Belgian Trappists are a subset of abbey ales that are brewed in monasteries as part of the industrial output of the monks. As a result, the exact number of beers in this category can vary as individual monasteries brew different beers.
Currently, there are ten traditional Trappist beers that are officially certified as complying with the International Trappist Association’s regulations and standards, which stipulate that the beer must be brewed within the confines of a Trappist monastery and must be brewed by or under the direct supervision of the monks.
These ten traditional beers are: Westmalle Trappist Tripel, Westmalle Trappist Dubbel, Orval Trappist Ale, Achel 8° Blond, Achel 8° Bruin, Chimay Red, Chimay White, Chimay Blue, La Trappe Dubbel, and La Trappe Quadrupel.
In addition, eleven non-traditional Trappist beers currently exist, however, these beers do not meet the International Trappist Association’s standards. This brings the total to 21 unique beers in the Trappist range.
What are the seven Trappist breweries?
The seven Trappist breweries, who all make beer following the Reinheitsgebot purity law, are – Achel, Chimay, Orval, Westmalle, Westvleteren, Rochefort and La Trappe. Achel is located in Belgium, Chimay and Orval are in Belgium and France, Westmalle and Westvleteren are located in Belgium, Rochefort is located in Belgium and La Trappe is located in the Netherlands.
All of the Trappist breweries make a variety of beer, typically of the top-fermented, dark, Trappist ale variety. The styles of Trappist beer made are typically Dubbels, Tripels, Quads and Specialties.
All of these beers are brewed under the supervision of the monks who give away the proceeds of the beer sales to charity.
How many Trappists are there in the world?
At present, there are 8 officially recognized Trappist monasteries scattered around the world. These 8 Trappist Monasteries are located in Belgium (3), Netherlands (1), Italy (1), Spain (1), France (1), USA (1), and Ecuador (1).
All of them are considered to be part of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, or O. C. S. O. , which is the Cistercian order dedicated to the reform of the Benedictine Rule of 1098.
In addition to these official 8 Trappist monasteries, there are officially recognized Trappist “daughter houses,” as well as several monasteries who have requested official affiliation with the O. C.
S. O. All told, there are approximately 2600 Monks and Sisters who have taken the Trappist vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and who live and work in Trappist monasteries worldwide.
Is Leffe a Trappist beer?
Yes, Leffe is a Trappist beer. It is a Belgian abbey beer, brewed within the walls of an Abbey according to traditional brewing methods. Leffe is a brand of beer brewed by Interbrew, now part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, and owned by the former Abbey of Leffe in Dinant, Belgium.
It is a golden and fruity beer with a smooth and creamy texture. Leffe Blonde and Leffe Brune are the two most popular varieties. Leffe Blonde is a 6. 6% abv pale ale, while Leffe Brune is a 7. 5% abv dark ale, which is slightly sweeter and contains more malt and hops.
Both varieties are brewed with top-fermenting yeasts, giving them a distinct fruitiness. Leffe is also occasionally blended with other beers, such as Kriek, to create fruity, flavorful, and refreshing beer cocktails.
What beer do monks drink?
Most monks tend to abstain from the consumption of alcohol, so the type of beer that monks drink can vary from order to order. Some orders have adopted the brewing of non-alcoholic beer, which is caffeinated, to allow their monks to partake in the taste of beer without actually drinking it.
This type of beer is made with wort that has had the alcohol removed through technological processes. Some orders will also allow their monks to partake in the occasional enjoyment of beer, though it is likely to be a very light beer with a low alcohol content.
Additionally, some orders may provide beer as sustenance during long days of work. It is likely that in this case, the beer will be a more standard option with a regular alcohol content. Ultimately, the type of beer that monks drink largely depends on their particular order and the rules they’ve adopted.
Can you buy Trappist beer in America?
Yes, you can buy Trappist beer in America. Trappist beer is brewed by Trappist monks and is made in strict accordance with the brewing traditions of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, more commonly known as the Trappists.
All Trappist breweries are located in Europe and beer produced by them is not legally permitted to be exported, which means that the only way to get Trappist beer in America is to buy it from specialty shops that bring it in from abroad or to purchase it from importers.
The Trappist beers available in America are typically the same beers available in Europe, including Westmalle, La Trappe, Orval, Rochefort, Westvleteren, and Chimay. The taste and style of Trappist beers vary between different breweries and can also range from light and fruity to dark, heavy and hoppy.
What is the beer in the world?
The world’s most popular beer varies from country to country, but some of the most widely available and well-known beers include Budweiser, Coors, Miller Lite, Heineken, Corona, Stella Artois, Carlsberg, Asahi, Guinness, Newcastle, and Sapporo.
Each of these beers has its own unique flavor profile and specific origin story, but all are widely recognized and popular throughout the world. Consumers around the globe also enjoy craft beers, a movement of small-batch beer-making that is gaining popularity in many countries.
Craft beers typically offer a more robust flavor than the mass-manufactured beers listed above, and are often brewed with interesting ingredients to create unique flavors and styles.
How long does Trappist beer last?
The shelf life of Trappist beer is largely dependent on the style of beer and the storage conditions. Many Trappist beers can have good shelf life up to two years, however that may vary when stored in ideal conditions (cool temperature, away from light and low humidity).
Generally speaking, Trappist ales last the longest when stored in their original packaging, because the bottle and cork can help protect the beer from spoilage due to oxidation. Note that if the beer is a lambic (a Belgian style of beer), then it should be consumed within a year of purchase or even less, because lambic beer does not age well.
If a beer is aged, it must be kept for at least a year, because the flavors can change over time due to the biogenic activity of the yeast in the beer.
When did monks first brew beer?
The exact date of when monks first started brewing beer is not known. The earliest evidence of brewing activities dates back to around 5,000 BC in the part of the world known as the Fertile Crescent.
There is evidence of beer being brewed in ancient Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Egypt around this time. In Europe, beer has been brewed by religious orders since at least the 6th century. The first recorded mention of the “monastery” and “beer-brewing” comes from a 6th century Spanish document.
Monks were important for the development and spread of beer throughout Europe and beyond, as they were one of the few sources of knowledge on the finer points of brewing beer. Monks experimented with different recipes, ingredients, and processes, ultimately leading to the development of many of the styles of beer that we enjoy today.
