The Westmalle Tripel is generally recognised as the ‘mother of all tripels’. The recipe was adjusted in 1926, and this beer, which has now become somewhat heavier, is what served as the basis for the current Dubbel.īut it was a third beer which was to cause the name of Westmalle to be forever engraved in the brewer's roll of honour. In 1933 the ‘Trappistenbier’ name was trademarked, and Westmalle expanded its production, with a view to supporting the local labour market. At this time there were two types of beer being produced: ‘ extra gersten’ (extra barley) and ‘ dubbel bruin’ (double brown). The brewing hall was dismantled completely during the First World War and the brewery resumed production only in 1922. But, as with most breweries in Belgium, the world wars were not kind to the abbey. The first use of bottles dates from around 1900. The 20th-century began well for the increasingly sought-after beers of Westmalle. But the wily monks of Westmalle were already selling their stalwart brews at the gates of the abbey. In those days, the beer came from wooden barrels stored in the cellars, and was poured into jugs to be served in the refectory. The brewing of refectory beer for the monks’ own use commenced in 1856. The fathers now started to sell their beer, following the example set by fellow Trappists of Chimay. It was in 1848 that Westmalle strode firmly onto its path to beer greatness, when a genuine brewer joined the ranks: Ignatius van Ham. This was by no means a coincidence – in those days beer was considered a beverage beneficial to health. In a former life he was a pharmacist and healer, skilled in the use of herbs. That's when Father Bonaventura Hermans was appointed Head Brewer. And while the abbey's buildings sustained much damage under Napoleon, Westmalle begins to flourish – by 1842 the abbey has received official recognition.īut maybe its true calling could be said to have begun in 1830. That wasn't to be the end of the Trappists of Westmalle, however. The French Revolution soon spills over into this part of the world, making them flee into exile in Germany. But a short-lived one, at least at first. They seem a blessing for this poor, war-ravaged region. These Trappist monks plan to construct an abbey, based on the plan of Notre Dame de la Grande Trappe, in Soligny-la-Trappe. Ten French monks take up residence in the wooded moors of the Kempen, on the ancient road between Antwerp and Turnhout.
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