affligem brewery visit

Brewing for nearly 1000 years

The original craft beer. We have so much history that when we were founded by monks in 1074 the earth was still thought to be flat. We’ve never stopped developing our craft-for 1000 years. Taste it in every drop of our rich & smooth golden Belgian ale. Brewed together. Best enjoyed together.

Discover our Beers

We've tirelessly brewed for 1000 years though our brewers are still using the odd illuminated manuscript that has been developed by the monks in that time. But that didn’t stop us from developing our signature rich Belgian taste, continually refined and improved upon. We have something for everyone; so try our full range, from our rich & smooth Blond to our intense Tripel.

Our Brewing Process

Beer like ours doesn’t just happen. It takes near limitless passion, and dedication from our brewers; working together to respect our ancient recipes, while adapting to all the techniques of modern brewing. It’s kept us one of the top, and most awarded, Belgian beers-maintaining a 1000 year tradition of brewing excellence.

The Monks of Affligem

Everyone likes a good origin story. Ours dates back to 1074, when six knights became monks, tired of the hectic world of the Early Medieval Period and started an abbey. Water at the time wasn’t the best, so they thoughtfully, and very politely, started to brew beer for their guests (which was a safer alternative). Today the monks are still closely involved in every initiative taken on their beer - as a true quality keepers of our beer.

Discover our history

Enjoy Affligem beer responsibly

Affligem beer © copyright 2023 all rights reserved

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Affligem – The Best Kept Secret in Belgium

• February 7, 2020
• / Blog Post     Reviews
• / By Matt Smith
• / 2 COMMENTS

Affligem is one of my all-time favourite beers, and though it can be difficult to find in England it’s certainly worth hunting out!

I make no secret of the fact that I am a Belgian beer fan, and I am well aware that this puts me into a category filled with overweight men with large beards. I don’t care. These are my people. I’m not sure whether you HAVE to go to Belgium to truly appreciate Belgian beer, but I know that a trip to Brussels in 2015 converted me.

In Britain, we certainly have a fine beer tradition. We have thousands of breweries, we have some of the best beer festivals in the world , we drink more beer than most countries. We have some of the best beer writers, and most of our literature, music, and film have been inspired by or created thanks to beer.

English Beer vs Belgian Beer

But Belgium takes things to a different level. Every beer has its own glass, every glass is perfectly designed for that beer. No bar in Belgium would serve a Tripel Karmeliet in a Leffe glass. Each beer has a history, many beers are served in a way that has been unchanged for a hundred years.

Consider this the next time you receive a Guinness inside a Fosters glass in your local Wetherspoons. One of the problems with most Belgian beers is their strength and their powerful flavours. Most beers are around 6-8% and some trappist beers can be much higher. This can put a lot of people off, and I really don’t blame them.

Most beers are very low in alcohol and are designed to be drunk in quantity. Going out and having five to six pints of real ale or lager is going to get you drunk, but you shouldn’t be too bad the next morning. Drink six pints of Westmalle Tripel (9.5%) and you are going to need to take a couple days off to recover.

Belgian beers are not designed to be drunk in large volumes, they are designed for people to have one or two while eating. Or if they are drunk without food, they are there to be drunk at a leisurely pace. It really is all about the experience, which is why drinking it from the right glass is so important to me.

How Times have Changed

It has taken me a long time to acclimatise myself to Belgian beers, when I first tried them, I absolutely detested the strong powerful flavours. I remember having a Delerium Tremens beer when I was 18, it tasted like nothing I’d ever tried before and at 8.5% it led to levels of inebriation I had never experienced from a single bottle of beer.

As my tastes have changed, my appreciation for Belgian beer has grown and grown. Belgian beer is not something I drink all the time, it is an occasional choice, but always enjoyable. But what beer would I recommend for the Belgian Beer Novices among you?

Affligem, the Belgian beer for people who don’t like Belgian beer.

Affligem, A Brief History

Amazingly, the history of Affligem beer begins in 1074 with the founding of an Abbey in the Belgian town of Affligem by six Belgian Knights. Ten years later the Abbey was completed, and the Knights-turned-monks turned their attentions to brewing beer . This is where the recipes for Affligem Blonde, Affligem Tripel, Dubbel, and many other beers would have come from.

Sadly, Belgium has been through a turbulent few centuries since 1074, with several wars fought within its borders. The abbey was destroyed by soldiers twice, most famously when William of Orange raised it to the ground in 1580. Both times it was rebuilt by the monks. The abbey continued to make beer until WWII when German soldiers removed the copper kettles that the monks used to brew.

In 1956 the monks were able to begin brewing again, using the same recipes that they had used for centuries. If you look at a bottle of Affligem, you can see a date (1074), this is when the Abbey was founded and the beer that you are drinking is very similar to that very first beer made almost 1,000 years ago.

See, its this type of history that craft beers just can’t compete with. It is why drinking Belgian beer is so enjoyable for me. There is a sense of occasion, a feeling of tradition and culture. Plus, it tastes awesome.

Is Affligem a Trappist Beer?

This is an understandable mistake to make. Belgium is famous for its Trappist beers, which are beers made by Trappist monks following very specific rules and are steeped in tradition and culture. Affligem ticks almost every single box except that the monks are Benedictine rather than Trappist.

Another key difference is that Trappist beers have to be brewed on the premises while Affligem is brewed in a brewery. This allows it to be mass-produced in a way that Trappist beers are not. Affligem is actually an Abbey Beer.

Reasons to Drink Affligem

Affligem is not my favourite Belgian beer, but it is right up there. However, I think that Affligem is the perfect Belgian beer for people who don’t like Belgian beer! While it is quite high in alcohol (the Affligem Blond is 6.8%) it has a lovely colour, a strong citrus aftertaste, and high carbonation . Served cold and in a proper Affligem glass this beer should convert most non-Belgian beer drinkers pretty fast!

One interesting tradition that seems specific to Affligem is to serve the beer in a glass. With a smaller glass on the side. This glass is specifically used to pour the yeast from the bottom of the bottle into. If you’ve ever had a beer with yeast at the bottom. You’ll know that the last bit of the bottle is usually poured away or accidentally poured into the beer.

This tiny glass collects the yeast and then is served beside the actual beer. You can decide whether to drink the yeast separately, pour the yeast into the glass, or toss the yeast away. A bit of a funny ritual, but I now own my very own yeast glass and have used it. To be honest, there was very little yeast in my beer. So it was quite a waste of money! But I still love it.

According to this Belgian website , Affligem can be used in cooking too. Perfect mixed in with a beef-based stew. The idea of pouring one of the best Belgian beers into a stew sets my teeth on edge. But deep down I know that it would go excellently. Beer is an underused ingredient in cooking in my opinion.

About the Author Matt Smith

Matt Smith is the owner of Beer N Biceps. He has a degree in Sports Science, 10 years of experience working in the fitness industry, and has written for hundreds of fitness websites. He is a lover of good quality beer and believes that drinking in moderation can form part of a healthy lifestyle.

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I have to say afligem is one of my favourite beers as well. I found it and tried it in torp form, useable with the sub beer machine from Krups. Amazing to pour it on tap on your own home. It is available from beerwulf website. It does go out of stock regularly though, so I think the secret is out!

Not sure I could trust myself with one of those! I’ve definitely had a look at the Krups sub though, particularly with it being on sale.

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To Brussels with Affligem: What Can We Learn from Belgian Beer?

For one reason or another, British drinking habits just don’t seem to align with those on the continent. You’ve all had someone from France or Netherlands roll their eyes at you downing a pint of bitter – whether they’re an acquaintance or not. Rather than trying to fit in two pints before closing time, many in mainland Europe prefer smaller, more flavourful and usually stronger brews which come with the perfect amount of head. (Three fingers, if you’re asking.) So to build bridges, we headed to Brussels with Belgium’s oldest ‘abbey beer’ brewer, Affligem, to see what we could learn about beer from the Belgians.

Abbey Beers in Belgium

Ignoring the obscenely early start at St Pancras International, our trip in Belgium began at the place where ‘abbey beer’ itself began, Affligem Abbey (pronounced ‘aff-le-hem’ ). If you’re not familiar with the abbey beer concept, it’s exactly as it sounds; Beers that originated or are still currently brewed at non-Trappist monasteries – usually Benedictine, as was Affligem. It was simply a way for monasteries to earn a living to upkeep their places of worship. Though, of course, they did enjoy a tipple too.

There’s no set rules to abbey beers and the styles do range from monastery to monastery, but they are usually brown ales (dubbels), strong pale ales (tripels), or blondes. And though we’re assured 6.8% ABV is fairly easy going, for us philistines in the UK, we’d say they’re generally pretty strong too. This is Belgium after all.

So before we talk beer, first it’s time for a history lesson. Founded somewhere around 1062, Affligem Abbey brewed its first beer in 1074 and thus lays claim to being the oldest of its kind in the country. There’s also plenty of famous figures who have a connection to the Abbey such as GSCE History’s Henry VIII, Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and even the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. But we digress…

The Abbey has been through plenty of changes over the years, mainly thanks to wars and military takeovers, and brewing has been put on hold throughout Affligem’s fascinating history. Nowadays the Abbey is a fully functioning place of worship for resident nine monks and beer is brewed off-site in nearby Opwijk.

Affligem Abbey

After a quick tour from Affligem Abbey expert and all-round lovely man Ben – including looking through the Abbey Library and a book from 1544 which records some of the earliest forms of hop harvesting and beer making – we then sat down for prayers with the fathers. After thirty minutes of chanting in Dutch, we headed to the great hall where we had lunch with the monks in complete silence. It was a surreal experience but not an uncomfortable one. Beer and salmon was served with a backdrop of recorded chanting filling the room. Monks do eat chocolate mousse for dessert in case you were wondering…

Finally, we then sat down with one of the monks for a quick chat. At 93 years old, Father Paul has been living at Affligem Abbey for an unimaginable 75 years. With only 10 days ‘holiday’ a year, the Abbey is all-encompassing with prayers filling most of the day. We won’t confess to know nearly enough about Benedictine traditions but it was a genuine privilege to spend some time with the Fathers of Affligem who must find the idea of five British bloggers in search of strong beer more than confusing.

Affligem Brouwerij

Now it was time to taste some beers at the Affligem brewery. Though beers were originally brewed on site at the Abbey, they have since been licensed to the Op-Ale brewery in Opwijk under the Affligem Abbey name. It’s since been taken over by Heineken, so unfortunately there are no monks in black robes sterilising copper kettles here but all beers and branding ideas are signed off the Abbey to ensure the name isn’t used in vain. Affligem is now available all over the world with the biggest markets being in Belgium, France and Netherlands.

We were taken around the site by Brewery Manager, Wouter Hollevoet, and while we’re not going to go into the mechanics of brewing – chances are you know the score by now – what we will say is that Affligem’s story is something the brewery is clearly very proud of. As they should be. There’s undoubtedly a place for crafts in the beer market, but a product with a genuine story should always be cherished. Affligem comes with 1,000 years-worth of brewing expertise and profits are used by the monks to maintain their under-threat way of life. As for the beers? They’re superb.

Affligem Beer Range

Affligem’s core range consists of a crisp 6.8% Blonde, a rich 6.8% Double and a malty 9% Triple, which are all characterised by the Affligem yeast added during the fermentation process. To get to know them ever better, we were whisked away to a tasting dinner at Pré de Chez Nous in the centre of Brussels, hosted by famous Belgian beer sommelier, Sofie Vanrafelghem .

Sofie paired two different dishes with each of Affligem’s beers to illustrate their soft fruitiness and balanced bitterness, and to also demonstrate that wine isn’t the only drink menu we should be looking for at a restaurant. Of course, we all know just how well meat can go with beers, but the biggest surprise for us was just how well balanced a pairing of beer and seafood can be. Our smooth and almost tropical Affligem Blonde was the perfect accompaniment for salmon & cabbage, while our slightly bitter and citrusy Affligem Triple was the ideal partner for some sweet prawns with tomato.

What Can Brits Learn from Belgian Beers?

We may have only had less than 24 hours in the country but we certainly feel like we came back from Belgian better Joes. Not only can we say we enjoyed a beer with some Benedictine monks – something we will be dining out on for years – we also witnessed dedication and commitment to a cause we can only dream of. But we did also learn a thing or two about beer too.

It’s easy to get swept up in the Affligem story, but our weekend was much more than just quality beer. It was about drinking culture as a whole. While we highly doubt it’s the end of sessions at the local, we do think we’ll be far more adventurous about our choices in future – at the pub and at the restaurant. For that, we thank you Affligem .

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Country: Belgium

Website: Visit

Added By: Jeroen On March 18, 2017 08:58

The year is 1074. In a time of kings, conflict and cruelty, six Belgian knights decide to exchange their swords for monk’s robes and dedicate their lives to peace. Believing in the dignity of work, the repentant knights establish a monastic order under the adage ‘Felix Concordia’, meaning happy in harmony. 

Their first task? To build an abbey in the Belgian town of Affligem…

Ten years later, the battle-scarred monks complete their abbey. They immediately set out to brew the one beverage safer to drink than medieval water: ale. But not just any ale. Behind the hallowed walls of their newly built abbey, the monks begin to brew Affligem beer.

For centuries, the abbey flourishes while the monks enjoy peaceful lives. Little did they know, war was looming…

The following centuries are full of conflict.

First, the abbey is destroyed during the Succession War. Then, in 1580, the troops of William of Orange raze the structure to the ground. Both times, the monks patiently rebuild their abbey.

Against all odds, the memory of the abbey survives. In 1887, it’s restored to its former glory by two monks unwilling to give up.

But during World War II, disaster strikes again. The abbey’s copper kettles are stolen by the German army, and for 15 years, not a single drop of Affligem is drunk.

In 1956, Father Tobias feels forced to make a historic decision…

Rarely written down, beer recipes are normally handed over from brother to brother. But after World War II, Father Tobias decides to pass his Formula Antiqua Renovata on to an independent brewer.

Thanks to Father Tobias’ decision, Affligem’s brewing traditions live on. A range of beautiful beers, steeped in history, can be enjoyed to this day.

At Affligem, we still work together with a group of monks, ensuring the abbey’s 1000-year history continues. We also represent the monks’ story in our logo. Depicting the sword of Saint Paul and the cross keys of Saint Peter, the logo symbolises Affligem’s knightly and monastic traditions.

From the brewing process to the bottle you hold in your hands, Affligem is steeped in history.

Postel Tripel

• Style: Abbey , Belgian Style
• Alcohol Content: 8.5%
• Global Rating:

Postel Blond

• Alcohol Content: 7%

• Style: Belgian Style
• Alcohol Content: 5%

• Style: Belgian Style , Dark Strong Ale

Leeuwse Witte

• Style: Belgian Style , Witbier

Hotteuse Grand Cru

• Alcohol Content: 8%

Florival Winter

• Alcohol Content: 9%

Florival Tripel

• Style: Belgian Style , Tripel

Affligem Cuvée Natalis

• Style: Amber , Belgian Style

Affligem Cuvée Carmin

• Style: Amber , Fruit Beer
• Alcohol Content: 5.2%

Affligem Cuvée Florem

• Alcohol Content: 6.7%

Affligem 1074

• Style: Abbey , Belgian Style , Blond
• Alcohol Content: 6.8%

Affligem Tripel

Affligem Cuvée des Pères

Affligem Noël

Affligem 950 Cuvee

Affligem Dubbel

Affligem Blond

‘n Seule

• Alcohol Content: 5.5%

Postel Kerstbier

• Style: Abbey , Belgian Style , Christmas

Postel Dobbel

• Style: Abbey , Belgian Style , Dubbel

GB Special Amber

Florival Bruin

• Style: Belgian Style , Dubbel

Florival Blond

• Style: Belgian Style , Blond

• Alcohol Content: 5.1%

Delhaize Wit Bier

Celis Raspberry

Celis Pale Bock

Brouwketel christmas bier

• Alcohol Content: 0%

Abbaye de Brogne Blond

Abbaye de Brogne Brune

Boxer Christmas Beer

Abbaye d’Aulne Triple

Abbaye d’Aulne Super Noel

Abbaye d’Aulne Blond

Abbaye d’Aulne Superbe 10

• Alcohol Content: 10%

Abbaye d’Aulne Selection 8

Abbaye d’Aulne 6

• Alcohol Content: 6%

Affligem Christmas Ale

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Affligem Triple now brewed with Belgian hops

Affligem Triple beer is now brewed with hops grown in Affligem (Flemish Brabant), brewer Alken-Maes announced on Tuesday.

Until this year, the hops had been imported from Germany and the Czech Republic but the Affligem Triple now on sale in stores was brewed in June with the 2021 hop harvest. About 200 kilos were needed for these first brews. This year, Alken-Maes intends to buy some 500 kilos in total.

Several hops are used to make an Affligem Triple, namely Groene Bel, Savinsky Golding or Spalter Select. Alken-Maes buys Groene Bel from the ten hop growers in the region. The whole harvest of the hop growers, who cultivate several varieties, is estimated between 15,000 and 20,000 kilos.

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The region around Affligem, Aalst, and Asse is historically known for its hop production. It was the abbey of Affligem which introduced the crop at the beginning of the 12th century. The quantities cultivated decreased somewhat at the start of the 20th century, but the tradition of hops never entirely died out in the region. In 2017, production gained momentum thanks to strategic projects.

“We are extremely proud to be able to brew again with hops from this historic region,” said Ellen Mertens, brewmaster at Alken-Maes. “We are writing a new chapter in the rich history of Affligem and its beer.”

For now, the hops harvested will only be used to make Affligem Triple, due to insufficient volumes for the preparation of Affligem Blonde.

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The story of Affligem starts nearly 1,000 years ago with six battle scarred knights who, after years of war, grew conflicted between their allegiance to the Roman Emperor and their need to repent and serve God. Transformed by the teachings of the priest of St Peter’s Abbey in Ghent, they downed their weapons to return home with the dream of building an Abbey.

In 1074 with the permission of Anno II, the Archbishop of Cologne, construction of the Abbey began on a hill in Affligem, on the border of Flanders and Brabant. The Abbey church was erected in 1083 and in 1085 the knights became monks of the Benedictine Order, to which the abbey still belongs today.

Affligem was a favourite refuge for Henry I of England and in 1138 he commissioned a major extension to the Abbey but by the time building was complete he was already dead. Henry’s second wife and widow, Adelica of Louvain, became an active patron of the church and spent her final years at Affligem, richly rewarding the Abbey with landed estates. She was buried in the abbey in 1151 next to her father, Duke Godfrey I of Leuven.

With its extensive farmlands, hop gardens and vineyards the Abbey flourished throughout the 12th and 13th centuries. At times there were as many as 200 resident monks and eight more Abbeys were founded in its image. Over the years, farmland, a mill, bakery, dairy and vineyard with their associated cheese, bread and winemaking all played an important part in the life of the Abbey.

The Benedictine Order, which originated in wine loving France, allowed monks to drink some wine, but beer was the local drink so the Affligem monks started brewing and drinking beer. In the early years of the Abbey, ale would have been a practical alternative to drinking contaminated water, a source of nutrition during the forty days of Lent and a means of raising revenue.

The first recorded mention of a brewery at the Abbey is made in 1129. By 1654 the monks were cultivating as many as 6,500 hop pits and Affligem beer had become well-known for its quality. Production methods and recipes were passed from brother to brother but rarely written down so the original recipe for Affligem remains unknown.

Unfortunately the Abbey’s hilltop border location proved strategic in battles spanning six centuries. Peace at Affligem was first disrupted at the end of the 14th century when the Abbey was attacked and destroyed during the Succession War between Flanders and Brabant and the monks were forced into exile. Affligem was restored, but faced destruction again in 1580 through the actions of the troops of William I, Prince of Orange.

Once again, in 1621, the monks rebuilt the monastery and the 17th century was prosperous with Rubens the celebrated painter commissioned in 1634 to paint a magnificent altarpiece depicting Christ falling with the Cross for the Abbey’s high altar. This monumental work, The Road to Calvary, is over 18 feet high and Rubens painted himself as a Roman officer. Today it hangs in the Musees Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique in Brussels.

War visited the Abbey again at the beginning of the 18th century when it was transformed into a soldiers’ garrison and the monks were forced to reside in the Abbey’s library by the battle hungry Sun King, Louis XIV.

In November 1796, the French state, still on a roll after the revolution and determined to destroy Catholicism, confiscated the wealth of all abbeys and churches and demanded their closure. Affligem’s land, property and precious art works were auctioned, the Abbey’s 33 monks expelled and forced to flee, scattered from the region.

Forty years later, two of the exiled monks were reunited in a Benedictine Abbey in Dendermonde in the East of Flanders and between them determined to buy back what remained of the Abbey buildings. In 1868, they returned with two of the other surviving monks acquiring 80 acres of land. By 1885 they had started brewing again with three copper kettles and by 1887 the Abbey had once again been restored. From this time, despite two World Wars, the Abby brewery remained open until 1940 when Father Tobias, the Abbey’s master brewer, was forced to hand over the brewery’s copper kettles to Nazi troops following the surrender of Belgium in WWII.

This brought about the fifth and final closing of the doors of the Abbey brewery. Affligem beer remained out of production for 15 years until 1956 when Father Tobias started working with De Smedt, a small brewery just 10 kilometres from the Abbey in the small Flemish village of Opwijk, thus securing the future of Affligem beer.

In 1970 the monks handed the Affligem recipe to De Smedt Brewery but continue to work in close association with the brewer to create new beers. The monks remain the brand owners of Affligem beer with Heineken International owning De Smedt Brewery and the distribution rights to the beer. The royalties paid to the monks by Heineken support the running of Affligem and other Benedictine Abbeys.

Originally better known for its Belgian pale ale called Op-Ale beer (launched in 1953), De Smedt Brewery itself was established in 1790.

The monks retain ownership of Affligem beer and must approve changes in brewing and packaging, an example being the change of the shield on the label from red to blue. Catholic artworks traditionally paint the Virgin Mary wearing red, the colour signifying the blood of Jesus. Hence, the monks initially rejected the change. However, in Christianity, blue also has numerous symbolic meanings and due to being the colour of the sky is considered the colour of heaven. Consequently the monks eventually consented to the packaging change.

The Abbey’s coat of arms, a combination of the sword of Saint Paul and the cross keys of Saint Peter, appears embossed on every bottle of Affligem. The symbols represent the means by which the Saints were martyred. Paul was arrested by the Roman emperor Nero Paul and sentenced to death by the sword. If he had not been a Roman citizen he would have been crucified. The not so fortunate Peter is said to have been crucified upside down at his own request, since he considered himself unworthy to be crucified the same way as Jesus Christ. In ecclesiastical heraldry the crossed keys of Saint Peter, represent the keys of heaven.

Affligem beer may no longer be brewed by the Monks of Affligem but it remains very much an abbey ale.

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Affligem Tripel

The Brewery

Strong Blond Abbey Beer of the Tripel Type

The recipe for the Affligem abbey beers is based on the original Formula Antiqua Renovata, an abbey recipe dating back to the middle ages.

The Affligem abbey beers are   brewed   using the highest quality summer-barley malt and aroma hops. An in-house yeast is the ‘soul’ of this beer.

The fermentation process produces esters that give impressions of tropical fruits. Moreover, all Affligem abbey beers re-ferment in the bottle. A 14 days’ stay in the warm room ensures the brews mature into complex, layered beers.

The result? A strong top-fermented beer, blond to amber in colour, with a beautiful balance between hops and malt. Besides Affligem Tripel the range includes Affligem Blond, Affligem Dubbel, Affligem Cuvée and Affligem Patersvat.

Fermentation

Top-fermented with re-fermentation in the bottle.

Ingredients

Water, yeast,   summer-barley malt , coloured malt, Savinsjki Golding and Spalter Select aroma hops.

Colour & Transparency

An exquisite golden-blond beer with slight pearlisation and a compact, creamy head of froth.

Serving Temperature

8 – 10°C / 46-50°F

Serving Glass

The serving of the Affligem abbey beers is accompanied by a unique pouring ritual, with the yeast being served in a separate, dedicated glass. Part of the degustation set is a ‘premium service’ tray containing an elegant, high-stemmed tasting chalice and a small yeast glass.

Character, Tastes & Aromas

A mild malty aroma with intense aromas of ripe fruit (banana) reaching the nose. The initial taste is slightly sweet with nuances of stone fruits (apricots, peaches) and citrus.

This is emphasized by the in-bottle re-fermentation, that evolve towards a pleasantly refreshing bitterness.

A richly layered beer that tastes full in the mouth. It is exquisitely balanced in view of its high alcohol content. A long, slightly bitter finish.

Delicious with foie gras, rabbit… or add a dash of Affligem Tripel to a roux-based soup, a hearty soup of brown beans or lentils, an oxtail soup or a rustic game broth to intensify the taste.

It works well in sauces accompanying fish, crustaceans and shellfish.

Thanks to its full and rounded taste, this tripel makes a perfect pairing with stews using beef or game accompanied by a compote of dates, raisins, prunes, figs or apricots.

Keeping and Storage

Affligem Tripel can be stored in the bottle for up to 24 months. On tap the beer will keep for six to nine months.

The beer is not meant to be left "ageing" in a cellar for years; the brewery ensures it comes to market when perfect to drink. Keep your bottles upright and store in dark, cool and dry place.

Availability

Bottle   ✔         On Tap   ✔

Available bottled (30 cl) and on tap (20 l, 30 l). The   Affligem brewery   is part of Alken-Maes; they are a large brewery group and export their beers worldwide. You should therefore have no trouble getting hold of some Affligem Tripel outside of Belgium.

In Belgium it is even easier, many supermarkets and   specialised beer shops   stock it and you will find plenty of cafés which serve Affligem Tripel.

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Shop from our colourful and durable collection of beer signs , all with a vintage aged patina so they will look great in any home, or man cave or garden bar. With four pre-drilled holes, these high-quality retro style metal signs are easy to hang on any wall and are the perfect gift for any beer lover. Multi-buy discount applied in cart with worldwide shipping available.

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A visit to... Affligem

The Affligem brewery dates back as early as 1074, when a group of Belgian knights seeking redemption made the decision to become monks. The brotherhood became one of the most influential monasteries in the Flanders region, and went on to build an abbey in Affligem, a Belgian municipality northwest of Brussels. Beer quickly became an important source of income for the Belgian abbey as it continued to grow and build its reputation.

The Affligem abbey has seen its fair share of challenges throughout history. In 1129, a huge fire struck the abbey, then it was further devastated in the fourteenth century during the war between Flanders and Brabant. 

The Affligem brewery was also hit badly by the world wars.  In 1917, the Germans dismantled Affligem’s tanks to take the copper, thus stopping all production. WWII also halted the brewery’s activity, but this was later resumed.  In 1956, Elder Tobias decided to entrust the Affligem recipe to Hertog, a secular and independent brewer. And since 1970, Affligem beer has been produced in the Affligem brewery in Opwijk, a village near the abbey.

Available at Beerwulf Beers of this brewer

Tripel Beer • 8.5%

Affligem Blond - 2L SUB Keg

Blond Beer • 6.7%

Affligem Blond - 5L Draught Keg

Affligem Dubbel - 2L SUB Keg

Dubbel Beer • 6.8%

The current brewmaster of Affligem believes the best thing about brewing is that it really is still a craft, even when it has been modernised. "You work with natural ingredients, you see the raw materials coming in and a quality beer as the end product. You continue to learn every day and with every day comes beautiful new challenges." 

Affligem Brewery

Thanks to Father Tobias, the Affligem brewery traditions continue today. The brewery has a range of beers, steeped in history. The logo harks back to its humble beginnings, it symbolises the chivalrous and monastic traditions of the Affligem brewery.

Today, all Affligem brewing is done in the brewery of Opwijk (not far from the abbey), under the supervision and control of the monks. It's a good partnership, part of the profits goes to the abbey and the monks control the advertising of it.

Affligem Beer

Affligem beer is brewed from the finest ingredients and two types of barley malt: pale malt, and caramelised malt, which gives Affligem beer a colour ranging from amber to chestnut - depending on the amounts used.

"Our brewery has a tradition of almost 1000 years and we still brew according to the authentic recipe, but with very modern methods," Wouter told us. "The ingredients are very important: hop and malt of the best quality."

The Affligem Dubbel is a very traditional style abbey beer with a red/brown hue. It’s brewed with dark toasted malt and is sweet yet spicy. Affligem Blond, a bronze winner of the Brussels Beer Challenge is a well-balanced, refreshing beer with a hoppy aftertaste. It pairs deliciously with mature cheeses.

The Blond, Dubbel and Tripel are the classic trinity in the Affligem range. They are known for having good balance, or as Wouter says - "not too bitter, not too malty and not too sweet".

Affligem beers are strong, flavourful and brewed in the Belgian tradition. Try drinking the Blond and the Tripel with a plate of cheeses, chicken or poultry. The Dubbel fits deliciously with roasted meat. Or, their beers are perfect if you, like Wouter about two months before our visit, have something to celebrate: "When my son was just born, that was perhaps the best moment to enjoy an Affligem."

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Brouwerij Affligem / De Smedt (Heineken)

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What's Trump doing in Wisconsin? What to know about the former president's visits

Former President Donald Trump has spent considerable time in and out of courtrooms in recent months, leaving little room for him to campaign. But he's made it clear with several visits to the Badger State that Wisconsin is key to a possible victory in November.

Here's why.

What's Trump doing in Wisconsin (again)?

Trump has spent the little time he's had to campaign outside of his various legal proceedings visiting Wisconsin, not once, but twice in the past two months.

The former president held a rally in Waukesha on Wednesday, where he criticized President Joe Biden's handling of southern border security and said that if he returned to the White House, America would see a "Trump economic boom."

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , Trump would not commit to accepting the November election results if Biden won.

"If everything's honest, I'd gladly accept the results," Trump told the Sentinel in an interview on Wednesday. "If it's not, you have to fight for the right of the country.

Last month, Trump made a stop in Green Bay where he again asserted the false claim he won the state in the previous election. His last visit was in August 2022.

How has Trump fared in Wisconsin elections?

Trump lost Wisconsin to Biden in 2020 by less than a one-point margin (49.4% to 48.8%).

In 2016, Trump beat former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by just over one percentage point (47.2% to 46.5%).

More: Joe Biden trails Donald Trump in new national poll on 2024 election

Why is Wisconsin so important in 2024?

Every state will be important in November given how close the two candidates are polling , but Wisconsin especially because of its purple hue.

The battleground state has a history of being the electoral tipping point in presidential elections, sending Trump over to victory, gaining the 270 votes needed with its 10 votes, and doing the same for Biden in 2020.

Biden has made a number of stops in the state since the start of his campaign and the Badger state is expected to see many more motorcade visits before November.

— Sam Woodward is the Minnesota elections reporting fellow for USA Today. You can reach her at [email protected] ,