A Journey through the Trappist Abbeys of Belgium: Spirituality, History, and Sacred Beers
We bet that at least once in your life you’ve thought about doing a Belgian abbey tour focused on beers, cheeses, and… Well, if you really decide to go, know that you won’t be nourished by food and drinks alone: the spirituality you’ll breathe is unique and will make everything seem more magical, including the beers, which in many cases are already naturally excellent.
Whether your means is a camper van, a Harley, a bike, or a mix of hiking boots, public transport, and goodwill, in this article you’ll find very useful tips for your Trappist abbey tour where you can sip legendary beers and discover a millenary tradition that unites faith, work, and brewing art.
What Trappist Beers Are
Definition and Requirements
Trappist beers are beers produced by monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists), following strict rules established by the International Trappist Association (ITA).
To be certified "Authentic Trappist Product," a beer must:
- Be produced within a Trappist abbey
- Be produced or supervised by the monks
- Profits must support the abbey and charitable works (no personal enrichment)
Only 14 breweries worldwide can bear the "Authentic Trappist Product" label, of which 6 are in Belgium.
History of Trappist Beers
Trappist monks have been brewing beer for centuries, following the Benedictine rule "Ora et Labora" (Pray and Work). The beer served as:
- Nourishment: "Liquid bread" during fasting
- Economic support: Sales to maintain the abbey
- Hospitality: Offered to pilgrims and visitors
Trappist beers are considered among the best in the world for quality, complexity, and tradition.
The 6 Trappist Abbeys of Belgium
1. Westmalle Abbey (Malle, Antwerp)
Founded: 1794
Beer production: Since 1836
Motto: "Ora et Labora"
History: Westmalle is one of the oldest and most respected Trappist abbeys. The monks have been brewing beer since 1836, initially only for internal consumption. Since 1856, the beer has been sold to the public.
Beers produced:
Westmalle Dubbel (7% ABV):
- Color: Dark brown
- Flavor: Caramel, dried fruit, spices, chocolate
- Notes: It defined the modern "Dubbel" style
Westmalle Tripel (9.5% ABV):
- Color: Bright golden
- Flavor: Fruity, spicy, floral, dry
- Notes: It defined the modern "Tripel" style (created in 1934)
- Iconic: Considered the world reference Tripel
Westmalle Extra (4.8% ABV):
- Monks' "table" beer
- Not sold to the public (only at the abbey)
Visit:
- The abbey is not visitable (cloistered)
- Trappisten Café (opposite the abbey): tasting and purchase
- Shop: Beers, cheeses, monastic products
2. Westvleteren Abbey (Vleteren, West Flanders)
Founded: 1831
Beer production: Since 1838
Motto: "We do not produce beer, we produce prayers"
History: Westvleteren is the smallest and most mysterious Trappist abbey. The monks produce beer only to sustain themselves, refusing commercial expansion. The beers are extremely rare and legendary.
Beers produced:
Westvleteren Blond (5.8% ABV - green cap):
- Color: Golden
- Flavor: Fruity, spicy, floral
Westvleteren 8 (8% ABV - blue cap):
- Color: Dark brown
- Flavor: Caramel, dried fruit, spices
Westvleteren 12 (10.2% ABV - yellow cap):
- Color: Very dark brown
- Flavor: Dried fruit, caramel, chocolate, spices, extreme complexity
- Legend: Often voted "best beer in the world" on RateBeer and BeerAdvocate
How to buy:
- Phone reservation: Call the abbey number (line always busy!)
- Pickup: Only at the abbey, limited quantity (max 2 cases)
- In De Vrede: Café opposite the abbey (on-site tasting)
- Note: Not sold in stores (only secondary market at very high prices)
Visit:
- Abbey not visitable
- In De Vrede: The only place to taste Westvleteren
3. Chimay Abbey (Chimay, Hainaut)
Founded: 1850
Beer production: Since 1862
Motto: "Deus Scientiae Dominus" (God is the Lord of Science)
History: Chimay is the largest and most commercial Trappist abbey. The beers are exported worldwide and represent 90% of Trappist beers sold.
Beers produced:
Chimay Rouge/Red (7% ABV - red cap):
- Color: Copper brown
- Flavor: Dried fruit, caramel, spices
- First Chimay beer (1862)
Chimay Bleue/Blue (9% ABV - blue cap):
- Color: Dark brown
- Flavor: Dried fruit, chocolate, caramel, port
- Ageable (improves with years)
- Grande Réserve: 75cl bottled version
Chimay Blanche/White (8% ABV - white cap):
- Color: Golden
- Flavor: Fruity, spicy, hops, coriander
- Tripel-style
Chimay Dorée/Gold (4.8% ABV - gold cap):
- Monks' "table" beer
- Available to the public since 2015
Visit:
- Espace Chimay: Visitor center with museum, tasting, restaurant
- Auberge de Poteaupré: Inn with gourmet restaurant and Chimay beers
- Abbey: Partially visitable (church)
4. Orval Abbey (Villers-devant-Orval, Belgian Luxembourg)
Founded: 1070 (refounded 1926)
Beer production: Since 1931
Motto: "Aurea Vallis" (Golden Valley)
History: Orval has a legendary story: according to tradition, Countess Matilda lost her wedding ring in a spring. She prayed, and a trout emerged with the ring in its mouth. She exclaimed, "Vraiment, c'est un val d'or!" (Truly, it is a valley of gold!).
Beers produced:
Orval (6.2% ABV):
- Color: Amber-orange
- Flavor: Hoppy, dry-hopped, brett (Brettanomyces), citrusy, herbal, dry
- Unique: Dry-hopping + fermentation with Brettanomyces (evolves in bottle)
- Aging: Young (fresh, hoppy) vs Aged (funky, complex)
- Iconic: Unique bottle, distinctive chalice glass
Petite Orval (3.5% ABV):
- Monks' beer
- Not sold (only at the abbey)
Visit:
- Ruins of the old abbey: Visit possible (very beautiful)
- Museum: History of the abbey
- À l'Ange Gardien: Restaurant/café with Orval tasting
- Shop: Beers, Orval cheeses, monastic products
5. Abbey of Rochefort (Rochefort, Namur)
Founded: 1230
Beer production: Since 1595
Motto: "Curvata Resurgo" (Bent, I rise again)
History: Rochefort is one of the oldest abbeys. The monks have been brewing beer for over 400 years. The beers are powerful, complex, and meditative.
Beers produced:
Rochefort 6 (7.5% ABV - red cap):
- Color: Copper brown
- Flavor: Dried fruit, caramel, spices
Rochefort 8 (9.2% ABV - green cap):
- Color: Dark brown
- Flavor: Dried fruit, chocolate, caramel, spices, port
- Classic: Perfect balance
Rochefort 10 (11.3% ABV - blue cap):
- Color: Very dark brown
- Flavor: Dried fruit, dark chocolate, burnt caramel, spices, warm alcohol
- Powerful: Meditation beer
- Aging potential: Improves with age
Visit:
- Abbey not open to visitors (strict cloister)
- Rochefort: Town with pubs and shops selling Rochefort beers
6. Abbey of Achel (Achel, Limburg)
Founded: 1846
Beer production: 1998-2021
Note: Lost the "Authentic Trappist Product" label in 2021 (no resident monks)
History: Achel was the last Belgian abbey to receive the Trappist label (1998). In 2021, with the departure of the last monk, it lost the certification. The beers continue to be produced but are no longer "Trappist."
Beers (ex-Trappist):
- Achel Blond 5, Achel Blond 8
- Achel Bruin 5, Achel Bruin 8
- Achel Extra (only on tap)
Visit:
- De Achelse Kluis: Abbey café (tasting)
- Museum: History of the abbey
Itinerary: Tour of Belgian Trappist Abbeys
Recommended Duration: 4-5 Days
Day 1: Brussels → Westmalle → Achel
- Morning: Arrival in Brussels
- Afternoon: Westmalle (Trappist Café)
- Evening: Achel (De Achelse Kluis)
- Accommodation: Achel or Eindhoven (NL)
Day 2: Achel → Westvleteren
- Morning: Travel to Westvleteren
- Afternoon: In De Vrede (Westvleteren tasting)
- Evening: Explore West Flanders
- Accommodation: Bruges or Ypres
Day 3: Westvleteren → Chimay
- Morning: Travel to Chimay
- Afternoon: Espace Chimay (museum and tasting)
- Evening: Auberge de Poteaupré (gourmet dinner)
- Accommodation: Chimay
Day 4: Chimay → Orval → Rochefort
- Morning: Orval (ruins, museum, tasting)
- Afternoon: Rochefort (city exploration)
- Evening: Rochefort tasting in local pub
- Accommodation: Rochefort or Dinant
Day 5: Rochefort → Brussels
- Morning: Return to Brussels
- Afternoon: Beer tour Brussels (Cantillon, Moeder Lambic, Délirium Café)
- Evening: Departure
Practical Tips for the Tour
Transportation
- Car: Maximum flexibility (but watch the alcohol!)
- Train + bus: Possible but inconvenient (isolated abbeys)
- Bicycle: Romantic but challenging (long distances)
- Organized tours: Guided tours of the abbeys exist
When to Go
- Spring/Summer (May-Sep): Better weather, green countryside
- Autumn (Oct-Nov): Mystical atmosphere, fewer tourists
- Winter: Cold but atmospheric, perfect dark beers
Budget
- Beers: €3-8 per bottle
- Tastings: €10-20
- Meals: €15-40
- Accommodation: €60-120/night
- Total 5 days: €500-1000/person
What to Bring
- Comfortable layered clothing
- Walking shoes
- Thermal bag (for carrying beers)
- Respect for sacred places
Other Trappist Beers in the World
Besides the 6 Belgian ones, there are another 8 Trappist abbeys worldwide:
- Netherlands: La Trappe, Zundert
- Austria: Engelszell
- Italy: Tre Fontane (Rome)
- USA: Spencer
- France: Mont des Cats
- England: Tynt Meadow
- Spain: Cardeña
Conclusion: A Spiritual and Beer Journey
A journey through the Trappist abbeys of Belgium is not just a beer tour: it is a unique spiritual, cultural, and gastronomic experience. Walking among the ruins of Orval, tasting a Westvleteren 12 at In De Vrede, exploring the Espace Chimay, and breathing in the spirituality of these sacred places is something every beer lover should do at least once in their life.
Trappist beers represent the absolute excellence of brewing tradition: quality, complexity, history, and spirituality in every sip. They are beers for meditation, sharing, and respect.
Discover our selection of Trappist and Belgian beers on Maltese.beer and bring home a piece of this millenary tradition! 🍺⛪
