Westvleteren Trappist Beer: Dutch Ease as Liquor Stores Start Selling

s van der Meulen, a Dutch beer enthusiast. “No more hassle of trying to order online and hoping to get lucky. I can just walk into a liquor store and buy it whenever I want.”

The decision to sell Westvleteren Trappist beer in Dutch liquor stores is seen as a way to combat the black market and ensure that the beer remains accessible to all. The monks of St. Sixtus Abbey have always been committed to keeping the beer affordable, and the exorbitant prices on the black market were contrary to their principles.

Westvleteren is known as one of the most exclusive Trappist beers in the world. Only ten Trappist beers exist, and they must meet strict rules, including being brewed within the walls of a monastery under the supervision of monks. The proceeds from the beer can only be used to maintain the abbey, with any remaining funds going to charity.

The popularity of Westvleteren, especially the number 12 variety, has led to a real hype around the beer. In 2005, it was voted the best beer in the world on the leading website ratebeer.com, further increasing its demand. However, the monks have always been adamant about not increasing production to meet the demand. They brew only what is needed to maintain the abbey, resulting in limited quantities of the beloved beer.

Previously, customers could order the beer through a beer phone or online, but the limited availability often led to disappointment. The new decision to sell the beer in Dutch liquor stores aims to make it more accessible to beer enthusiasts without the hassle of ordering online or making a trip to the abbey.

While some Belgians may be concerned about the beer being sold in the Netherlands, many Dutch beer enthusiasts are thrilled about the opportunity to easily purchase Westvleteren. The monks’ commitment to keeping the beer affordable and their desire to combat the black market have been well-received by the Dutch beer community.

With the availability of Westvleteren Trappist beer in Dutch liquor stores, beer enthusiasts in the Netherlands can now enjoy this exclusive brew without the need for appointments or online ordering. The monks of St. Sixtus Abbey have made it easier for their northern neighbors to savor the unique flavors of Westvleteren.In the Netherlands, the high prices for a bottle of Westvleteren Trappist beer have caught the attention of the monks who brew it. To address the issue, the monks have decided to make it easier for the Dutch to purchase the beer by allowing it to be sold in liquor stores. This move comes as a response to the exorbitant prices being charged on the black market for the beer.

Abe Reitsma, a Dutch tourist visiting the Sint-Sixtus abbey in Vleteren, Belgium, where the beer is brewed, expressed his support for the decision. He believes that the excessive profits made on the black market go against the principles behind the Trappist beer.

Until now, the only way to buy Westvleteren beer was by making an appointment with the monks at the abbey. This exclusivity added to the allure of the beer, attracting visitors from Belgium, the Netherlands, and other countries. Some lucky individuals managed to order a crate from the monks, while others could enjoy the beer at the only pub in the world officially allowed to serve Westvleteren, located next to the monastery.

Westvleteren is considered one of the most exclusive Trappist beers, as it is brewed within the walls of the monastery under the supervision of the Cistercian monks. Only ten Trappist beers exist, and they must meet strict rules, with the proceeds going towards maintaining the abbey and supporting charitable causes

Why did the monks of St. Sixtus Abbey decide to sell Westvleteren beer in Dutch liquor stores instead of increasing production to meet growing demand

Their beloved Westvleteren beer. Van der Meulen, a Dutch beer enthusiast, expressed his delight at being able to walk into a liquor store and buy the beer whenever he wants, without the hassle of ordering online and hoping to get lucky.

The decision to sell Westvleteren Trappist beer in Dutch liquor stores is seen as a strategic move to combat the black market and ensure that the beer remains accessible to all. The monks of St. Sixtus Abbey have always had a commitment to keeping the beer affordable, and the skyrocketing prices on the black market went against their principles.

Westvleteren is renowned as one of the most exclusive Trappist beers globally, with only ten existing varieties that must comply with strict brewing rules. These rules include being brewed within the monastery’s walls under the supervision of the monks. The beer’s sales proceeds are designated for maintaining the abbey, with any surplus funds going towards various charitable causes.

The popularity of Westvleteren, especially the highly sought-after number 12 variety, has created a hype around the beer. Its reputation was further boosted in 2005 when it was voted the best beer in the world on ratebeer.com, a leading beer-oriented website. However, the monks have always been unwavering in their decision not to increase production to meet the growing demand. They exclusively brew what is necessary for the upkeep of the abbey, leading to limited quantities of this beloved beer.

In the past, customers had the option to order the beer through a beer phone or online. However, the limited availability often resulted in disappointment for many beer enthusiasts. The recent decision to sell Westvleteren in Dutch liquor stores aims to make it more accessible to these enthusiasts, eliminating the need for online ordering or making a trip to the abbey.

While some Belgians may be concerned about the beer being sold in the Netherlands, the majority of Dutch beer enthusiasts are thrilled about the newfound ease of purchasing their beloved Westvleteren beer. Van der Meulen perfectly encapsulates the sentiment, highlighting the relief of being able to simply walk into a liquor store and buy the beer whenever desired, without any hassle or uncertainty.