Trappist Beer

The term "Trappist" is strictly defined and presently only seven breweries on Earth are permitted to use the term, and to apply the logo "Authentic Trappist Product" to their merchandise, which can include bread, cheese and various other products as well as beer. The Trappist Order is a monastic, Catholic religious sect which grew from Cistercianism. It focuses on personal contemplation, self-sufficiency and physical labour. Six of the monasteries (Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren) are in Belgium while Koenigshoeven (La Trappe) is in the Netherlands. Widely regarded as among the finest beers in the world, Trappist brews are full of complexity and are generally fairly (or extremely!) high in alcohol. In particular, the increasingly hard to find Westvleteren beers are commonly regarded as the finest beers on Earth.