Thanks to Liselot Caura’s incredible connection, this visit was years in the making. Back in 2015, Liselot had the chance to interview Westmalle’s marketing manager Manu at the Horeca Expo. Fast forward to today, and we at BeerSecret are honored to be personally invited for an exclusive tour of this prestigious Trappist brewery. The BeerSecret team is honored to have received a personal invitation for an exclusive tour of Westmalle Abbey, officially known as the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Westmalle, nestled in the quiet province of Antwerp, is the oldest Trappist brewery outside of France. It’s not open to the public, which made our behind-the-scenes visit all the more exciting. What we experienced was not just a walk through a brewery, but a deep dive into living, brewing history.
🍺 Tradition Meets Precision
We were guided by Manu, who welcomed us into the abbey and explained how they continuously adapt without compromising tradition. Although monastic brewing has centuries-old roots, Westmalle isn’t afraid of innovation. New brewing kettles were introduced in 2016 and fully implemented by 2018, bringing computer precision to what was once manual labor. The transition involved rigorous testing to ensure the beer retained its iconic taste, and it did. But now, it’s even more accurate and consistent.
🐄 Cows, Cheese & Clean Water
You know a brewery is special when it produces everything in-house, and we mean everything. The monks keep their own cows, make their own cheese, and even draw well water directly from the abbey grounds. Not only is this water tested weekly, but it also supports a small aquatic ecosystem, fish included!
It’s the kind of detail that makes Westmalle stand apart. Where most would outsource, Westmalle sustains.
🌿 Hop Cones Over Pellets
While many modern breweries use hop pellets for convenience, Westmalle sticks to whole hop cones, preserving more delicate aromas and natural oils. These cones are stored at 0°C in a special refrigerated space to maintain peak quality year-round. Each bale lasts about a year, and the freshness is non-negotiable.
🛢️ Fermentation the Westmalle Way
Our tour continued to the fermentation tanks, smaller and wider than your average industrial setup. Why? Because that shape helps limit internal pressure and protects the yeast, making sure every drop has the real Westmalle character. Each tank holds up to 80,000 liters and ferments for about a week.
This small detail is a huge reason why the Dubbel and Tripel remain so pure and beloved. Precision isn’t just in the brewing, it’s in the design of the tools themselves.
🍻 The Local Triptrap & Antwerp Habits
Westmalle invented the modern Tripel style in 1934, which went on to influence Belgian brewing globally it’s known as “the mother of all Tripels”. While Westmalle Tripel (9.5% ABV) dominates their production (about 70% total), their Dubbel (7% ABV) remains equally revered. Here’s something fun we learned! in bars across Antwerp, ordering “a Trappist” usually means you’ll get a Dubbel, unless you specify otherwise. But if you’re in the know, you ask for a Triptrap, a local secret blend of Westmalle Dubbel and Tripel. It’s an off-menu favorite!
Of course, no visit would be complete without tasting the full portfolio.
We started with Westmalle Extra — the lowest-alcohol Belgian Trappist beer — a pleasantly refreshing brew with a gentle bitterness and remarkable balance.
Next came the Dubbel, for many beer lovers the favorite brown beer in the world. Few beers achieve such a refined sweet-and-bitter harmony as this one.
And then… the Tripel — the original Belgian Tripel. A beautifully full-bodied beer with elegant fruity notes and a subtle sweetness. Do you know which aroma is typical for a Belgian Tripel? Open a bottle and take a moment. Does it ring a bell? That distinctive hint of banana comes from the yeast.
Now… simply enjoy. 🍻
🙌 Why It was so special to us
For us at BeerSecret, this wasn’t just a brewery tour, it was a moment of connection, curiosity, and respect. We got to see the heartbeat of an iconic brand that chooses to evolve without losing its soul. From cows and clean water to age-old recipes and digital upgrades, everything was steeped in meaning. Unfortunately, the brewery visit is exclusively on invitation for people in the Beer industry. But we’ve created immersive Full Day Tours that give you a similar behind-the-scenes experience.
✅ Want to enjoy a beer right next to a Trappist brewery like Westvleteren?
✅ Or maybe you’d rather tour an iconic lambic brewery and meet the brewers in person?
CLICK HERE to explore our Full Day Tours and pick your favorite!
Cheers,
Rafael
The BeerSecret Team
