Reviewing an Abbaye ale just now, I thought I'd ask Claude (my AI buddy) about the abbey ale controversy. And he produced some interesting stuff, some that I used in my review. "Here is the latest AI scoop on Belgian brewers using the abbey branding. 84 brewers at last count in the middle of this decade. However as of the last reliable count in 2012, only 18 of them had actual contracts with abbeys and, presumably, paid them money. (Sources: Michael Jackson, Garrett Oliver and The Union of Belgian Brewers.)"
Sing it with me: “Look for the Abbey label, when…” I suppose only those BAs who are more ‘mature’ will get the reference to singing a song about a label. Anyway: “Certified Belgian Abbey Beer is a designation created in 1999 by the Union of Belgian Brewers to identify beers brewed in the tradition of monasteries, either under license from an existing abbey or, in some cases, a defunct one. These beers are marked by a "Recognised Belgian Abbey Beer" logo featuring a beer glass in front of a window.” The way to know if the beer is an ‘authentic’ Abbey Ale is via the logo/label. Cheers!
The 1960s Ad Men called the songs a "jingle." Although I don't remember the Belgian Brothers going that advertising route. At least, not yet! Seriously now... my next-to-last review was an Abbaye D'Aulne Blond and it noted that Brasserie VDS was using it properly.... but hoped they (all brewers playing on the Abbey tradition) were paying royalties, which doesn't always happen and, I'd think, gets you a quick ticket to Hell.
Yes. Also VDS uses the logo on their website, even brags about it. Thanks. I will look for it more often now. A Sante' or Gezondheid (depending on what side of the cultural divide the brewer is on.)
Controversy is a big word Abdijbier / Bière d'abbaye / Abbey Ale etc. carries no legal significance and is not protected as such. Anyone can use the term. The logo indeed means in theory that a licensing fee is paid to an abbey or foundation. I doubt there is any control over the certification mark. It’s also such a vague non-style that I wouldn’t even know how it could even be legally defined.
