The brewery of Westmalle is a name that harvests respect in the International Beer Community. This monastery in Flanders, Belgium is world famous for the production of excellent beers in the tradition of the artisanal masters of centuries ago. Belgium has a long tradition with beer, not only are there hundreds of beers to choose from, but the art of producing beer is a historical and cultural institution.
Strangely enough, monks are famous in these parts of the world for brewing excellent beers that are now a commercial success worldwide and renowned by universal beer lovers.
The history of the brewery is as fascinating as the evolution of the beers. In 1836, the monks produced their own beer for the first time and become an official Trappist brewery. The name Trappist is a referral to the beer, only breweries who match various requirements can label their beer as Trappist. Trappist is not only a trademark but also a mark of excellence. The brewery started for the consumption within the abbey, only in 1865 was it possible to buy the beer outside the gates of the monastery. This decision was a commercial success and the brewery had to expand to its present form.
In 1921 the monks decide to commercialize their products, this leads to another expansion of several new buildings and an opening to the public.
Today the monks are master brewers and adapt with their time with a fully functional modern brewery, all in absolute respect for the tradition.
The ingredients never changed their own water, sugar, yeast, malted barley and hops. During all this time, they brew without conceding to trends, the originality is sacred and so is the quality. The beer is the backbone of the brewery’s history.
More than 200 years now have the monks been brewing beer to the delight of ten thousands of beer lovers and all is in alignment with the philosophy of St Benedict who proclaimed spiritual power to a hard day’s work, but also lined out the rules of commerce. For the monks it is not only about money, it is a favor to the community and it has to be an act supporting the wellbeing and development of a human being.
This is what people call a ‘special economy’, kept small on purpose with consideration for nature and the people. This little economy is self-sustained, the monks reinvest in their brewery if there is any profit it is distributed to people in need, both locally or abroad. The monks themselves are less in numbers every year so they employ people to run the brewery, but they have still all the reigns in hand to ensure the quality of their products.
The beers of Westmalle
- Tripel of Westmalle: first brewed in 1934 and called ‘The Mother of All Triples’ is a complex beer with a fruity taste and a perfect hop collar. It is a golden yellow beer with 9.5° alcohol. The taste is soft and creamy with a bitter touch given by the fruit aroma. It has elegance and finesse. The aftertaste is also very delicate and unique.
- The Double of Westmalle: This beer is dark red-brown and has a very complex taste due to the after yeasting in the bottle; it is also fruity in flavor with a malt distinction and a fresh tasting bitterness as the grand finale. The taste pallet ranges from caramel, malt and fruity elements, which tastes like ripe bananas. The foam is the characteristic of this beer. This beer has a perfect balance and is a delight to drink.
The beers are relatively easy to buy in Belgium and the Netherlands; you can find them in bottles or in special gift packages. If you are in the Low Lands, you can find establishments who serve the beer straight from a keg.
When you visit Belgium, be sure to have a taste of the beers, they are almost a religious experience, as they are definitely unique in taste compared to other beers worldwide.
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