L’histoire de l’abbaye de Grimbergen
Depuis 1128, l’abbaye de Grimbergen a été détruite trois fois par le feu lors de guerres et reconstruite par les moines à chaque fois.
Since 1128, Grimbergen Abbey has been destroyed three times by fire during wars, and rebuilt by monks each time.
The phoenix symbolizes this inspiring heritage and the almost nine centuries of Grimbergen brewing know-how.
In 1128, the lords of Grimbergen asked Norbert of Xanten, founder of the Order of the Premonstratensians (or Norbertines) to build an abbey, and he granted their request. Shortly after, in the same year, the monks of Grimbergen Abbey began brewing a local beer.
In 1142, the lords of Grimbergen revolted against the Duke of Brabant. This was the start of the Grimbergen War.
The abbey was completely destroyed, but in the years following the war, it was rebuilt stone by stone.
In 1566, the abbey was destroyed a second time during the wars of religion. The monks took refuge in Brussels and were only able to return 30 years later to reconstitute the community.
In 1629 the abbey was rebuilt in Grimbergen.
From that moment on, the monks and the community decided to adopt the phoenix as a symbol of rebirth in their coat of arms, alongside the motto “ardet nec consumitur”, which means “burns but does not consume”.
Under the august presence of the phoenix, the morale of the monks rose and soon, the Grimbergen beer began to flow freely again.
But a new danger awaited the abbey. In the 18th century, during the French Revolution, all the property of churches and monasteries was sold.
In 1798, the monks had to flee again. And the abbey was destroyed a third time.
Fourth resurrection of Grimbergen, the return of brewing to Grimbergen Abbey in 2021 marks a special chapter in our history.
Creating new, limited edition beers inside the abbey walls for the first time in over 200 years is a great achievement for the monks, for the community of Grimbergen and for everyone who loves Grimbergen beer.
