Westmalle Brewery
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| Brouwerij Westmalle | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Westmalle Belgium |
| Year opened | 1836 |
| Annual production | 120,000 hL (2004) |
| Active Beers | |
| Westmalle Trappist Dubbel | Dubbel |
| Westmalle Trappist Tripel | Tripel |
| Westmalle Extra | Belgian pale ale |
Westmalle Brewery (Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle) is a Belgian trappist brewery located in the abbey of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hart ("Our Lady of the Sacred Heart") in Westmalle, Belgium. It produces three trappist beers:
- Westmalle Dubbel, a 7% ABV Dubbel.
- Westmalle Tripel, a 9.5% ABV Tripel.
- Westmalle Extra, a 5% ABV Belgian Pale Ale, only available at the monastery.
The abbey also produces milk and cheese.
[edit] History
The abbey was founded in 1794 but the community was not elevated to the rank of Trappist abbey until April 22, 1836. The first beer was served on December 10 of the same year. Local sales began in 1856, and sales to traders commenced in 1921.
Westmalle has brewed a dark beer since 1856, and the current Dubbel is derived from a recipe first brewed in 1926.
In 1934, the brewery developed the first Tripel style beer, and the Westmalle is now considered the prime example of the style.
The brewery was remodeled in 1991. It currently has a bottling capacity of 45,000 bottles per hour, and yearly output of 120,000 hL (in 2004).
