Westmalle Extra released on a broader scale

The monks of the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Westmalle are brewing beer since 1836. It is a typical monastic work. Until today, Westmalle only sold two beers, the Dubbel and the Tripel, to the beverage trade and hospitality industry. However, for decades Westmalle Abbey has a third beer: the Extra with an ABV of 4.8% vol. Initially, the monks were brewing the Westmalle Extra for their own consumption and for their guests during mealtime. From now on, the Extra will also be available in specialised beverage outlets, bars and restaurants.

"Extra is one of the oldest beers of Westmalle. Its tradition dates back to 1836. Until now, this beer was sold at the abbey gate or in 'Café Trappisten', opposite the abbey, only," said Broeder Benedikt. "In recent years, the demand for beers with lower alcohol content increased, also for our Extra. That is why we have decided to make the Westmalle Extra available on a larger scale through specialised beverage stores. This way, the beer will also find its way to cafes and restaurants. The Abbey wants to offer the bar and restaurant owners who were severely affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic something extraordinary when they are allowed to reopen their doors."

Philippe Van Assche, general manager of the brewery: "We produce app. 130,000 hectoliters of Trappist beer every year. In the past the Westmalle Extra was brewed twice a year. Last year, we produced some 440 hectoliters. We will continue to brew our Extra in limited quantities to not jeopardize the Dubbel and Tripel production."

He added, "We are using water, malted barley and hop cones as ingredients for this golden blond top-fermented beer. We add the same yeast with the Extra as the one with the Dubbel and Tripel. It is a "living" beer because it ferments in the bottle. Although Extra has a much lower alcohol percentage, the hoppy character of the beer provides a pleasant and thirst-quenching aftertaste."
www.trappistwestmalle.be

The Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Westmalle

The monastery was founded in 1794 by monks from the Abbey of La Trappe in Normandy. They had fled France during the French Revolution. In 1836 the monastery was elevated to an Abbey of the Trappist Order. Westmalle is one of the six Trappist monasteries in Belgium. It belongs to the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Currently, 24 monks live in Westmalle. The Abbey employs 87 people, 51 of whom work in the brewery under the monks' supervision.
 

What is a Trappist beer?

The name "Trappist beer" is legally protected and may only be used when the beer production occurs within the cloister walls of a Trappist abbey under the monks' supervision. The International Trappist Association (ITA) ensures that the affiliated monasteries find a good balance between their spiritual tradition and commercial purposes. It helps and supports by

• protecting the registered trademark "Trappist" and the common economic interests of the Trappist communities;
• providing accurate information about the Order of the Cistercians of Strict Observance;
• stimulating cooperation between Abbeys;
• to further developing and expanding the network of solidarity and collaboration with other Trappist Abbeys.

Only Trappist Abbeys can use the registered trademark "Trappist" and the "Authentic Trappist Product" logo. The designation is, first and foremost, a certificate of origin. So it should never be used by another brewery. Of all Belgian abbeys, only six are allowed to call their beers Trappist beers: Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren. Five of them (Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren) are using the "Authentic Trappist Product" label.

For more information about the International Trappist Association and the ATP logo: www.trappist.be.

Image bank: https://pr.trappistwestmalle.be/media