor She graduated in Political Science and International Relations She moved to Brussels from Romania for her studies and Mont des Arts made her fall in love with the city and remain here A beer bath is not a bath in beer, but it does come with a cold, local Grimbergen. This is the new treatment offered by Thermae Grimbergen Evoking the beer that originated at the Norbertine abbey which Saint Norbert of Xanten founded in Grimbergen in 1128 the private room the treatment takes place in is beautifully and meticulously decorated The stained glass in the windows portrays the phoenix bird which has always been the symbol of the Grimbergen label a wall paining brings homage to the monks that started brewing the beer in the abbey hundreds of years ago The setting is just right to transport you to the hallways of the medieval abbey when monks first started preparing the brew The room smells nothing like an abbey’s dark stoned corridors or sour fermentations of hops It smells more like a summer garden in the brisk haze of the morning You walk in and a bathtub filled with sweet scented foam awaits only the basic ingredients used in its making “Malt is a powerful antioxidant that slows skin ageing and leaves your skin feeling silky-soft while hops have healing properties that deeply hydrate skin reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen production” that can be quite strong and not to everyone’s liking which are custom made by Thermae’s own beauty products line these extracts are known to enhance well-being Infused with the same beer ingredients and sweet yet refreshing scents of the bath foam taking off any trace of dead skin or product built-up it’s time to just sit back and enjoy the warm water around you I did the treatment by myself and loved it I couldn’t help but think it would be a great experience to share with my partner I certainly know what I’m getting him for his birthday It is also ideal for a best friends’ outing Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website Statistics cookies collect information anonymously This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website Karel Stautemas poses with a Grimbergen beer in the courtyard of the Belgian Abbey of Grimbergen Karel says the abbey's fathers will return to brewing after a break of two centuries The last time Belgium's Grimbergen Abbey brewed beer the United States was only about 20 years old But the abbey now plans to make beer again it will turn to the original recipes and brewing instructions in its archive of medieval texts the Norbertine abbey's clerics spent centuries making beer But they were forced to stop when the abbey was destroyed in 1798 Now they want to get back into brewing — and to do it they're hoping to use secrets they've gleaned from ancient books the abbey managed to preserve The Grimbergen name already appears on Belgian beer thanks to licensing deals with two commercial breweries: Carlsberg brews Grimbergen beers for the international market while Heineken-owned Alken-Maes brews for the domestic market in Belgium The abbey gets part of those profits; now it wants to get directly involved in making the beer Sketching out a new alignment of traditional monastic brewing and corporate support says he will get formal training to help run the new microbrewery "Beer has always been part of life in the abbey and we are proud of the beers we have today," Karel said Tuesday as he announced plans for the new brewery Some of the books saved from the abbey's library date to the 12th century Those that deal with brewing beer are in Latin and Old Dutch making it hard to quickly identify which books should be brought to bear on the new project "We've spent hours leafing through the books," Karel said "and have discovered ingredient lists for beers brewed in previous centuries and even a list of the actual beers produced centuries ago." The abbey has been destroyed several times since it was founded — most recently in 1798 when French soldiers destroyed it and its brewery during a violent clampdown on the Roman Catholic Church (The area had recently been annexed by France.) The Grimbergen Abbey near Brussels aims to combine brewing traditions found in its ancient books with modern techniques That 1798 attack was devastating — but before its library was destroyed the abbey's quick-thinking clerics knocked a hole in a wall and ferried several hundred books to safety Grimbergen Abbey has been associated with the symbol of a phoenix Its clerics adopted the mythical animal as part of their coat of arms in 1629 after rebuilding the abbey following religious wars The phoenix also reflects the abbey's Latin motto: ardet nec consumitur — "burned but not destroyed." The new brewery will sit inside the abbey's walls and it will include a bar and restaurant for visitors with Karel and five or six other workers producing relatively small batches of beer it will use the same Belgian yeast Carlsberg currently uses to elicit rich The abbey-produced beer will also undergo multiple fermentations and barrel aging to deepen its flavors And the brewers will try to use local hops and some of the same approaches found in the abbey's library "We're excited to use these books to bring back the medieval techniques and ingredients to create new beers," said Marc-Antoine Sochon of Carlsberg who will be the new microbrewery's head brewer Become an NPR sponsor 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 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 by the monks that brewed in the Norbertine monastery before it was burned down by French revolutionaries in 1798 The monastery was later reinstated but the brewery and its recipes were thought to be lost 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 [caption id="attachment_21964" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Grimbergen Abbey Brewery[/caption] The Abbey Brewery was built in a close partnership between the Grimbergen Abbey and Carlsberg Group was instrumental in building the new facility and has joined the brewing team as Abbey Brewer he is expected to complete his brewing qualifications allowing him and his fellow fathers to continue the legacy of generations of Fathers before him “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 on an incredible journey of flavour discovery.” - Cees ‘t Hart [caption id="attachment_21965" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Father Karel Stautemas (Abbey Brewer) and Master Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon raising a toast[/caption] Curious to know more about the history of the Grimbergen Abbey and their shiny new brewery read Brewer World’s exclusive interviews with Father Karel Stautemas (Abbey Brewer) and Master Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon below Grimbergen Abbey has been burned down three times since its inception This is why we put up the phoenix as our symbol we always rose from the ashes and rebuilt the abbey brick by brick and that’s why our motto says ardet nec consumitur which translates to “burned but not destroyed” I’m always curious to understand what happens inside a fermenting tank and the science behind it I’m all about tasting beer rather than drinking it Being fascinated by many things in beer is how I made up my mind to get into beer brewing I started home-brewing at a very young age right from our parents garage and was very intrigued about the art of fermentation I later went on to pursue a wine-making course as in France there aren’t any diplomas which focus primarily on beer brewing I have managed to find a bridge between wine and beer making This is how I got into the Grimbergen brewing project I start off my day with morning prayers followed by breakfast in silence I head over to the brewery to meet the team and of course Marc-Antoine We discuss beers and taste it everyday to ensure everything is intact and the flavour is consistent which involves managing Abbey building and other miscellaneous work things keep me very busy and engaged at the Abbey Although from the archives we’ve seen that there is a list of ingredients mentioned where it tells you how many kilos of malt and hops were used for a specific style This gave us a vague idea on how to formulate a recipe based on ancient archives the recipes didn’t matter to the ancient brewers as the beers were not commercialised Consistency was not of any concern and therefore there is no evidence of brewers logging a recipe All I can say is that we have optimised a few areas such as wort cooling Every beer style at the Grimbergen Abbey is fermented at ambient temperatures just like it was centuries ago Astrum Pale Ale is very special as it is brewed with Australian Galaxy hops along with locally sourced Flemish hops for bittering brewers at Grimbergen Abbey sourced their hops locally and to keep this tradition intact [caption id="attachment_21969" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Grimbergen Astrum Pale Ale[/caption] This beer has a distinctive white wine character as we’ve fermented it with sparkling wine yeast Using this yeast results in much drier beer which is very unique Nelson Sauvin hops which have similar white wine like character were also used to elevate the experience [caption id="attachment_21970" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Grimbergen Magnum Opus - Brut Beer[/caption] The Abbey’s history is the inspiration behind this beer we thought that it would only be appropriate for us to add locally sourced smoked malt in this style [caption id="attachment_21971" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Grimbergen Ignis - Quadruple[/caption] The experience centre is a treat to all the visitors People coming in are first taken through the brewery tour followed by a sensory experience which showcases hop garden and all the flavours of Grimbergen beers visitors are allowed into the Abbey museum which showcases ancient artefacts and narrates the history of the Abbey to emphasise how it has been rebuilt from time and time again Asia is a huge market for the Carlsberg group and specifically in a country like India we know that there’s a preference for drinking high ABV beers bringing Grimbergen beers into India might be a plan for Carlsberg in the near future as it definitely is a market to focus 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 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 By entering yes you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy Heineken will turn off the lights at the Affligem brewery in Opwijk Although the official reason for the closure is plausible enough – the plant is subpar Heineken’s sustainability standards – it still raises pertinent questions does Heineken think the brand can thrive without a physical home The beer is named after the Affligem Abbey This question has been bugging me since January when Heineken announced its imminent closure It eventually became a puzzle because the nearby Grimbergen Abbey had just opened a swish new brewery cum restaurant (June 2021) the Grimbergen brewery was joined by a no-expenses-spared visitor centre which provides “a multi-sensory experience journey through Grimbergen’s 900-year history,” according to Carlsberg’s press release Grimbergen is a Premonstratensian monastery one opening – can shed light on how the two Big Brewers there is no spin on either Affligem or Grimbergen in their 2021 annual reports which may indicate they are just one of several hundred brands in their respective global portfolios Carlsberg’s honchos decided to splash out on a new 10,000 hl brewery which gives the brand not just a physical home but also a ring of authenticity Consider it an extra boon that Carlsberg can enlist Father Karel Stautemas it is debatable if abbey beer brands need a physical home which must be brewed at Trappist monasteries under the supervision of its monks to carry the Trappist seal abbey beers are brewed by secular breweries in reference to an abbey Usually there is a contract between the abbey and the brewery which provides the abbey with royalties in exchange for the use of its brand The best-known and best-selling abbey beer is AB-InBev’s Leffe which is brewed at AB-InBev’s breweries in reference to Notre-Dame de Leffe an abbey of Premonstratensian canons in Belgium’s Dinant The monastery was abandoned during the French Revolution – a fate that also befell Affligem and Grimbergen the production of Leffe beer was taken up again in a partnership with the Lootvoet brewery in Overijse This brewery was later bought by Belgium’s Artois (which then became Interbrew the Leffe licence has since been extended to Molson Coors for central and eastern Europe Leffe underlines that an abbey beer brand can flourish under a Macro Brewer for as long as punters think the beer honours the highest ethical standards and an unwavering commitment to quality which is crucial at a time when corporations are better known for their greed Why did Heineken decide to close the Affligem brewery I can only speculate that Heineken deemed the Affligem brand as surplus to requirements in Belgium When Heineken and Carlsberg jointly took over brewer Scottish & Newcastle in 2008 including its long-term Grimbergen licence for Belgium which had the Grimbergen licence for the rest of the world If you think this a highly complex relationship whereby Heineken and Carlsberg act both as collaborators (Grimbergen) and competitors (Affligem vs Grimbergen) Grimbergen outsells Affligem by far and has done so for many years Grimbergen on draught can be found all over and compared with EUR 4.30 for a glass of Affligem Heineken has felt inclined to push Grimbergen rather than its own Affligem brand The financial rewards would have been far higher Despite all the articles written about Belgian Trappist and abbey beers in international media – these alcoholorific beers are truly exotic in our secular times – the market for these beers is relatively small and limited to a few countries Most abbey beers are drunk in just three countries: France Take Leffe: of the estimated 2.5 million hl sold in the three countries in 2020 more than 2 million hl were sold in France alone and has seen its output rise to an estimated 1.5 million hl in 2020 Estimates put Affligem’s total volume at some 500,000 hl annually Except for perhaps a few thousand hl in Belgium the bulk of the brewery’s output has long been shipped to France That may have been the reason why Heineken got interested in Affligem in the first place it did not have an abbey beer in its portfolio With Affligem it suddenly had a challenger the idea must have taken hold that selling Affligem in France did not warrant the costs of running a dedicated “Did not AB-InBev’s Leffe show that cumbersome paraphernalia like a brewery are superfluous if a brand is healthy?” Heineken’s cost cutters may have argued according to the Boston Consulting Group’s product portfolio matrix given its low market share and low rate of growth companies regularly draw upon the BCG’s growth-share matrix or similar tools when deciding which brands to keep all forecasts about a brand’s future rest on these so-called “scientific” methods The final closure of the Affligem brewery will be a sad day for its workers the monks and possibly a few passionate consumers But as the corporates never tire of reminding us: courage is the key to making tough decisions Belgium company closures company news Newsletter archive and information ShareSaveCommentLifestyleSpiritsGlobal Brand Grimbergen Is Going Back To Its Roots In Opening Its New Abbey Brewery.ByHudson Lindenberger Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights 04:14pm EDTShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 3 years old.Grimbergen Abbey Brewer Father Karel Stautemas and Master Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon inside the new .. fans of the Belgian beer brand Grimbergen will be able to drink their beers on-site at the Abbey where the beer was first brewed in 1128 That is due to a unique joint venture project between Carlsberg (the global licensee of Grimbergen) and the Fathers of Grimbergen Abbey that resulted in a state-of-the-art Abbey Brewery "Grimbergen is at the very heart of our growing portfolio of craft and specialty beer and it is contributing to the strong double-digit growth we're seeing in the category,” said Cees ‘t Hart “The new Abbey Brewery is an important step for us in continuing to develop our specialty brews to meet growing worldwide demand on an incredible journey of flavour discovery." When the Abbey was disbanded and ultimately destroyed during the French Revolution brewing ceased on-site by the Fathers for the third time in its history it was destroyed during periods of unrest but bounced back the brand was reborn in the middle of the twentieth century when the Abbey licensed out its name to a local Belgium brewery The brand grew in popularity and eventually was acquired by Carlsberg you can find Grimbergen beers across the globe but something was missing for the Fathers of the Abbey they discovered ancient recipes and instructions on how to craft beers from the monks of the past The fifteen brothers that make up the monastic community inside its walls met and decided to dedicate themselves to brewing beer again Grimbergen Abbey Brewer Father Karel Stautemas and Master Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon with the continued strong growth of Grimbergen around the world it felt like it was the right time to bring brewing back home back to the Abbey,” says Father Karel Stautemas “The new Abbey Brewery is a hub of innovation so it gives us a place to combine 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.” An on-site restaurant and visitor center were built to supplement their endeavor further to create an experience for visitors similar to one they would find at other Belgian Abbey brewhouses and craft beer breweries All of the money that the Fathers make from the new entity will contribute to the running costs of the Abbey and helping other Norbertine Abbeys in South Africa and Brazil the brewery brought in Master Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon from France He has been involved with the project from day one and has stayed on to oversee the brewing process as the Fathers ramp things up The first three beers produced at the new brewhouse are Grimbergen Magnus Opus Brut Beer They will be served on-site and offered in limited distribution in France As the global beer industry continues to look for new and exciting items to roll out to the public it seems like the team at Carlsburg only had to look to the past to find a new way forward State-of-the-art Grimbergen Abbey Brewery brings together almost 900 years of brewing tradition with the best of new-world brewing techniques 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 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 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 on an incredible journey of flavour discovery.”       The Abbey Brewery was built in a close partnership between the Grimbergen Abbey and Carlsberg Group he will complete his brewing qualifications 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 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 a 28-year-old brewing wunderkind from France who began brewing in his parents’ garage and has since gone on to study both wine making and brewing added: “We are now brewing beer in the abbey for the first time again in over 200 years for the Grimbergen community and for all those who love Grimbergen beer “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.” For more information about Grimbergen Abbey Brewery and Grimbergen beers, visit grimbergen.com carlsberggroup.com Grimbergen Abbey brew incorporates methods found in 12th-century books It has taken more than 220 years but an order of monks at Grimbergen Abbey, producers of a fabled medieval beer whose brand was adopted by mass producers in the 1950s, have started to brew again after rediscovering the original ingredients and methods in their archives. In a sign of the significance of the news for beer-loving Belgians, the announcement was made by the abbey’s subprior, Father Karel Stautemas, in the presence of the town’s mayor and 120 journalists and enthusiasts. Stautemas said the development was the culmination of four years of research into the methods of monks that brewed beer in the Norbertine monastery before it was burned down by French revolutionaries in 1798 View image in fullscreenNorbertine Father Karel toasts with a Grimbergen beer Photograph: GrimbergenStautemas admitted it might be best not to drink too much of the newly produced beer The source of inspiration for the new microbrewery was the discovery from 12th-century books of details about the original monks’ brewing methods specifically their use of hops rather than fermented herbs which put the monks ahead of many of their contemporaries The books were saved in the 18th century when the fathers knocked a hole in the library wall and secretly removed them before the abbey was set on fire but nobody could read them,” Stautemas said We’ve spent hours leafing through the books and have discovered ingredient lists for beers brewed in previous centuries and even a list of the actual beers produced centuries ago.” Only some elements from the recipe books are being used by the monks “I don’t think people now would like the taste of the beer made back then,” Stautemas said the newly appointed master brewer for the abbey use of wooden barrels and exploitation of particular local soil – or terroir – is being emulated who lives with 11 other monks at the abbey said: “What we really learned was that the monks then kept on innovating They changed their recipe every 10 years.” The new beer is being made in partnership with Carlsberg which produces the Grimbergen range of beers for sale around the world The microbrewery will produce 3m 330ml glasses a year for a largely French and Belgian market Asked whether he felt comfortable with the commercial tie-up with big brewers Stautemas said the royalties from all the Grimbergen beers would allow the monks to live in the monastery make pilgrimages and help “those who come knocking on our door and need help” Grimbergen was founded in 1128 but burned down three times in all giving it its symbol of a phoenix and the motto ardet nec consumitur – burned but not destroyed Today, Grimbergen Abbey Brewery, known for brewing delicious and inviting Belgian-style beers, has unveiled a brand new interactive Grimbergen Experience in the unique surrounds of the famous Grimbergen Abbey near Brussels The Grimbergen Experience invites visitors to step into the rich world of Belgian beer and takes them on a journey through the history of Grimbergen Abbey and a world of exciting flavours innovation and the Monastic art of brewing that has been mastered by the Father’s on the historic site over centuries The Experience is creatively set on a mezzanine overlooking the Abbey Brewery visitors are given an RFID Smart tag which they are encouraged to use throughout their visit to bring the Experience to life As visitors make their way around the experience they can catch a glimpse of the brewing process which combines 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 The Experience is a place to dive in and discover a hidden world of flavour and deliciousness Visitors even get a personalised beer recommendation based on their time in the experience as well as an opportunity to design their perfect beer They can learn about the fine ingredients including hops some of which are grown by the Father’s in the Abbey Gardens; walk through the brewing process from recipe design to bottling and they might even see Father Karel Stautemas who combines his life as Provisor at Grimbergen Abbey with being Abbey Brewer Speaking as the doors to the new Grimbergen Experience opened Specialty & Alcohol-Free Brews at Carlsberg said: "It is a delight to be here at the opening of the new Grimbergen Experience which has been so beautifully curated [caption id="attachment_26608" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Father Karel at The Grimbergen Experience[/caption] "This experience takes people on a voyage of discovery into the world of Belgian beer while telling the story of Grimbergen and our passion for pursuing new tastes and new flavours to create exceptional premium beer "I hope those who love Grimbergen beer will come to visit us take a tour and enjoy what is a very special setting." Provisor at the Abbey and Abbey Brewer said: “These are exciting times in Grimbergen We have created a visually rich experience that explores the brewing heritage of Grimbergen Abbey "Visitors will be immersed in a world of flavour and discovery that I hope will enrich their understanding of Belgian beer in general and Grimbergen Abbey beer in particular in the heart of Grimbergen that we explore flavours and create our delicious brews and I look forward to sharing our story with very many visitors" [caption id="attachment_26609" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Grimbergen Experience[/caption] Grimbergen’s bar and restaurant where visitors can enjoy the unique flavours of Grimbergen beer on tap along with dishes from the restaurant that are perfectly paired with Grimbergen brews The opening of the new visitor experience comes a year after Grimbergen opened the state-of-the-art Grimbergen Abbey Brewery which has restored brewing inside the abbey walls for the first time in centuries the new Grimbergen Experience was built in a close partnership between the Grimbergen Abbey and Carlsberg Group For more information about the Grimbergen Experience, Grimbergen Abbey Brewery and Grimbergen beers, visit https://www.grimbergen.com/the-grimbergen-experience on an incredible journey of flavour discovery.”       The Abbey Brewery was built in a close partnership between the Grimbergen Abbey and Carlsberg Group “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 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 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 we’re celebrating with our finest work yet zesty orange and sweet vanilla notes are complemented by a gentle 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 Ignis Quadruple is inspired by the Fathers’ spirit to rebuild when fire wreaked havoc on all that they treasured it is a symbol of our light still burning brightly after all these years Beech-smoked malts give Ignis Quadruple a delicious Its smoky notes combine with the spicy characteristics of Grimbergen beers to create a strong 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 And we’ve brought them together with the finest hops from Flanders to create a perfectly balanced brew Grimbergen is a range of award-winning premium and sensorial Belgian-style beers Known as The Beer of the Phoenix – a symbol inspired by three devastating fires Grimbergen Abbey has survived – Grimbergen’s range of beers is the result of tried and tested brewing techniques and experimentation over nine centuries Grimbergen’s taste is rich and characterful from rich blondes to malty doubles and refreshing blanches For More Information:https://www.grimbergenbeer.com/en/ Early Registration Open You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Grimbergen Abbey monks feared 12th-century recipe was destroyed in fire I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Belgian monks have resurrected a beer last brewed 220 years ago When Grimbergen Abbey’s brewery was ransacked and destroyed by French troops in 1795 it was feared the monks’ mediaeval recipes were also lost But after rediscovering a 12th-century recipe and methods in their archive, the Order of Canons Regular of Premontre at the abbey north of Brussels have begun brewing once again After plans to build a new brewery were approved on Monday the monks hope to produce their first batch of 10.8% ales by late 2020 Father Karel Stautemas said the abbey’s monks believed it was important to look to the site’s heritage and tradition of brewing who will be one of five to six workers at the new brewery added: “Brewing and religious life always came together.” Marc-Antoine Sochon, an expert at Carlsberg who will be the project’s brewmaster said the brewery planned to make limited edition versions of beer already made on a commercial scale under the Grimbergen name He said the 10,000 hectolitre-per-year operation would keep the same yeast which will bring “all the fruitiness and spiciness” while trying out new methods such as barrel-ageing and dry-hopping The Carlsberg-funded project will aim to use locally-produced crops including hops planted in the abbey’s garden The monks will follow the rules of Belgium’s Trappist beer makers, meaning they will brew within the abbey walls, control the brewing, and use profits for maintaining the abbey and supporting charities. Since being founded in 1128, Grimbergen Abbey has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt three times. The abbey decided to adopt the phoenix as a symbol of rebirth and the motto “ardet nec consumitur”, which means “burned, but not destroyed”. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies 2014-15: Coxed the varsity four to a second-place finish in the grand final at the NCAA Championship the highest finish by the four at NCAAs in school history.. Won a silver medal with the four at the Ivy League Championship.. 2013-14: Coxed the varsity four to a silver medal at the Ivy League Championship.. Coxed the second varsity eight that won the G P Jeffries Memorial Trophy at the Henley Women''s Regatta...CRCA Scholar Athlete selection 2011-12: Won a gold medal with the second varsity four at the Ivy League Championship Rowing Highlights: Rowed for four years at Stanford Rowing Center… SRC captain from 2009-2011… Finished sixth at 2010 Southwest Junior Regionals in the lightweight 4+… Competed at the 2008 Head of the Charles in the Youth Four event helped team to Central Coast Section Championships in 2010 the game comes down to one thing: man against man May the best man win.” – Sam Huff Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. News & Analysis for the Beverage Industry 27-May-2021 Last updated on 27-May-2021 at 13:33 GMT The new Abbey Brewery near Brussels 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.’ Carlsberg Group, the global licensees of Grimbergen, says the brand is ‘at the very heart’ of its growing portfolio of craft and specialty beer: a category seeing double-digit growth. The abbey was founded nearly 900 years ago: but brewing was ceased when the building was destroyed in the French Revolution. The new Abbey Brewery was built through a partnership between the Grimbergen Abbey and Carlsberg Group. Father Karel Stautemas, Provisor at the Abbey, has joined the brewing team as Abbey Brewer. When Covid allows, he will complete his brewing qualifications.  He will combine his day-to-day monastic life with the running of the Abbey Brewery, supporting Master Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon (a 28-year-old 'brewing wunderkind' from France). Sochon said: “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 flavors that could only be conceived in the unique surrounds of Grimbergen Abbey.” The first three brews to be produced at Grimbergen Abbey Brewery are Grimbergen Magnum Opus Brut Beer; Grimbergen Ignis Quadruple; and Grimbergen Astrum Pale Ale. Grimbergen is one of the brands in Carlsberg’s craft and specialty beer division: a category which posted volume growth of 13% in Q1, 2021 and is a key priority for the company. The portfolio also includes international cider brand Somersby. In 2020, the category saw particularly notable growth in European markets such as Poland, Norway, Switzerland and Russia, and also in China. Cees ‘t Hart, CEO of Carlsberg Group, said: “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.”   Grimbergen Abbey Brewery also features an on-site bar and restaurant. Later this year, Grimbergen will also open a Brewery Experience Centre. '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.' '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.' '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.' The top 50 brewers and craft brewers in the US31-Mar-2021By Rachel ArthurThe Brewers Association – the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers – has released its 2020 list of the US’ top brewers and craft brewers. Anheuser-Busch and Patagonia settle beer trademark case23-Mar-2021By Rachel ArthurOutdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia and Anheuser-Busch have reached a settlement over the latter’s ‘Patagonia’ beer brand in the US. How to create a prebiotic soda that meets European flavor expectationsPaid for and content provided by esarom How to meet consumer needs for indulgencePaid for and content provided by Agus RTD coffee: Convenience and energy boosting - but what comes next?Paid for and content provided by esarom evident in books in the abbey's library it is releasing three new Grimbergen beers.Marc-Antoine Sochon a brewmaster from Carlsberg overseeing the 10,000 hectolitre-per-year facility said one of the new beers drew on a tradition from the Middle Ages to use smoky malt."That's the idea I think to make trials small samples," he said.The project aims to focus on using local crops and to that end the abbey has planted hops and herbs in its garden discovering in the plot an old cow bone used to clarify beer.Grimbergen's monks will follow the rules of Belgium's Trappist beer makers requiring them to brew within the abbey walls control the operation and steer profits towards the abbey upkeep and charitable causes.Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved The Grimbergen brand owner will take over the remaining 33.33% stake in Carlsberg South Asia for $744m Danish brewing giant Carlsberg has completed a deal to acquire the remaining shares of its joint venture partner in Carlsberg South Asia (CSAPL) The Grimbergen brand owner will purchase the remaining 33.33% shareholding in CSAPL for $744m the original offer proposed to the group last year Carlsberg’s India-based partner Khetan Group gave notice of its plan to sell its stake in CSAPL had issued a valuation of $744m on its 33% share of the company CSAPL is the holding company for the 1664 brewer‘s Indian operations and the Gorkha Brewery business in Nepal CSAPL has also signed an agreement to increase its shareholding in Gorkha Brewery to 99.94% Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis Completion of the acquisition is expected by the fourth quarter of 2024 subject to conditions which include being granted “certain government approvals” for the increased shares in the Nepal business Carlsberg CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen said: “We’re pleased that we’ve been able to reach an amicable agreement with our partner and achieve full control of two important Asian businesses.” He added the move would help the company to “accelerate investments to capture the long-term growth opportunities in this exciting beer market.” Carlsberg was already given the green light for the CSAPL acquisition by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) last September Finalising the agreement however was paused when the Copenhagen-based brewer asked for the deal to be moved into an arbitration process after it objected Khetan’s $744m valuation for its 33% share Both companies had been involved in a commercial dispute since 2019 with Khetan accusing Carlsberg of not complying with local trade laws The Somersby apple cider owner denied the claims and Khetan referred the case to a Singapore arbitration tribunal In 2022, Carlsberg was said to have won the lengthy court battle. In an interview with Just Drinks at the time, the group’s then CEO Cees ’t Hart indicated that it would be making moves to snap up Khetan’s stake in the near future Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Drinks Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network the Grimbergen microbrewery opened its doors inside the famous Grimbergen Abbey near Brussels they have released three exciting new brews It’s the first time in 200 years that beer has been brewed inside the walls of the abbey on an incredible journey of flavour discovery.” just like our symbol the Phoenix we always have the strength to rise again Belgium company news ~ The event marks the culmination of a six-year journey and multi-million-euro investment by the Carlsberg Group.~ ~New award-winning* Abbey brewery brand identity "1128 by Grimbergen" is unveiled to accelerate its premium positioning.~ Grimbergen, known for brewing delicious and refreshing Belgian-style beers, has brought even more of its 900-year history to life with the opening of the newly extended Grimbergen Experience in the unique surrounds of the famous Grimbergen Abbey near Brussels The newly expanded multi-sensory experience is a voyage from the past to the present and showcases the harmony of tradition and modernity that is the essence of the Grimbergen brand  It charts the story of the Grimbergen Abbey Fathers’ who continue the brewing legacy of generations of Fathers before them blending ancient craft with innovation to unearth new flavours Visitors will be invited to step into the Fathers’ shoes as they learn about the Norbertine Order as well as taking a close look at some of the most famous Abbots from across the centuries who have helped to shape Grimbergen and left their indelible mark The opening marks the culmination of a remarkable six-year journey and multi-million-euro investment by Carlsberg that has delivered the Grimbergen Abbey brewery and the refurbished Fenikshof bar and restaurant CEO of the Carlsberg Group said: “I am delighted to be here to celebrate another remarkable day in the history of Grimbergen Grimbergen is at the very heart of Carlsberg’s premium brands portfolio and is contributing significantly to the continued growth we are seeing in this category." The launch coincides with the release of “1128 by Grimbergen", a new visual identity for the Abbey Brewery’s range that celebrates the year the Abbey was created and, it forms part of Carlsberg’s wider strategy to accelerate growth of its premium porfolio of which Grimbergen is a core part The new premium identity introduces both the "Authentic Norbertine Product" logo and the signature of Fr symbolizing Grimbergen Abbey beer's authenticity Grimbergen is now presented in a striking new 75cl bottle which is perfect for sharing with friends or to accompany a meal "I read in the newly extended Grimbergen Experience that the Fathers' success lies in their prioritising quality The same could be said of Carlsberg’s founder J.C it is why the partnership between Carlsberg and the Abbey is such an enduring success It has transformed Grimbergen into a world-class brand enjoyed in more than forty countries worldwide and has led us to forge the future of brewing and to create something quite extraordinary.” “Both the newly extended visitor experience and new brand identity mark an important milestone in the profound evolution of Grimbergen,” continued Aarup-Andersen “They are a testament to Carlsberg’s brand-building investments over the last six years and to the long-term ambition to invest further and to continue to grow this special premium brand." Provisor of the Abbey and Abbey Brewer said: “Today marks another new and exciting chapter in our story This new extension enables us to share fascinating insights into the Fathers visitors can buy a range of souvenirs and pay a visit to Fenikshof Grimbergen’s bar and restaurant where Belgian cuisine is perfectly paired with Grimbergen beer These latest developments at Grimbergen come two years after Carlsberg refurbished Fenikshof three years after the opening of the state-of-the-art Abbey Brewery which restored brewing inside the walls of the Abbey for the first time in over two hundred years the newly extended visitor experience has been built in a close partnership between Grimbergen Abbey and Carlsberg Group has been heavily involved in curating the content of the new extension The new Grimbergen Experience was built in a close partnership between the Grimbergen Abbey and Carlsberg Group For more information about Grimbergen Abbey Brewery and Grimbergen beers, visit www.grimbergen.com Belgian beer brand Grimbergen unveiled its innovative new brewery inside the famous Grimbergen Abbey near Brussels on Thursday and looks forward to Chinese tourists Stautemas said: "We want to combine our experience to explore and experiment with styles and ingredients in a really exciting way." Grimbergen has released three exciting new brews –Grimbergen Magnum Opus Brut Beer Grimbergen Abbey Brewery also features an on-site bar and restaurant giving visitors the opportunity to savor the rich brews and pair them with dishes from the restaurant Fenikshof and it also welcomes Chinese customers to come and experience the authentic Belgian beers The requester URL cannot be found in our server. If you followed a broken URL please send an email to catholicna@catholicna.com so we can solve the problem. Click here to return to the homepage CNA is a service of EWTN News, Inc. he will become one of five to six workers in the new brewery.Marc-Antoine Sochon an expert at Carlsberg who will be the project's brewmaster said the 10,000 hectolitre-per-year facility aimed to make limited edition versions of beer already brewed on a commercial scale under the Grimbergen name."We will keep the same yeast which will bring all the fruitiness and spiciness and we will start to dig into more innovations adding special edition batches could be just 60 hectolitres.The abbey has been tied to commercial brewers since the 1950s when local brewer Maes asked the monks to use the Grimbergen name and emblem on its "abbey beer".About 1.5 million hectolitres of that brand are now produced globally with Heineken unit Alken-Maes making and selling it in Belgium while Carlsberg brews it largely in France for other markets aims to focus on using locally produced crops There will also be a visitors' centre.Grimbergen's monks will follow the rules of Belgium's Trappist beer makers control the brewing and steer profits towards maintaining the abbey and supporting charitable causes.Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Edmund Blair These days you can find a lot of amazing lines up across the summer festival circuit so it has to be a lot more than just good music to make a festival memorable. Here is a breakdown of what made this festival one we will look back on with a smile of satisfaction: Every festival should do its best to ensure they are doing whatever it can to reduce its environmental impact and encourage its guests to do the same. A few ways in which they reduced their CO2 impact included planting new trees, using reusable hard cups, giving away EPs made out of recycled plastic, offering biodegradable straws, decomposable tableware, and efficient transport options. It was great to see such fun and healthy options for food, which got us more inspired to actually eat instead of skipping meals to cram in more dance floor time as usual. After one peek at all the delicious options including tacos, Vietnamese street food, and healthy chicken wraps we sat down to fuel up for a full day of dancing, and we were very happy we did! They even had a pop-up restaurant on-site for Sunday brunch hosted by a 5-star Belgian chef. Whether you wanted to talk crypto or mediate, the Oracle offered a refuge from the music and a place to connect on different levels and topics. There was also a Bazaar market in a Bohemian tent where you could purchase unique festival clothing and accessories, or take your chance to peek into your future with a fortune teller. Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account Belgian monks at Grimbergen Abbey plan to brew beer again following newly discovered original recipes within their archives Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience the monks announced that they have received a permit to construct a microbrewery within the abbey in which they will brew their iconic beer from recipes dating back to the 12th century explained that the initiative is the product of four years of research into medieval books shelved in the abbey’s library which contain information on how the monks brewed beer in the past Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. but nobody could read them,” Stautemas told the National Post in a telephone interview Wednesday The medieval troves were thought to be lost after the monastery near Brussels was ransacked and burned during the French Revolution in 1789 a group of abbey monks are said to have saved close to 300 books from an otherwise guaranteed destruction by secretly knocking a hole in the library wall and removing them to safety “Beer has always been part of our life in the abbey,” said Stautemas in a release The abbey plans to emulate key elements of the methods laid out in the books such as a lack of artificial additives and only using wooden barrels (not metal vats) Grimbergen unveiled a limited-edition Triple D’Abbaye as an example of the types of brews it will make at the new microbrewery The beer had been aged in whiskey barrels for five months a technique used to brew Belgians beer in the 1500s the monks constantly added innovations to the beer recipes “They changed their recipe every 10 years,” Stautemas said A spokeswoman for the Grimbergen brand said the abbey microbrewery will use various elements from the beer recipes uncovered in the medieval books “There isn’t just one recipe,” she explained the abbey plans on modifying the taste of the beer to suit current preferences “I don’t think people now would like the taste of the beer back then,” said Stautemas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Pa7dl954k&feature=youtu.be Grimbergen beer is known for a fruity and spice taste Rather than producing a commercial quantity all-year round the abbey has opted to produce limited-edition batches annually for a transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account Following speculation from fans for the past few months, Hinds officially announce the departure of bassist Ade Martín and drummer Amber Grimbergen. In a statement posted to their social media pages, the band said: "hello family. we have some news. Ade and Amber decided to leave the band in december. we are sorry we haven't been able to let you know until now." They also let fans know that they will still continue the band, despite going "through something very hurtful", and acknowledge that their fans "might feel as heartbroken" as they felt when it happened, "but luckily music has the power to heal an aching soul". Fans had been suspecting that something has happened with the quartet as Martín and Grimbergen were not present at their recent shows supporting Coldplay, in Barcelona, nor the posts that they had been sharing of them working on music in the studio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HINDS (@hindsband) Martín and Grimbergen said: "After a lot of thought we've realised that continuing with the band isn't something that makes sense for us anymore playing our songs on stages around the world and sharing all of that with you makes the decision on leaving those amazing times behind They go on to say that they're excited about the next chapter of their lives and looking forward to embarking on different projects Martín has been releasing music as a solo artist under the moniker Shanghai Baby Hinds final releases with this line-up include the CHAI collaboration, "UNITED GIRLS ROCK'N'ROLL CLUB", and their 2020 album, The Prettiest Curse The remaining members Carlotta Cosials and Ana García Perrote appear to be in the studio working on their fourth album There is yet to be a release date for the forthcoming music Get the Best Fit take on the week in music direct to your inbox every Friday the super fun and catchy Spanish garage rock band You might say they’ve lost their hind legs: bassist Ade Martín and drummer Amber Grimbergen — both of whom joined the band nearly a decade ago when they were still called Deers — departed the group in December Founding members Carlotta Cosials and Ana García Perrote remain and they shared news of the lineup change today on Instagram The departing members also posted a farewell message: At the same time we’re excited about what’s next We’re excited about having new experiences with new and different projects We’re excited about this new chapter in our lives We want to say thank you to everyone who has been a part of this crazy run and shared it with us and tooth brushes we’ve shared over years and of course the crew members who put up with us on tour all the friends we made around the world and of course to the nicest and coolest fans a band’s ever had Thank you thank you thank you for everything Martín launched the solo project Shanghai Baby last year Hinds’ most recent album was 2020’s The Prettiest Curse The most important stories and least important memes known for its award-winning and sensorial Belgian beers has revealed it has received the permits to build a new microbrewery inside the walls of Grimbergen Abbey near Brussels The microbrewery will bring brewing back to where it started and will combine brewing traditions from ancient books from the abbey's library with modern and innovative techniques to craft limited-edition batches of premium beers The medieval books have lived in the abbey's extensive library for centuries and the Fathers have recently delved deeper into their pages to uncover brewing techniques that have until now been lost to history Grimbergen plans to use this information in its microbrewery to create unique and exceptional beers with never before known tastes The books date from as far back as the 12th Century and their pages reveal fascinating details on how Grimbergen beers were brewed in the past. The collection has survived the three fires that have destroyed the Abbey The third fire in 1798 during the French Revolution threatened to completely destroy the collection but the books were saved thanks to the incredible bravery and ingenuity of the Grimbergen Abbey Fathers They knocked a hole in the library wall and secretly removed around 300 books before the abbey was set on fire and destroyed for the third time The Fathers of Grimbergen have also played a pivotal role in realising the vision of bringing brewing back to where it started the subprior at the abbey to become involved in the microbrewery He is set to take on an additional role to his usual day-to-day life by undertaking formal brewing training This will allow him to combine the centuries of brewing heritage at the abbey with modern techniques to continue the legacy of generations of Fathers before him Speaking at a launch event at Grimbergen Abbey Father Karel said: "Beer has always been part of life in the abbey and we are proud of the beers we have today We've really enjoyed reading more about past brewing traditions in the pages of these ancient texts We've spent hours leafing through the books and have discovered ingredient lists for beers brewed in previous centuries and even a list of the actual beers produced centuries ago This new knowledge adds to our brewing heritage and I'm really looking forward to combining this with my training to revive brewing at Grimbergen Abbey We will continue to study further to learn more of the book's undiscovered secrets." Father Karel and the Fathers of the abbey will support Head Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon who has been heavily involved in making the microbrewery a reality Marc-Antoine said: "The microbrewery will be a place for us to combine modern inventive methods with the ancient Grimbergen brewing heritage We're excited to use these books to bring back the medieval techniques and ingredients to create new beers that perfectly complement the excellent offering and flavours of the existing Grimbergen beers At the abbey event where the new brewery was announced Grimbergen unveiled a new limited-edition Grimbergen Triple D'Abbaye which is an example of the types of brews that will be offered at the new microbrewery The new limited-edition beer has been aged in whiskey barrels for five months a technique similar to those used to brew Belgians beer back in the 1500s Grimbergen plans to open its microbrewery to the public in late 2020 It will also include a visitor centre that will give the visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Grimbergen The on-site bar and restaurant will give visitors the opportunity to savour the rich brews and pair them with local cuisine.  To watch a video about the brewing heritage of Grimbergen and the new abbey microbrewery, please visit http://bit.ly/grimbergenmb Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/890729/Grimbergen_Beer.jpg CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK).In the library at Grimbergen Abbey a Norbertine monastery towering over the Belgian town of the same name a monk in a white habit and a 26-year-old brewer are scouring 12th-century Latin and Old Dutch manuscripts for recipes The unlikely pair are the team behind Grimbergen’s range of medieval beers Father Karel Stautemas is the abbey’s subprior while craft beer aficionado Marc-Antoine Sochon who began brewing in his parents’ garage aged just 16 Made according to medieval recipes unearthed in the archives these beers are classed as abbey-style — they’re produced using the same processes made famous by Trappist monks but aren’t actually brewed within the walls of a monastery “Monks had the ability to write everything down peasants wouldn’t have been able to do,” Father Karel explains “So we still have the exact blueprints made by the brewmaster.” Although Grimbergen beers are currently brewed externally the monks are in the process of building their own microbrewery; by 2020 they hope to be brewing inside the abbey walls for the first time since 1797 “Making beer with monks is a dream come true,” says Marc-Antoine you always learn about abbey-style beers.” Grimbergen’s range includes a dark-coloured ale made from double-fermented malts and hops and a strong winter beer with hints of caramel and liquorice The beer archives have survived three devastating fires over the centuries; today the monks blend hops grown amid the ashes with ingredients imported from the US they released an abbey-style pale ale made with American citra hops “The good thing about being monks is that we have the time to innovate,” says Father Karel there’ll be another monk to take over from me Grimbergen Café Brussels Head here to find the full range of Grimbergen beers alongside other abbey-style brews Lowlander Grand Cafe LondonThis venue close to Covent Garden stocks a wide selection of abbey-style beers Mount Saint Bernard Abbey LeicestershireBritain’s only Trappist beer is made by these monks; buy it from the abbey shop Published in Issue 6 of National Geographic Traveller Food The brewing technique was discovered in an old tome which was saved from a fire during the French Revolution Soon we will be able to sample a variety of beers from a simpler time when Belgian monks toiled ceaselessly to brew the finest beer in Europe The monks at Norbertine Abbey recently pored over a collection of 200-year-old books which were once nearly destroyed by a fire None of them had any idea they were about to rediscover the lost art of brewing Grimbergen beers which has not been practiced by the brothers since the end of the 18th century The Grimbergen name has survived the centuries which has licensed the name for an internationally renowned beverage but these beers are made using modern techniques intend to begin brewing the original beer themselves Utilizing the methods which they discovered in their books — some of which date back to the 12th century — they plan to house the operation in a new microbrewery which will be constructed inside the walls of Grimbergen Abbey CNN reports “Beer has always been part of life in the abbey and we are proud of the beers we have today.” He continued “We’ve spent hours leafing through the books The plans for the microbrewery include an onsite bar and restaurant They expect the construction to be complete by 2020 when it will open to the public for tastings and meals The brothers say they expect to be able to produce about 10,000 hectoliters per brew Father Karel teased CNN with a description of one of their “new” beers: the limited-edition Grimbergen Triple D’Abbaye which ages for 5 months in whiskey barrels before it is bottled This technique was used in the production of Belgian brews as far back as the 1500s The official description of the beer reads: which were previously used for bourbon and whisky and yeast is added to give it a slight refermentation fruity and spicy phenolic flavours decrease allowing the malty vanilla flavors from the whiskey barrel to infuse itself.” Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you Please make a tax-deductible donation today Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news All-female four-piece Hinds have stormed out of their native Madrid with an energetic lo-fi garage rock sound driven by the taut beats of drummer Amber Grimbergen.  Rowdy and well-received sets at Coachella and Glastonbury have boosted their profile all around the world as Amber and co continue to make being in a band seem like unquestionably the best fun possible.  New album I Don’t Run displays a growing maturity to their playing but still with a keen sense of joyous pop on the arresting New For You my parents owned a restaurant and I spent all the weekends there It was fun because all the workers were my sisters’ friends that were like 17 18 years old and the vibe was awesome.  "One of the chefs was always cooking with headphones on and singing out loud one day I asked him what he was listening to and he handed me his iPod; it was Whatever People Say I Am… by the Arctic Monkeys and I freaked out It was my first contact with contemporary rock and I loved it so much!  "My sister’s house had a rehearsal place in the basement with a drum kit and later my sister’s boyfriend taught me how to play.”   “Matt Helders of Arctic Monkeys of course Kiran Ghandi and Chloe Saavedra of Chaos Chaos.”  Which Hinds song perfectly captures your sound and style I felt more confident writing the drums for this record and I think I finally found a style I’m comfortable with.  I mostly learnt how to play by teaching myself and I think that helped me to have an open mind about what is ‘right’ and what’s not.”   What has been the proudest moment of your career to date “I feel so proud just with the fact I am in a band that’s able to tour and to travel all around I grew up in a little town and there were a lot of bands but no one ever dreamed about touring… so I am very grateful for this but I am the proudest when I listen to our records Recording in a studio and sharing all that music is the best achievement and feeling.”   “I went to a group music class for four years in high school a bunch of kids with instruments playing covers and playing them in front of our parents twice a year in a theatre.  the rest for the rest,’ and I wouldn’t have been able to play in a band without that sentence.”    It was a cheap second-hand one and honestly but it worked for me at that time… Last year I finally got myself a good one a beautiful Gretsch Catalina Maple and it’s sparkling blue Turkish for crash and Zildjian for ride.  "The element I am most proud of is my pink sticks I saw pink sticks for the first time in a Guitar Center in California and I fell in love so I had to order them online and I got like 24 pairs at once a few months ago!”   How do you approach playing live with Hinds Beer makes me feel more comfortable on stage We want to make people dance and we want them to feel as free as us My dad tried to teach me oboe and I hated it and I hated it; I played piano for two years "I’ve tried guitar but strings are super hard for me… though one day at the studio Ade and me switched instruments and jammed.”   What is the one piece of gear you couldn’t live without but it’s the only ride cymbal I like when I hit it hard and soft What’s the key to a great live performance?  Usually we bring a mini speaker to play songs backstage before a show and the best warm-up is some cheer-up songs and beer.  "My favourite picks are ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ by Shakira and ‘Blow Your Mind’ by Dua Lipa…” “Miles runs into the studio with his horn and shouts ‘hit the record button,’ and we were recording We wrapped that album up by midday”: Billy Cobham on Miles Davis’s agile approach to recording “I take responsibility for some of the confusion… Zak made a few mistakes and he has apologised” It was unbelievable”: The making of Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love Receive daily news and talk from Connecticut Public Radio directly to your inbox Several Carlsberg brands have taken podium places in this year’s World beer awards 2,200 entrants from 50 countries participated this year and a smashing 23 awards were awarded to Carlsberg Group brands from all over the world The two strongest performers were Grimbergen and HK YAU A quick look across the Carlsberg Group’s portfolio shows us that the pursuit for better brewing and staying at the forefront of brewing science for over 170 years has brought us a diverse and powerful portfolio of products with global potential The success in the 2020 World Beer Awards reminds us to celebrate our diversity and celebrate our fantastic brews Design & Brewing teams for co-creating the award winning brews that today’s discerning consumers are increasingly looking for plus working with the Hong Kong team to create locally relevant winning craft brews for HK Yau Lets raise a glass to award winning brews!" says Stephen Stringer VP of Craft & Specialty and AFB at Carlsberg Group The World Beer Awards are the global awards selecting the very best in all the international recognized styles award and promote the world’s best beers to consumers and trade across the globe The taste categories range from Best Belgian Pale and Best International Lager to the more specific like Best Specialty Rye There are strict guidelines on how the product must be in order to fit into a category and convey fair play and ensure that the best beer is chosen on its merits rather than its brand The awards are not exclusive to taste but also focus on the visual aspect of great beers such as bottle design and range design HK YAU were particularly strong performers in these categories taking gold in World's best re-design/re-launch words: Cat Wolinski A book of 12th-century beer recipes is being used to recreate beers from the past The books were discovered in the archives at Grimbergen Abbey The books, which Grimbergen Abbey has had possession of for some time, once belonged to the Norbertine monastery, which was burned down by French revolutionaries in 1798, the Guardian reports Now, after four years of research, the 220-year-old recipes are being resurrected. The brew will yield a hefty Belgian ale of 10.8 percent ABV. The ale is being produced by Carlsberg, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, which currently produces Grimbergen-brand beer for markets outside of Belgium; and by Alken-Maes brewery for the Belgian market but nobody could read them,” Father Karel Stautemas The recipes were written in old Latin and old Dutch so the abbey brought in volunteers to study the texts “We’ve spent hours leafing through the books and have discovered ingredient lists for beers brewed in previous centuries and even a list of the actual beers produced centuries ago,” he said An interesting aspect of the recipes is their use of hops the beer recipe will be tweaked to cater to modern tastes Grimbergen Abbey, a monastery in central Belgium has burned down three times since it was first built in 1128 another aspect of the abbey’s history is rising from the ashes: its microbrewery Subprior Karel Stautemas raised a glass of freshly brewed Grimbergen beer to more than 100 onlookers and announced that the brewery is back in business Finding the recipes didn’t clear up all of the lingering questions at once. First and foremost, there was a significant language barrier as all of the recipes were written in unfamiliar strains of old Latin and old Dutch The abbey had to bring in volunteers to decipher the writings which ultimately revealed “the hops used and even a list of the actual beers produced centuries ago,” according to Stautemas the monks had to consider whether to stay purely faithful to the medieval guidelines which would have yielded beers rather difficult for our modern palettes to handle said that medieval beer “was a bit tasteless,” or comparable to “liquid bread,” so the monks decided to make some modifications needn’t worry: The medieval monks “kept on innovating” and updated their recipes “every 10 years,” Stautemas said so the 12 monks who live in the abbey today are well within their traditional rights even as they experiment Among the medieval elements remaining in place are the prohibition of artificial additives and the required use of wooden barrels and some specifically local ingredients Their new beer has an alcohol by volume content of 10.8 percent—that’s more than double what you’ll find in a Budweiser recommended stopping after one or two beverages It’s safe to assume that wasn’t covered when he was getting his theology degree We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders The page you are looking for cannot be found You may have followed a broken or outdated link Belgian monks have revived a medieval beer recipe last brewed in the 18th century The Order of Canons Regular of Premontre at Grimbergen Abbey in Belgium have begun brewing the ale again after rediscovering the original 12th-century recipe and methods in their archives But be careful if you get to try the new ancient brew - at 10.8 per cent alcohol content it's likely to blow your cassock off. Tuesday's launch of the beer was the culmination of four years of research by the monks, also known as the Premonstratensian or Norbetine order or the White Canons, and volunteer linguists.  Grimbergen Abbey subprior Father Karel Stautemas poured the first glass in the company of Grimbergen mayor Chris Selleslagh and some 120 journalists and brewing afficionados. The ancient brewing secrets of the white-robed friars were almost lost when French secular revolutionaries burned the abbey down in 1798. The recipe was only saved because the monks defied the republicans and knocked a hole in the library wall to smuggle out some 300 books. 'We had the books with the old recipes, but nobody could read them,' Father Stautemas said.  'It was all in old Latin and old Dutch. So we brought in volunteers.  'We've spent hours leafing through the books and have discovered ingredient lists for beers brewed in previous centuries, the hops used, the types of barrels and bottles, and even a list of the actual beers produced centuries ago.'  But the new brew is not totally authentic, Father Stautemas admitted, only using selected brewing methods from the old manuscripts. 'I don't think people now would like the taste of the beer made back then,' he said. 'In those times, regular beer was a bit tasteless, it was like liquid bread,' The abbey's new master brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon explained. But the revived beer is brewed with all-natural ingredients, in wooden barrels and using the unique local soil.  'What we really learned was that the monks then kept on innovating,' Father Stautemas said. 'They changed their recipe every 10 years.' But the monk warned beer fans not to overdo it with his potent brew.  'One or two is okay,' Mayor Selleslagh added.  The dozen monks at the abbey will produce 1 million litres (1,760,000 pints) of the popskull beer every year. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150... Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami... after glam women made a rookie maritime... How Meghan's biggest cheerleader brokered Harry's disastrous BBC interview - three months after... Woman dead and three others including a child injured after car ploughed into pedestrians: Man, 49,... 'It's a rather giant f*** you.' 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Medieval Belgian beer recipe rises phoenix-like from the ashesCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}} The content that you are looking for is not available at this address This may be due to an internal fault or an error when typing Try getting in touch with our support service or looking for it using the search function but at the recreational airfield in Grimbergen (Flemish Brabant) they are eager not to miss out and have already conducted tests with an electric plane The first electric plane to touch down at Grimbergen airfield was a single-engine training plane built by Slovenian aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel Demonstration pilot Robin Moons flew the plane over from Antwerp as the aircraft was not developed for that The two-seater can stay in the air for maximum 1 hour "The flying range marks the big difference between electric flying and flying with conventional fuel," explains Robin Moons "A similar aircraft using fuel can easily fly for 5 hours This aircraft was developed with the main purpose of serving as a teaching aircraft It offers the same comfort and is quite a bit quieter." The arrival of this electric aircraft at Grimbergen airport is just the beginning "We need to keep up with the evolution of this aircraft," says Grimbergen airfield chairman René Van Campenhout "The EU has already banned some types of petrol Electric flying is currently the only alternative We want to be able to properly assess the differences we see differences to the propulsion and the wheels of this type of aircraft are also smaller That means the aircraft acts differently on grass and we have to take that into account." Grimbergen airfield’s secretary also sees possibilities for the future: "We hope to use this type of aircraft as a teaching aircraft trainees starting to fly mainly practise touch-and-gos i.e Around the airport special emission reduction zones are also currently being demarcated An electric aircraft has no emissions and makes little noise "We definitely want to make electric flying possible but we are not there just yet” says chairman Van Campenhout which also develops charging stations for electric aircraft we want to use solar cells to generate our own energy so that in the future we fly as energy-neutral as possible We are also preparing an application to get approval from the aviation administration to integrate this type of electric aircraft into our training."