Trappist beers

A Trappist beer is a beer brewed by or under the control of Trappist monks. Of the world's 171 Trappist monasteries (as of April 2005), seven produce beer (six in Belgium and one in the Netherlands).

Only these seven breweries are authorized to label their beers with the Authentic Trappist Product logo that indicates compliance with rules mandated by the International Trappist Association:

• The beer must be brewed within the walls of a Trappist abbey, by or under control of theTrappist monks.
• The brewery, the choices of brewing, and the commercial orientations must obviously depend on the monastic community.
• The economic purpose of the brewery must be directed toward assistance and not toward financial profit.

The idea of visiting Trappist monasteries to sample their beers has become more popular in recent years, partly due to promotion by enthusiasts such as the 'beer hunter' Michael Jackson. Most brewing monasteries maintain a visitor's center where their beers can be tasted and bought (sometimes with other monastic products such as bread and cheese). Visits to the monastery itself are usually not available to the general public.

Brerweries:

Bières de Chimay

Brasserie d’Orval

Brasserie de Rochefort

Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle

Brouwerij Westvleteren

Brouwerij der Sint-Benedictusabdij de Achelse Kluis

Brouwerij de Koninkshoeve