Trappist appreciation tour

munkus

Hi Guys,

Looking for some help and advice here. Just recently discovered the wonder that is Trappist beer and I want to plan a trip to a few of the Monasteries/Breweries in Belgium sometime in September or October. We'd be looking to go to Achel, Rochefort, Orval Chimay and maybe Westvletern, probably by car. On first inspection, many of these breweries are not open to the public and some are fairly isolated near small towns.

Has anyone ever done such a trip or have advice on which to go to or avoid?

Thanks.

Munkus.

Geuze

Yes, most are in very rural areas.

Yes, some are totally closed abbeys.

Some have an abbey cafe, some don't.


ORVAL www.orval.be

In far south Belgium, maybe 5km from the town of Florenville (one main hotel).

Ruins of old abbey open.

Modern abbey closed - unless you want to go on retreat with the monks.

Gift shop. Guardian Angel cafe beside the abbey.

Open door days
Orval Brewery will hold an open house on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 September 2011, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Registration from May

Please note: the tour takes about one hour, and is not accessible to persons with reduced mobility.

Geuze

Rochefort

Totally closed, AFAIK. We visited the nearby town, and went to a few cafes, some of which sort of specialised in Rochefort.

Geuze

Chimay www.chimay.com


Again, rural.

Larger, more commercial brewery.

Bottling done off-site.

Seem to do tours, there is a cafe / restaurant.

Geuze

Achel http://www.achelsekluis.org/general/home.html

In northeast Belgium, right on the Dutch border.

Rural.

Geuze

Westmalle

http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/

Seems closed.


Cafe opposite: http://www.trappisten.be/eng/

Menu: http://www.trappisten.be/eng/menu/menu%20en%20201007.pdf

munkus

Thanks Geuze, that's a great help!