Trappist Beers

These rich, dark ales are produced by monks according to centuries-old methods. By law, the use of the Trappist name can only be used for brews that are produced by one of these abbeys.

The Trappists of Rochefort : Although the records already refer to brewing activity in 1595, the present-day brewery dates back to 1899.  There is 3 type of beers, “La Six,” “La Huit” and “ la Dix,” they are  available in small quantities since the monks do not want the production to interfere with their ethics and their monastic way of life. The brewery is not open to the public www.abbaye-rochefort.be

The Trappists of Chimay : In 1850, a small Cistercian Trappist community near Chimay. The brewery produces three beers, the Blue Label (a dark, vintage beer), The Red Label, the most popular one and the White Label (a pale amber color). Since 1978, the bottling is done off-site.  www.chimay.com

The Trappists of Orval : In 1070, Benedictine monks settled in Belgium but the brewery was open in 1931.Orval is the Belgian beer with the strongest taste of hops.

 

Abbey Beers

Up to forty years ago, most of the “abbey beers” were brewed within the precinct of an abbey.

Now most of the beers are brewed outside the abbey but followed the traditional monastic method.

Abbaye de Maredsous : Founded in 1872 by Benedictine monks, three types of beers are brewed.

The light Maredsous Blonde was the abbey’s first beer and the monks still drink it daily at lunch.

The brown beer “Brune” was originally only brewed for Christmas.

The Maredsous Triple is served in the abbey on special occasions.

Rue de Maredsous, 11 –Namur www.maredsousbieres.be

Abbaye de Val Dieu : The abbey of Val-Dieu was built  in 1216 by Cistercian monks. In 2001 the three remaining monks left the abbey, but the production of 3 types of beers continue in the abbey farm using traditional monastic method. Tour for group upon reservation

Val Dieu 225 – Aubel www.val-dieu.com

Abbaye de Leffe : Brewery started in the Middle Ages until 1809 and stopped After the turmoil of the French Revolution . The beer is no longer brewed in the Abbey.Leffe is undoubtedly the most famous Walloon beer. Now owned and brewed by the company Inbev in Louvain, it is exported throughout the globe in many different countries.

Place de l’Abbaye 1, B-5500 Dinant www.abbaye-de-leffe.be ; www.leffe.be

Abbaye de Saint Martin :Founded in 1096, the Abbey of Saint Martin at Tours (Tournai) perpetuated his teachings and the recipes developed by the monks. Rue des Panneries, 177623 Brunehaut www.brunehaut.com

Abbaye d’Aulne:  The brewery is located next to the remaining abbey who was a Cistercian monastery

Rue Vandervelde, 273 - 6534 GOZEE www.valdesambre.be

Abbaye des Rocs:  Located in a little picturesque village, the brewing activities started in 1979.

Chaussee Brunehaut 37 – Montignies-sur-Roc www.abbaye-des-rocs.com

Abbaye St Feuillien:  Theses beers have been brewing by the same family since 1873, but the history of them goes back to several centuries.  www.st-feuillien.com