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Grimbergen is a brand of beer first brewed in the abbey of the same name in present-day Belgium in 1128. Today the brand is owned by the Carlsberg brewing company and is represented by several varieties of Belgian ale. It is produced according to authentic recipes of monks and supplied to more than fifty countries of the world.
The high quality of Grimbergen today is confirmed by the awards of the international competition World Beer Awards-2018, where the beer brands Blonde, Blanche, Double Ambree received gold and two silver awards in their style categories. Since 2013, Baltika Brewing Company has been the exclusive importer of Grimbergen intoxicating drinks in Russia.
Historical information
Premonstratensian monks founded an abbey in the village of Grimbergen in 1120. Eight years later, a brewery started operating here, which functioned with forced interruptions until the end of the 1830th century. For the first seven centuries of its history until XNUMX, when the monastery was closed, the abbey was devastated many times, but each time it was reborn in the same place.
In 1629, the Phoenix bird appeared on the coat of arms of the monastery, which is present today on the label of Grimbergen beer. The mythological creature and the motto “Burn without burning” symbolized the constant rebirth of the monastery and all outbuildings (including the brewery) from the ashes after any tragic events.
The new birth of Grimbergen beer took place in 1958, when Maes Brewery approached the monks of the abbey with a proposal to produce an intoxicating drink under the Grimbergen brand in their brewery. After 20 years, production was transferred to Brasserie Union, and in 2007 to Brouwerij van Alken. Grimbergen is currently brewed at Kronenbourg’s facilities in France.
How to drink Grimbergen ale
The keepers of the composition and secrets of the abbey beer have developed a certain ritual that allows you to fully experience the features and taste of the ancient beer.
- Beer is served chilled to 7-8ºC.
- For better disclosure of the aroma, it is poured into a clean, dry glass of a special semicircular shape.
- The glass is held at an angle of 45º and half filled from the bottle.
- With a firm smooth movement, the glass is returned to a vertical position so that the foam 2 centimeters high reaches the edge of the glass.
For each variety of Grimbergen, the manufacturer recommends certain snacks.
Types of Grimbergen beer
Grimbergen Blonde, 6,7%
Pale abbey ale of golden hue with a stable and dense cream-colored head. The aroma is dominated by floral and fruity notes with spicy nuances of cloves. Intense taste of fruit range – apple, orange, peach with a hint of honey and hops. The drink is good with seafood, cheeses, game.
Grimbergen Double-Amber, 6,5%
A dark, double-fermented beer with a rich amber color and creamy head. The aroma is sweet with palpable hints of caramel, prunes, chocolate and roasted malt. The taste of the drink is balanced bittersweet with hints of dried fruits. It is combined with fried meat, fatty dishes, cheese.
Grimbergen Blanche, 6,0%
Wheat light beer with gentle and rich foam. The aroma contains spicy notes of coriander, cloves, bergamot and sweet citrus fruits. The taste is rich malty with unobtrusive fresh sourness. This variety of “Grimbergen” is suitable for light snacks, fish, white meat, hard cheeses.
Grimbergen Rouge, 6,0%
A fruity beer with a rich ruby hue with a pinkish-cream head. Distinguished by the berry aroma of raspberries, cranberries, strawberries with contrasting notes of cloves. The bittersweet taste goes well with fruits, light desserts, soft cheeses.
