The microbrewery will focus on crafting limited-edition batches of premium beers. Credit: Carlsberg Breweries A/S.

Grimbergen has obtained formal approval to build a microbrewery inside Grimbergen Abbey near Brussels in Belgium.

The microbrewery will craft limited-edition beer batches.

“We’ve really enjoyed reading more about past brewing traditions in the pages of these ancient texts.”

Subprior at the abbey Father Karel Stautemas will be involved in the microbrewery and support Master Brewer Marc-Antoine Sochon. Stautemas will also undertake formal brewing training.

Grimbergen Abbey Father Karel Stautemas said: “Beer has always been part of life in the abbey and we are proud of the beers we have today. We’ve really enjoyed reading more about past brewing traditions in the pages of these ancient texts.

“We’ve spent hours leafing through the books, which are written in Latin and Old Dutch and have discovered ingredient lists for beers brewed in previous centuries, the hops used, the types of barrels and bottles, and even a list of the actual beers produced centuries ago.

“This new knowledge adds to our brewing heritage and I’m really looking forward to combining this with my training to revive brewing at Grimbergen Abbey. We will continue to study further to learn more of the book’s undiscovered secrets.”

During the launch event, Grimbergen unveiled a limited-edition beverage called Grimbergen Triple D’Abbaye.

The microbrewery will include a visitor centre, which will be opened late next year.

Existing Grimbergen beers include Blonde, Blanche and Double-Ambrée.