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GRIMBERGEN, Belgium, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

State-of-the-art Grimbergen Abbey Brewery brings together almost 900 years of

brewing tradition with the best of new-world brewing techniques

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.

Marc-Antoine, 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, a great celebration for the Fathers, 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."

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.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1518925/Grimbergen.jpg

Source: Grimbergen