When the nuns at Maredret Abbey in Belgium had to raise funds for much-needed renovation work, they turned to an occupation that for hundreds of years had been exclusive to monks: brewing beer. .
Founded in 1893, this 20-member Benedictine community decided about five years ago that it was time to partner with a brewery to produce a beer steeped in their history and values, while helping to repair leaky roofs and the cracked walls of his convent.
After almost three years of collaboration with the brewer and importer John Martin, in the summer, Maredret Altus, a 6.8% amber beer with cloves and juniper berries, and Maredret Triplus, an 8% blonde that incorporates coriander, went on sale. and sage.
“It’s good for your health. Helps digestion. All the sisters like beer, after all we are in Belgium ”, says Sister Gertrude, adding that the nuns allow themselves a bottle every Sunday.
The beers are based on spelled, a grain mentioned in the texts of Saint Hildegard, an 11th century German Benedictine abbess who has inspired the Belgian order, along with plants that are commonly grown in the nuns’ garden.
Edward Martin, head of distillation and great-grandson of the founder of the brewery, says that current production is 300,000 bottles a year and that it will increase to about 3 million in a couple of years. Outside of Belgium, it is already sold in Italy and Spain.
Abbey beers, which involve the payment of royalties by the brewery in exchange for using its name, are common in Belgium, but until now only those that house monks.
Maredret Abbey is just one kilometer from its male counterpart, Maredsous Abbey, whose beer, brewed by Duvel, is widespread.
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