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The Val-Dieu Abbey Brewery continues to innovate with the launch of its new pilsner, Audas

2024 has been a pivotal year for the Val-Dieu Abbey Brewery, with a wind of change blowing and a strong desire to expand its range. Between the name change of the legendary Cuvée 800 – now known as Val-Dieu Hop – and the remarkable introduction of our ‘Excellence’ range, our brewery has shown that it knows how to combine tradition with an audacious new approach.

And in 2025, there’s no question of slowing down.

As dynamic as ever, our brewery is taking a new step forward with the launch of its pilsner: Audas. A new brand and a new identity, yet the same brewing expertise. A refreshing, honest and unpretentious pilsner that is set to win over all those who love well-crafted simplicity.

A launch worthy of Audas.

To mark this milestone, our brewery organised a grand launch party on Thursday 19 June at La Grand Poste in Liège. More than 600 people — partners, customers, employees and friends of the brand — came to taste Audas in a festive and relaxed atmosphere. With sharing platters, street food, music, laughter and good humour, the Audas spirit was in full swing: simple, authentic and unpretentious. It was a resounding success, launching the new pilsner on what promises to be a great adventure.

Positioning ourselves in a changing market

While beer consumption is declining overall in Belgium and abroad, the pilsner segment remains dominant. It accounts for 70% of the market, compared to 30% for speciality beers. Conversely, speciality beers continue to grow, driven by a trend towards consumers drinking less but better. They favour products with more character, authenticity and originality.

With Audas, our brewery is positioning itself in the historic pilsner segment, offering a distinctive, craft alternative to industrial products. Our goal is clear: to revitalise the pilsner market with an authentic, refreshing beer that boasts true character. A pilsner that combines traditional brewing with modern audacity.

With our range of special beers, our blanche and blanche rosée beers and now our Audas pilsner, we cover all beer styles to satisfy all consumer expectations.

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What is Audas?

Audas is a Belgian craft pilsner that gets straight to the point. A simple, honest and perfectly balanced beer. Just the right amount of bitterness, a lovely freshness and a profile that appeals to everyone.

But Audas is also a state of mind: a beer you drink without thinking about it, share without judging and take with you everywhere. Far from rigid tradition, it invites lightness and spontaneity.

Because sometimes, all it takes is a good pilsner to bring people together.

A true pilsner, brewed in keeping with the purest tradition

Unlike traditional top-fermented speciality beers, Audas is brewed using a more complex and demanding method: bottom fermentation. At a cool temperature of 12 to 15°C, Audas undergoes a slow and rigorous fermentation process lasting four weeks (compared to 15 days for a top fermentation – twice as long as for a speciality beer!), requiring a specific yeast and more thorough filtration to guarantee a perfectly clear beer.

A distinctive taste and unapologetic bitterness

Audas stands out from other pilsners thanks to its taste profile: a frank and powerful bitterness, a far cry from the sweeter, milder profiles that are often found on the market. With an alcohol content of 4.5% (compared to the Belgian average of around 5.5%), it offers a lighter drinking experience without compromising on character.

An ambitious strategy

The launch of Audas is part of a clear strategy: to build the brand in the regional hospitality industry (Province of Liège), focusing on the experience of drinking it on tap, in the right glass – marked with the playful ‘A’ specific to this new brand – in a friendly setting. Audas will also have a stronger presence at major events (sporting, musical, cultural, etc.).

The stated objective is to reach 1,000 hectolitres in the first year, before gradually expanding distribution in Wallonia, Flanders and abroad.

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A brewery that innovates without abandoning its roots

While Val-Dieu is proud of its heritage and its renowned abbey beers, it is nonetheless focused on the future. By launching a brand in its own right such as Audas, our brewery is demonstrating that it is ready to go off the beaten track and explore other ways of brewing, consuming… and experiencing beer.

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L’abbaye fut construite, en 1216, par des moines de l’ordre de Cîteaux. Les moines brassèrent de 1216 à la Révolution Française. Fort heureusement, depuis 1997, les bâtiments de la ferme de l’abbaye sont à nouveau bercés par le ronronnement de la brasserie.

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