Monks at the Westmalle Trappist brewery have permitted an exceptional visit to their abbey. Judges from the Brussels Beer Challenge, a professional beer competition taking place in Turnhout (Antwerp Province) this year, were honoured with a visit. They got a tour of the brewery and abbey and, of course, were presented with a number of tastings.
Westmalle Trappist monks allow exceptional visit: 95 international beer experts visit the abbey
Colin Clapson
Published:
Visiting the Westmalle Trappist brewery is already pretty exceptional, but hardly anyone gets to see the inside of the abbey. For the judges of the prestigious Brussels Beer Challenge, the monks made an exception.
"The best beer in the world does not exist, but if there is any beer that comes close, it is still Westmalle Tripel. That meant we had to pay a visit" says Luc De Raedemaeker, founder and organiser of the Brussels Beer Challenge.
The 95 international beer experts visited the Trappist brewery after an intense day of judging. "It was a very special visit. We are going to drink some more beers and enjoy the evening," De Raedemaeker said.
The Brussels Beer Challenge is a major professional beer competition serving more than 1,800 different beers from 38 countries. This year, the competition takes place in Turnhout. Westmalle Trappists are not making a bid for the title themselves. "There are so many other brewers who also want a chance. And we've been in the business for so long, it's time for the newcomers," says Manu Pauwels, head of marketing at Westmalle Trappist.
Exceptional lighting at the abbey
The judges were given a tour of the brewery and saw how the bottles of Westmalle are filled and aged in the cellar. "But it is the visit to the abbey that is so very special," says Manu Pauwels. "We even had the lights on especially for the visit. Normally the lights go off because the monks go to sleep so early. Their day starts at 4am!"