Westvleteren beer sales

Calling to the abbey can be very frustrating. A lot of times you can't get through...
But if you are coming over in june/july, you can't order yet. You can order one week in advance according to their schedule, found here : http://users.telenet.be/sintsixtus/sintsixtus/bierverkoopactueel.htm . There's also mentioned what Westy will be on sale (12, 8 or blond).

 

Let me know if you want to trade some american beers for Westvleteren ... i got some :-)

 

If you're dialing from outside Belgium, drop the zero before 70 -- so, +32-70-etc. And pray. At least a full rosary.

 

The schedule is here:
http://users.telenet.be/sintsixtus/sintsixtus/bierverkoopactueel.htm

Left column is what hours to call, right column is when you will be scheduled to pickup. I've got in after four calls, and also well over 100. It's just hit or miss.

There is a cafe next to the brewery where you can buy 1 or 2 sixpacks of beer, but it's not guaranteed to be the 12.

 

Yes, 'In De Vrede'. But there's not always beer on sale.
But you can be sure to drink it there, cause they always serve it.

 

I have been fortunate to buy beer at In De Verde each time I've been. Chances seem good that you can always do that, but you just don't know if they will be selling their Blond, 8 or 12.

 

The beers are NOT always on sale. There's an 80% chance they are.
I live about 15 miles from there, so I go there quite a lot...

 

If it is too difficult for you, you can buy Westvleteren in Bruxelles. I bought a Westy XII there once, in a place called Comptoir de Saveurs. They also have blonde and 8 there.
That being said, a trip to the holy grail is surely an experience, one that I still need to do.

 

This may be a a stupid question, but if In de Vrede is closed, does that mean the Abbey is closed to potential reservations/pickups as well? I'm coming in September and the cafe will be closed the entire time I'll be there. As of now we're thinking of taking the train everywhere, but if the Abbey will be open then I'd consider renting a car so I can have it available for a pickup.

 

If In De Vrede is closed, that doesn't mean that the abbey pick ups are closed too. If you have a reservation for 2 crates, you can always go and pick them up at the appointed time. Be aware that they will ask during the reservation phone call for the license plate of the car. Maybe it will not be necessary if you tell them that you're American and will rent a car...

 

There is no way for you to know until the week prior. Please look at the website (linked in other posts) to get an idea how it works. The week prior, they will tell you what days (usually 2 or3 per week) they will open their 4 hour reservation window for a particular beer. IF you get through, they will give you a day and hour (slightly negotiable) the following week to pick up. De Vrede hours are more regular if you plan to just swing by for a beer at the cafe and try to buy 6 of whatever might be available.

 

My hope was to just swing by De Vrede, but unfortunately it's closed for the time we'll actually be in Belgium. :/

 

In de Vrede is a nice place because u can drink Westvleteren Blond - 8 - 12 there and buy some amazing cheese there. But, 'In de Vrede' is also the most lazy bar in Belgium, I'm not sure but there must be some other bars where u can drink all the Westvleteren's.

 

I'm in the same boat too - heading there in mid-September and In de Vrede is showing all red (closed for most of the month). Was really hoping to score a couple bottles without having to trek over to Brussels because my time in country is limited. Do any other stores or bars/restaurants local to the monastery carry the 12 besides In de Vrede?

 

Westy is all over shelves in Brugge/Bruges when I was there last year.

 

For sale in some brussels night shop for ... 12 euro

 

It's all over Brussels, but prices range from 11-20 Euros. Best deal I've seen is a bar called Monk that has it for 9.5, although it's on-site only.

 

Where's Thijs when you need him?