Thoughts on visiting Trappist breweries in Dec?

Discussion in 'Belgium' started by NClifestyle, Nov 7, 2014.

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  1. NClifestyle

    NClifestyle Initiate (0) May 26, 2005 North Carolina

    Hey gang, any of you folks have any good info or links on visiting the monasteries in December? I know several may not be open, and other are maybe only available to visit with a tour? I'm heading over to Belgium on 12/10 and am just now making a plan of action. Thanks so much for any links, ideas or previous experiences. I appreciate the help.

    Cheers...
     
    #1 NClifestyle, Nov 7, 2014
  2. ventura78

    ventura78 Pundit (972) Nov 22, 2003 Massachusetts

    This is a good place to stay when visiting Chimay

    http://www.chimay.com/en/hotel.html?IDC=295

    After our visit there we drove to Rochefort. If you knock on their door and ask them if they have tours, they will probably say no, but may pose with you for a picture, and sign your great beers of Belgium book. Also, you may get a beer sample to take with you.
     
    #2 ventura78, Nov 7, 2014
  3. NClifestyle

    NClifestyle Initiate (0) May 26, 2005 North Carolina

    Thanks for the link Ventrua! Anyone else? Got any good info or recon? Cheers...
     
    #3 NClifestyle, Nov 8, 2014
  4. Stevenwings

    Stevenwings Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2014 Belgium

    Problem is the trappists are not really to visit... you can taste beers in a local degustation room and thats it.... at Orval you can visit the old ruines and Chimay has a kind of museum... Westmalle you can try the Extra 4 and Achel has 2 beers not possible to buy in shops...And westvleteren well its Westvleteren :slight_smile:
     
    #4 Stevenwings, Nov 8, 2014
  5. ManforallSaisons

    ManforallSaisons Pooh-Bah (1,554) Mar 20, 2008 Belgium
    Pooh-Bah

    At Westvleteren you can go to services and they have a sort of museum about monastic life. As mentioned about Orval, you can visit and even stay there, but it's set up for travelers, mainly in the vein of religious retreats. That, plus the other details above, is about the extent of it for visits. Unless you take holy orders.
     
    #5 ManforallSaisons, Nov 8, 2014
  6. Stevenwings

    Stevenwings Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2014 Belgium

    If you really come over for beers i would visit also other breweries or beerplaces :wink:
     
    #6 Stevenwings, Nov 9, 2014
  7. NClifestyle

    NClifestyle Initiate (0) May 26, 2005 North Carolina

    Thanks gang, good info.
    Stevenwings - that's what I'm seeing, that there might be a cafe near the place, but few if any visits. You mention other breweries or beerplaces. Have any recommendations? Definitely there for beer, will likely be visiting Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges.
    Man for all, thanks for the thoughts. Certainly not taking holy orders!

    Cheers...
     
    #7 NClifestyle, Nov 10, 2014
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