In the year 1128 St. Norbert built an abbey for the Norbertine order in the Brabant town of Grimbergen. Apart from observing their contemplative and religious tasks the friars applied themselves to the art of brewing. The abbey was known for its hospitality and provided a safe shelter for pilgrims and travellers in those often tumultuous times. The Norbertines underlined their hospitality by serving their home-brewed beer. The recipe was formulated with great care and precision. Throughout the centuries the friars passed on the recipe to the next generation. The high-fermentation Grimbergen beers are now brewed by Alken-Maes with quite as much attention to tradition and quality. The Grimbergen Abbey was destroyed several times by fire, but each time it was rebuilt again. The phoenix symbolises this resurgence. The secret of Grimbergen beer was also preserved and is still cherished.
Grimbergen is a beer filled with passion.

Product specifications:
BLONDE
The first-rate raw materials constitute the riches of this blonde high-fermentation beer. Alc. 6.7 % vol.
Flavour: Ochre-coloured abbey beer, light fruit, good balance between sweet and bitter and a full, rounded flavour.

DUBBEL
several malts and double fermentation.
Alc. 6.5 % vol.
Flavour: An abbey beer, Burgundy in colour, very full bitter-sweet flavour with hints of caramel.

TRIPEL
The pale malts give this tripel its deep colour.
Alc. 9% vol.
Flavour: Amber-coloured abbey beer, with a crisp, very full bitter-sweet flavour and a lingering aftertaste. The typically crisp Tripel flavour is caused by the blonde candy sugar and the subtle mixture of mild and bitter hops. The rich flavours obtain their perfect harmony owing to the continued fermentation after bottling.

OPTIMO BRUNO
Dark amber-coloured beer, originally brewed as an Easter beer but now available throughout the year.
Alc. 10% vol.
Flavour: Very full bitter-sweet flavour. Its great density gives this beer a full, sweet and powerful alcoholic aftertaste. The double fermentation creates a perfect balance between hops and malt.

CUVEE DE L'ERMITAGE
This high-fermentation beer has a clear, light and warm brown-red colour. The rich and pleasantly fruity aroma has slight hints of caramel.
Alc. 7.5% vol.
Flavour: The rounded flavour is strengthened by a strong but pleasant bitterness.

GRIMBERGEN GOLD 8°
This is a strong blonde beer, full of character with tertiary fermentation in the bottle yet still very accessible.
Alc. 8% vol.
Taste: The traditional Grimbergen recipe is enriched here trough the use of aromatic hops, which gives the beer its refined bitterness and hoppy character. The result is a refreshingly strong blonde beer.

Serving hints:
Grimbergen Blond - Dubbel - Optimo Bruno - Cuvée de l'Ermitage:

• Store the bottles at 6°C.
• Pour into a degreased, dry glass, making sure the bottle does not touch the foam.
• Pour slowly and carefully to create a fine large head.
• Put the glass and bottle on the appropriate coasters.

Grimbergen Tripel:

• Store beers undergoing a second fermentation after bottling standing up at 6-10°C.
• Pour into a degreased, dry glass, making sure the bottle does not touch the foam.
• Pour the beer carefully, leaving the yeast on the bottom of the bottle.
• Put the glass and bottle on appropriate coasters.

Grimbergen Gold 8°:

• Drink Grimbergen Gold 8° at 5 to 7 °C with a large head in the special glass and leave the last 1 cm in the bottle (yeast).

Grimbergen is a contemporary abbey beer, the outcome of passion and authenticity, whose roots go back to medieval abbey life. The traditional values have been translated into a contemporary context: unrestrained passion, knowledge, sincerity.

http://www.alken-maes.be/GRIMBERGEN/

Een Grimbergen kent geen haast.
Une Grimbergen. Le reste, plus tard.