Trappist beer (dubbel and tripel)
Term from the Brauwerkstatt brewing glossary, category “Beer styles”.
Explanation
Beer from monasteries of the Trappist order. Only beers brewed at the abbey under the supervision of the monks may carry the “Authentic Trappist Product” logo; the income supports the monastery and charitable causes. Well-known styles are the dark, malty dubbel (6–7.5 % ABV) and the pale, strong tripel (7.5–9.5 % ABV).
Test your knowledge
Which animal decorates the label of the Trappist beer Orval?
- A billy goat
- A lion with a crown
- A trout with a ring
Show answer
Correct: A trout with a ring. Legend has it that a trout brought Countess Mathilda her lost wedding ring. She named the place “Val d’Or”.
What is special about the bottles of the Trappist beer Westvleteren?
- They are golden
- They are made of wood
- They have no label
Show answer
Correct: They have no label. The monks only brew as much as they need to live on. The beer is mainly sold directly at the abbey.
In which country is “Orval”?
- Belgium
- Iceland
- United Kingdom
Show answer
Correct: Belgium. Legend has it that Countess Mathilda of Tuscany lost her wedding ring in a spring, and a trout brought it back. She named the place “Val d’Or”, golden valley. The trout with the ring is still the emblem of the Trappist beer Orval.