Brouwerij De Koningshoeven

Take an armchair visit to a unique brewery, pub or other intoxicating venue that has a story you’ll love.

Brouwerij De Koningshoeven:

Today’s armchair visit leads to another brewery located in a monastery – Brouwerij De Koningshoeven. Brouwerij De Koningshoeven is a Dutch Trappist Brewery founded in 1884 within the walls of Koningshoeven Abbey near the city of Tilburg, Netherlands. The brewery is famous for producing a line of outstanding beers under the brand name La Trappe. In fact, most people call it La Trappe Brewery.

The Koningshoeven Brewery is one of the few Trappist breweries in the world authorized to use the ‘Authentic Trappist Product’ logo. Trappist ale must be brewed between the four walls of a Trappist monastery, under the supervision of the monastery’s monks, and part of the proceeds earmarked for charity.

Tours of the brewery are possible and just outside the abbey walls are La Trappe restaurant/tasting room, a gift shop and some beautiful gardens.

The restaurant provides indoor and outdoor seating. An excellent selection of food is on the menu.

Outdoor dining

More importantly, you can sample all nine of the world-famous La Trappe beers.

Two of my favorites are the La Trappe Tripel and the Quad.

La Trappe Tripel appears clear gold in color with a foamy white head. The beer delivers a fruity and flowery aroma and a slightly malty, sweet taste with a mildly dry and bitter finish.

La Trappe Quad appears amber-colored with a creamy head. An aroma of vanilla, raisins and banana accented with clove and nuts springs from the glass. The beer is full-bodied with a sweet malty flavor complemented with caramel and date notes. It finishes with distant hints of spices and a definite alcohol warmth.

You can also try an oak-aged version of the quad that is available exclusively at La Trappe and only in bottles. The oak adds a wood character to the aroma and taste.

Be certain to tour the gardens and visit the gift shop where you can buy the oak aged quad to take home.