Austria set to lose its only Trappist Brewery

In a statement issued earlier this month, abbot general Dom Bernardus Peeters said the remaining four monks at Engelszell could no longer continue in their endeavours to maintain the Abbey.

He added they were now looking for a “suitable, preferably Catholic” solution for the church and brewing facility on site.

The dissolution of the chapter means Austria will likely lose its only authentic Trappist Brewery. Under the strict regulations of The Cistercian Trappist order, only beer produced under the supervision of Trappist monks may bear the protected ‘Authentic Trappist Product’ label.

According to the International Trappist Association (ITA), beer, cheese or other goods can bear the “authentic Trappist product” label only if they are made inside an abbey under the supervision of monks or nuns. All profits form their sale must be diverted to the upkeep of the religious community, the wider Trappist order and designated charities.

If no Trappist monks are found to take over Engelszell Abbey, just nine Trappist breweries will remain. Five of these are in Belgium, (Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren), two are in the Netherlands (La Trappe and Zundert), with one each in the UK (Tynt Meadow) and Italy (Tre Fontane), respectively.

The future of Trappist brewing remains uncertain, with many of the monks reporting they are struggling to find new recruits to adopt their practices amid rising secularism.

Just Drinks