A Trappist beer is a beer brewed by or under control of Trappist monks. Of the world's 171 Trappist monasteries (as of April 2005), seven produce beer (six in Belgium and one in The Netherlands). These seven breweries are authorized to label their beers with the Authentic Trappist Product logo that indicates a compliance to various rules set forth by the International Trappist Association.

There are seven Trappist breweries in the world, 6 in Belgium and one in Holland. The Belgian Trappist are Westmalle, Westvleteren, Chimay, Rochefort Orval and Achel. No other breweries are entitled by law to apply that name to there product.

Between the seven abbeys about 20 beers are brewed. All are top-fermenting, relatively to very strong, bottle conditioned ales.

Orval is the oldest of the brewing monasteries, founded in the 11the century by Benedictine Monks.

Several of these abbeys typically began producing beer for internal use, then expanded to commercial production, selling first locally before making their beer available on a larger scale.

The term 'Trappist' fell into use in the years between WW and WW II, popularized by Chimay (1850). It was Father Theodore and the famed brewing scientist Jean De Clerck developed much of the brewing theory that makes Trappist Beers what they are.

BELGIAN TRAPPIST ALES:

ORVAL
The notre dame d' Orval has a long history of destruction and reconstruction. The single beer they produce is probably the driest of the trappist ales.

CHIMAY
The most commercial of the Trappist brewing entities, this monastery has a history of taking beer production very seriously. Their 3 beers are available in a variety of sizes, including magnum bottles of Grand Reserve.

WESTMALLE
The originator of the widely imitated triple style. The abbeys full name id Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Founded in 1794 it began making beer in the early 19th century. Beer production became commercial in 1920.

WESTVLETEREN
The smallest producer of the brewing abbeys.

ROCHEFORT
Actually known as Notre Dame de Saint Remy, this monastery began brewing in 1595 - that's quite a heritage !