For the first time in its history, Westmalle Brewery is opening its doors to the public.
In September, the brewery will be open for two days, although booking is compulsory, as confirmed in a recent press release. Westmalle started brewing within the Antwerp Kempen abbey in 1836. The operations, hosted on abbey grounds, produce beers bearing the authentic Trappist product label, identical to four other Belgian abbeys (Westvleteren, Rochefort, Chimay and Orval).
Locals and Trappist beer fans have long requested the chance to visit the brewery. The monks acquiesced, and approximately 1,500 guests are expected on between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm on 25th and 26th September. Online booking opens on Wednesday.
Entry costs €12.50, with a portion of earnings going to Coda, a charitable foundation active in palliative care. A segment of the brewery’s income invariably goes towards charitable causes.
Annually, Westmalle Brewery produces about 120,000 hectolitres of Extra, Double, and Triple, a figure that has remained steady for many years. A lay crew of 50 operates the brewery under the supervision of a 17-member monk community.
Visits to Trappist breweries are extremely rare. In Belgium, only Orval Brewery occasionally opens to the public, this year on 13th and 14th September. However, all places for this event are already booked.
