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The Daily Insight

Is St Bernardus a Trappist

Author

Emily Dawson

Published Mar 11, 2026

St. Bernardus sits on Trappistenweg (translation: “Trappist Way”), amid the peaceful Flemish countryside just two kilometers from the French border. “Our brewery has a connection with two Trappist monasteries,” Passarella says. “The first one gave us our name, and the second one gave us our beer.”

What type of beer is St Bernardus?

St. Bernardus Abt 12 from Brouwerij St. Bernard is a traditional abbey ale brewed in the classic style of Belgium’s Trappist Monks.

How many Trappist breweries are there?

There are currently 11 Trappist breweries in the world, and they’re responsible for creating 12 beers that are legally and legitimately approved to be called Trappist ales.

What type of beer is St Bernardus Abt 12?

The Abt 12 is a classic Belgian dark quadrupel, with an alcohol content of over 10% ABV. It has been brewed here since 1946, on the basis of the original recipe compiled by the Westvleteren monks.

What makes a Quadrupel beer?

Ingredients of a Quad beer Well, it takes a combination of yeast blend, water, high-quality specialty malts, hops, and a considerable amount of gravity boosting extract. These elements make an excellent Belgian ale, coupled with flavors of sugar, caramel, and complex fruity aromas.

What does Abt stand for in beer?

what does that mean? Well, Abt is the strongest beer that a monastery produces in order to honor or please their high priest, known as the Abbot. The number 12 is derived from the Belgian specific gravity reading, which is much like our Alcohol by Volume (ABV) reading of the beer.

What is the best beer in the world?

namestyle1Toppling Goliath Kentucky BrunchStout – Imperial Flavored / Pastry2Närke Kaggen StormaktsporterStout – Imperial3Westvleteren 12 XIIQuadrupel / Abt4Toppling Goliath Mornin’ DelightStout – Imperial Flavored / Pastry

What are the 7 Trappist breweries?

Seven beers can legally use the name Trappist and apply the special logo to the bottles. They include Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, and Westvleteren, all located in Belgium, and located in the Netherlands is La Trappe. In the USA La Trappe uses the name Koningshoeven.

What is Chimay Blue?

The Chimay Blue is a dark ale with a powerful aroma. Its complex flavor improves with passing time.

What does Trappist mean in English?

Trappist. / (ˈtræpɪst) / noun. a member of a branch of the Cistercian order of Christian monks, the Reformed Cistercians of the Strict Observance which originated at La Trappe in France in 1664. They are noted for their rule of silence.

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Where are the Trappist monasteries?

Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris ObservantiaeLogo of the Trappists.Founded atLa Trappe AbbeyTypeCatholic religious orderHeadquartersViale Africa, 33 Rome, Italy

How many Trappist Breweries are in Belgium?

They are probably most famous for their beers, which are unique within the beer world. There are twelve Trappist breweries in the world from which six in Belgium: Westmalle, Westvleteren, Achel, Chimay, Orval and Rochefort.

Is St Bernardus made by monks?

In 1945, the monks partnered with Evarist Deconinck, who ran the cheese factory, and licensed him to brew their Trappist beers. In 1946, they officially formed Brewery St. Bernard.

How is dubbel pronounced?

‘Tripel’ and ‘dubbel’ are indeed pronounced as ‘triple’ and ‘double’. ‘Doo-vull’ is also correct.

What's the difference between a dubbel and a tripel?

Dubbel is a style that originated at the Abbey of Westmalle near Antwerp. … Tripels are both hoppier and higher in alcohol content than dubbels. In fact, tripels were traditionally the strongest beers brewed for abbey consumption, and some brewed today can exceed 10% ABV.

What makes a dubbel beer?

Dubbels are now understood to be a fairly strong (6–8% alcohol by volume) brown ale, with understated bitterness, fairly heavy body, and a pronounced fruitiness and cereal character. Chimay Première (Red), Koningshoeven/La Trappe Dubbel, and Achel 8 Bruin are notable examples from Trappist breweries.

What is the best Trappist beer?

  • #1) Westvleteren 12. Wh. …
  • #2) Chimay Blue Grande Reserve. Chimay. …
  • #3) Orval. …
  • #4) Rochefort 8. …
  • #5) Westmalle Tripel. …
  • #6) Achel Extra. …
  • #7) LaTrappe/Koeningshoeven Quadruple. …
  • #8) Spencer Trappist Holiday.

Do Trappist monks drink beer?

Generally, the Trappists eat what they can grow themselves and drink what they can collect on their own … or brew themselves. Monks of different orders have brewed beer for their own consumption since the Middle Ages, choosing hearty ales that help tide them over during fasts.

What is the number 1 beer in America?

Number 1 – Bud Light And the winner is Anheuser-Busch InBev’s famous Bud Light. With 27.2 million barrels shipped in 2019 and a market share of 13.24, this light lager is America’s best-selling beer.

How is Trappist beer made?

Put simply, Trappist beer is beer made by or under the supervision of monks within the walls of a Benedictine abbey. … Thus they eat and drink their beer in near-silence, much like the 11am customers of a Wetherspoon.

How strong is delirium beer?

Delirium Tremens Is Known For Its Potency. As the name suggests, the Strong Ale brew packs a boozy punch and weighs in at 8.5 percent ABV.

Is Chimay Blue a Dubbel?

It is a dark brown colour dubbel and has a sweet, fruity aroma. Chimay Blue, 9% ABV darker ale.

Are Trappist monks Catholic?

Trappist, formally member of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (O.C.S.O.) , member of the reformed branch of Roman Catholic Cistercians founded by Armand-Jean Le Bouthillier de Rancé in France in 1664. The order follows the Rule of St.

Is Duvel a Trappist beer?

Finally, there is Duvel (8.5%) – not a Trappist ale a Belgian classic all the same. Described by Oxford Companion to Beer as “the progenitor of a beer style widely known as Belgian strong golden ale”, it gained its moniker (Flemish for “real devil”) because of its dangerous drinkability.

How do you become a Trappist monk?

  1. Internship in the community. …
  2. Entry in the abbey. …
  3. Noviciate. …
  4. Temporary profession. …
  5. Solemn profession.

What is the Trappist monastery?

The Trappist Monastery was established in 1892 by five members of the Trappist Order from the Abbey of Bellefontaine, France. In 1978, the Trappists moved to a site near Holland, Manitoba, to protect their contemplative life from the effects of urban sprawl.

What did the Cistercians believe?

The Cistercian order maintained the independent organic life of the individual houses: each abbey having its own abbot elected by its own monks, its own community belonging to itself and not to the order in general, and its own property and finances administered without outside interference.

What type of monk was Thomas Merton?

Thomas Merton OCSO (January 31, 1915 – December 10, 1968) was an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist, and scholar of comparative religion.

Can you visit Trappist breweries Belgium?

Achel. The sixth of six Belgian Trappist breweries is Sint-Benedictus Abbey, or Achelse Kluis for short. There are no brewery tours, but the tavern at the abbey is open to the public.

Is La Trappe a Trappist beer?

Taste the silence These original principles provide La Trappe Trappist with the exclusive label “Authentic Trappist Product” from the International Trappist Association. La Trappe Trappist is pure, honest, Dutch ale. If you taste good, you will discover what it is to enjoy.

Is Leffe a Trappist beer?

America’s first and only (so far) Trappist brewery came online in late 2013 in Spencer, Massachusetts. … *While Leffe can’t stand up to Trappist ales, there are a few non-monk brews we highly recommend, namely St. Bernardus, Tripel Karmaliet, Allagash Tripel, and Ommegang.