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Abdij der Trappisten Van Westmalle

Westmalle Brewery (Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle) is a Belgian trappist brewery located in the Trappist Abbey of Westmalle. It produces three beers, which are designated trappist beer because they follow the rules of the International Trappist Association.
Beers:  Westmalle Dubbel
Westmalle Extra
Westmalle Tripel
Accessories: 
Westmalle 25cl Westmalle 25cl
Westmalle 33cl Westmalle 33cl
Address:  Europe» Belgium» WESTMALLE
2390 Antwerpsesteenweg 496
Province:  Antwerp
Founded in:  1836
Phone:  +32 33129222
Fax:  +32 33129228
E-mail:  info@trappistwestmalle.be
Web Site:  www.trappistwestmalle.be
The Belgian Trappist abbey in Westmalle(officially called Abdij Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hart van Jezus) was founded 6 June 1794, but the community was not elevated to the rank of Trappist abbey until 22 April 1836. Martinus Dom, the first abbot, decided the abbey would brew its own beer, and the first beer was brewed on 1 August 1836 and first imbibed on 10 December 1836. The pioneer brewers were Father Bonaventura Hermans and Albericus Kemps. The first beer was described as light in alcohol and rather sweet. By 1856, the monks had added a second beer: the first strong brown beer. This brown beer is today considered the first double (dubbel, in Dutch). The current Belgian Dubbel is derived from a recipe first brewed in 1926. Local sales began in 1856 and the oldest registered sale was on 1 January 1861. The brewery was enlarged and rebuilt in 1865 based on the example set by the Trappists of Forges (nearby Chimay). Father Ignatius van Ham joined the brewer team. Further commercialisation and sales to traders commenced in 1921. In 1933 a complete new brewery was built and in 1934, the brewery brewed a strong pale ale of 9.4% abv giving it the name Tripel - the first modern use of the name. The brewery was remodeled in 1991. It currently has a bottling capacity of 45,000 bottles per hour, and yearly output of 120,000 hL (in 2004).

The majority of the workers in the brewery are no longer monks, but secular staff brought in from outside. There are 22 monks and 40 outside staff.
Source:   www.trappistwestmalle.be

Brugse Zot blond from Brewery De Halve Maan is available in the Beer Store