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Things have changed a great deal in a world predominantly dominated by men, as Trappist Abbey breweries have been for the last few decades.
A significant number of women work in these sacred places, in the areas of laboratory, marketing and primarily quality control.
Their prevalence in quality control areas is perhaps due to the widespread belief in Belgium and elsewhere that women possess a more sensitive and developed sense of smell and taste than men, and are therefore better suited for these roles.
Heir by Right
But at the top of the organizational chart, there had never been a woman in charge as head brewer at any Trappist brewery.
That changed in October 2013, when Jean-Marie Rock, the celebrated head brewer of Brasserie d’Orval, at l’Abbaye Notre Dame d’Orval, retired.
But by that point her replacement had already been named a few months earlier: Anne-Françoise Pypaert, director of quality control since 1995 and second in command after Jean-Marie.
In fact, Anne-Françoise was the only woman working at Orval when she was first hired at the end of 1992.
Today there are eight women in total: one in the laboratory, one in research and development, four in the administrative office, one in the cheese factory and one as head brewer. Eight out of a total of 37 workers.
Passionate About Beer
When asked whether Anne-Françoise had ever considered brewing as a career when she began studying Biochemistry in the late 1980s, she replied that she did not think it possible, as brewing was a very male-dominated world at the time.
However, after a few years, while I was still studying for my degree, I began to think it might be possible to find work at a brewery, as things were changing back then. So I focused on applying to breweries and was hired here.
She has never worked anywhere else since graduating from university, which is quite remarkable today.
Although perhaps not so remarkable, considering that Trappist breweries are recognized as good places to work, with generous pay and benefits. Trappist monks take care of their employees.
Remarkably, Anne-Françoise only tried Orval beer for the first time a couple of days before her initial interview at the brewery. She remarks with a smile:
I liked it from the start, as I have always been a beer lover. I tell everyone that women also enjoy Orval and other bitter beers. I like fighting against the perception that women only like sweet beers.
Training and Responsibilities at Orval
Anne-Françoise studied at the Institut Meurice in Brussels, now called “High School Lucia Debrouckere.”
However, it was her on-the-job training with Jean-Marie Rock over more than twenty years that shaped her brewing talents.
Obviously I am not Jean-Marie. While the production method is almost the same, as he was my mentor, we have very different management styles.
Pride and Recognition
What does it feel like to be the first female head brewer at a Trappist brewery? Are you proud of that achievement? Anne-Françoise replies:
Yes, I am proud, I am sure. I am very happy.
As if all that were not impressive enough, Anne-Françoise is also production director of the Orval cheese factory.
Today Orval produces three cheeses, all based on the Port Salut style: young, aged and cheese washed with Orval beer.
Unfortunately, for now, the cheeses are only available in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
