Belgian Monks Run Out of the World's Best Beer

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Monks at the Saint Sixtus Abbey in Belgium have halted sales of their renowned Westvleteren 12 beer after it was voted the best in the world, leading to a complete sell-out. The abbey, home to about 30 Cistercian and Trappist monks, emphasizes its primary focus on monastic life rather than brewing for profit. The father abbot stated that they brew beer to support their way of life, not to expand production to meet demand. The abbey's "beer phone" announced the closure of their shop due to the lack of stock. Despite the beer's popularity, the monks remain committed to their values, prioritizing their monastic duties over commercial interests. The discussion also touched on the broader context of beer culture in Belgium, with participants sharing their experiences and preferences for various Belgian beers.
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BRUSSELS (Reuters, Aug. 12) - Monks at a Belgian abbey have been forced to stop selling their famous beer after it was voted the best in the world and was promptly sold out.

The abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren in western Belgium is home to some 30 Cistercian and Trappist monks who lead a life of seclusion, prayer, manual labor -- and beer-brewing. Sounds good to me. :biggrin:

A survey of thousands of beer enthusiasts from 65 countries on the RateBeer Web site (www.ratebeer.com) in June rated the Westvleteren 12 beer as the world's best.

But the abbey only has a limited brewing capacity, and was not able to cope with the beer's sudden popularity.

''Our shop is closed because all our beer has been sold out,'' said a message on the abbey's answering machine, which it calls the ''beer phone.''

And the abbey has no intention of boosting its capacity to satisfy market demand.

''We are not brewers, we are monks. We brew beer to be able to afford being monks,'' the father abbot said on the abbey's Web site.

Monk Mark Bode told De Morgen daily: ''Outsiders don't understand why we are not raising production. But for us life in the abbey comes first, not the brewery.''
 
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Ahh, our great Belgium country... I know, it is all on the news here, but do not worry, that beer will continue to appear on the market

marlon
 
I guess sometimes you just have to settle for second-best. Who sells that one? :biggrin:

True, marlon, they're not shutting down, they probably just can't take new orders when they know it's going to be a while before they have more made.

Besides, they probably need to keep some reserves for themselves to make the secluded, celibate life survivable. :-p
 
If I remember the story correctly, there was an order of nuns famous for their chocolate, but after a time the chocolate production began to drop. A visiting Bishop found a bunch of overweight nuns addicted to chocolate, so the treat was banned for all nuns for some number of years.
 
Nuns and chocolate - now of whom does that remind me? I seem to remember guns had something to do with them. :wink:
 
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Ivan Seeking said:
If I remember the story correctly, there was an order of nuns famous for their chocolate, but after a time the chocolate production began to drop. A visiting Bishop found a bunch of overweight nuns addicted to chocolate, so the treat was banned for all nuns for some number of years.
Well, some consider chocolate a substitute for sex. I see no reason to settle for just one or the other though. They go together so well![/color]
 
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yomamma said:
is moonbear that grumpy looking one, second from the left?
Rut roh. (I wouldn't want to be yomamma right now :rolleyes: )
 
  • #10
yomamma said:
is moonbear that grumpy looking one, second from the left?

Time to say your prayers young man! :devil:
 
  • #11
A list of top 10 beers from around the world (from last year) -

Trappistes Rochefort 10
Westvleteren Abt. 12
Chimay Bleu
Duvel
Orval
Delirium Tremens
Koningshoeven (dubbel or tripel)
Westmalle
St. Bernardus Abt. 12
Maredsous 10
La Chouffe

I like the Chimays, and I looking at trying them all - next time I'm in Belgium. :biggrin:

I see that yomamma is being young and foolish. :rolleyes:
 
  • #12
Astronuc said:
A list of top 10 beers from around the world (from last year) -

Trappistes Rochefort 10
Westvleteren Abt. 12
Chimay Bleu
Duvel
Orval
Delirium Tremens
Koningshoeven (dubbel or tripel)
Westmalle
St. Bernardus Abt. 12
Maredsous 10
La Chouffe

I like the Chimays, and I looking at trying them all - next time I'm in Belgium. :biggrin:

I see that yomamma is being young and foolish. :rolleyes:

I have tried all of these beers several times and i say Duvel rocks, well and the Trappiste also, and the Westmalle prior to a bottle of Westvleteren...errr i like 'em all

marlon
 
  • #13
marlon said:
I have tried all of these beers several times and i say Duvel rocks, well and the Trappiste also, and the Westmalle prior to a bottle of Westvleteren...errr i like 'em all

marlon

Gentleman,
It's your turn now!
You look quite experienced with beers!
Can you give me 10 reasons why beer is better than woman!
 
  • #14
heman said:
Gentleman,
It's your turn now!
You look quite experienced with beers!
Can you give me 10 reasons why beer is better than woman!
NO!

No beer is better than woman!

Nothing is better than women! :smile: :cool:
 
  • #15
Astronuc said:
NO!

No beer is better than woman!

Nothing is better than women! :smile: :cool:
Rats, I guess I should keep my 50 Reasons Beer is Better than Men to myself. :redface:
 

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