Grimbergen is as much a favourite amongst Belgian beer drinkers in Britain as it is amongst Belgians themselves. It is currently brewed by the giant Alken-Maes in Jumet, Charleroi, not far from Brussels.
There are numerous beers in the range, but they are all undeniably scrumptious, with their rich, sweet tastes and fruity, sometimes caramel undertones.
It was actually in 1958 that a group of monks made the decision to ask their local Maes brewery to brew beers on their behalf. Prior to that, the monks themselves had overseen the brewing of this fine beer for centuries.
The abbey of Grimbergen is in the village of the same name, north of Brussels. It was established in 1128 by St Norbert, the very founder of what became known as the Norbentine order, originally founded in Premontre, near Rheims.
During the middle-ages Grimbergen Abbey became a safe haven for travellers and pilgrims, who were served the monks’ unique home-grown brew. However hard times befell the abbey in the 1500’s when it was destroyed as a result of local wars. It was rebuilt years later and beer brewing continued throughout the 17th and 18th centuries (there are even mentions of the production of wheat beer there in the 1600’s), until brewing ceased, along with just about everything else, during the French Revolution.
Years later the brewery was re-established, and their beers were sold to a local brewer, now, alas, long gone. Much of the abbey was rebuilt in the 1830’s, and further restored in the 1920’s. The baroque-style Grimbergen Abbey still stands today, although its days of beer brewing are long gone. Grimbergen, that lovely village with streets lined with cherry trees, is now but another suburb of Brussels.
Grimbergen Blonde is perhaps one of the most popular of the range as far as British drinkers are concerned. It is 6.7% alcohol by volume, but has a smooth creamy mouthfeel. A soft, neutral flavour with perhaps a hint of honey, with a somewhat spicy finish. This amber-yellow beer possesses an aroma reminiscent of caramel. A well-balanced brew all in all.
Grimbergen Dubbel, 6.5% abv, is another of those lovely, tasty Belgian beers that is a treat to behold. Its caramel aroma is a prelude to its sweet taste, toffee-ish palate and liquorice undertones. An attractive head of froth conceals this rather wine-line, copper-coloured beer. If there was ever a tasty, full-bodies brew, this is it.
The Tripel version in the range, at 9% abv, is rather more powerful than the Blonde and Dubbel, however the strength does not dominate, for it is craftily concealed by a taste of sweet fruits and hints of malt. This is truly one of the Champaign’s of beers.
This straw beer has a long-lasting aftertaste and a brandy-like bouquet. Be cautious during the pour, because this beer has undergone an additional fermentation in the bottle itself, thus leaving fine sediment. A robust beer with mounds of potential.
Optimo Bruno is the most potent of the Grimbergens, but again, do not feel intimidated by its high alcohol content (10% abv). Simply revel in the sweet, candy-like multiplicity of flavours. Optimo Bruno is dark red amber in colour, with an excellent head of froth and a caramel aroma emerging from the malts. Interestingly, this was originally a lighter-coloured beer brewed exclusively for Easter, but is now available all year round.
Cuvee de L’Hermitage is one of the more exotic Grimbergens. It is a rich, amber beer, though somewhat bitter. A superb beer with a wine-like finish. Grimbergen Special is another “cuvee” of the range. Much darker than L’Hermitage, it is rich and flavoursome. Both L’Hermitage and Special are 7.5% alcohol by volume.
Grimbergen Dark Abbey Ale is one of the most difficult to come by of the range. It has a rich, chocolate taste and a brandyish finish. A well-balanced, burgundy-brown brew with a frothy head. Last but by no means least is Grimbergen Roussa. Sadly this is a limited-edition beer. Despite its mere 6.2% abv, this amber-brown beer has a strong alcohol taste, but is just as succulent as the rest of the Grimbergen beers.
All Grimbergen brews are packaged in chubby bottles with a label displaying a stained-glass window in the form of a phoenix. This was a symbol of the original monastery’s continual “rise from the ashes”. How fortunate we are to still be enjoying this wonderful beer after more than 800 years.