Ever since its foundation in 1134, the Averbode Abbey – situated on the borders of the Kempen and Hageland – has been a crossroads of worlds. For centuries on end the abbey has been connecting spiritual life with an engagement focussed on the broader society. Even today it remains a place of silence and reflection for many people. The abbey community embraces values such as authenticity and harmony and has a long tradition of sustainable production of food and drinks. The abbey housed a bakery, cheese dairy and brewery for many centuries. And up until today the abbey’s dairy farm contributes to sustainable agriculture. The abbey community has decided to let history revive with the launch of a basket of qualitative products: bread, cheese and beer. The sales revenues will be used for philanthropic projects, educational publications with a social added value and heritage projects in Averbode. The abbey wishes that the brand name Averbode Abbey stands for tasteful, traditional and healthy products and therefore has carefully selected the partner companies La Lorraine Bakery Group, Milcobel and Brewery Huyghe. Just like the abbey, these companies hold sustainability and authenticity in high esteem. Inspired and chastened by a long abbey tradition the basket with food and drinks brings people together to enjoy a unique taste experience and to live a moment of harmony.

The Averbode Abbey appointed Brewery Huyghe as its partner to brew Averbode Abbey beer. Just like the Averbode Abbey has a rich and long tradition, the family brewery Huyghe also can look back on a glorious history, where tradition and authenticity are kept in high esteem. These values were also confirmed when Brewery Huyghe joined the Belgian Family Brewers.

 But also in terms of sustainability both parties have a common ground: Brewery Huyghe is the only brewer in Belgium with a beer in its portfolio that is fair trade, gluten free and organic at the same time. Moreover, all recent investments at the brewery were aimed at bringing down the carbon footprint of the production process. And Brewery Huyghe also pays special attention to social employment: all carton boxes – used for export – are folded in a sheltered workshop. Respect for the neighbourhood, environment, society and sustainable use of raw materials are an integral part of the brewery’s business model.

 The ‘new’ Averbode Abbey beer will be an homage and revaluation of history, as from the 14th until the 20th century there were brewing activities in the abbey and several brewages were made (Camerbier and Cleynbier). And although the brewery holds history in high esteem, the brewing installation on the other hand is state of the art and can be regarded as one of the most advanced in Belgium. Briefly, with the creation of the Averbode Abbey beer, tradition will meet top technology.