Only 12 countries in the world have abbeys with the Trappist seal on their beers

Although some beer styles, such as Dubbel and Tripel, are common among monasteries, Trappist beer is not a specific style. Instead, it is a “seal of authenticity” that indicates the origin of the product.

The seal was created in 1997 by the International Trappist Association called ATP, which stands for “Authentic Trappist Product”.

A “brand” has been established to ensure that the term Trappist is not used on products that do not officially belong to the order and do not follow certain rules.

The ATP license has a duration of five years and is issued for a product or a category of products. Currently, only 12 countries in the world have Trappist abbeys with the seal granted by the International Trappist Association (AIT). Find out what they are!

Belgium: is the country with the largest number of Trappist abbeys. Some of the best known include Westvleteren, Chimay (pictured), Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Achel.

Netherlands: has 2 abbeys: Zundert and La Trappe (photo), the latter which stands out for offering a greater variety of products with the ATP seal, in addition to beer, such as cheese, bread, chocolate and even honey.

Austria: has only one abbey, the Stift Engelszell.

USA: St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts is the first and only Trappist abbey in North America to brew beer.

Italy: The Tre Fontane Abbey in Rome also produces Trappist beer.

England: Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, located in Leicestershire, is known for producing Trappist beer.

Spain: Cerveza Cardeña Abbey was the first in Spain to produce beer with the Trappist seal.

France: The Trappist brand Mont des Cats is the most traditional in France.

According to the Association (AIT), the product must follow certain criteria to obtain the ATP seal; They are: the products must be made within the walls of the abbey; the monks (or nuns) must supervise the entire production chain; and the profits must return to the monastic community or for charitable purposes.

The term Trappist refers to a member of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, also known as the Trappist Order.

It is a Catholic monastic order that follows a rule of life based on the teachings of Saint Benedict, known as the Rule of Saint Benedict, with particular attention to austerity, silence and prayer.

The Trappist Order has its roots in the Cistercian reform movement that began in the 17th century at La Trappe Abbey in Normandy, France.

Trappists are known for their simple and austere lifestyle. Three traditional monastic vows follow: poverty, chastity and obedience.

The aim of the reform was to return to the more rigorous and austere practices of monastic life, as initially established by Saint Benedict. Hence the name “Trappist”, derived from La Trappe.

Additionally, many Trappists take a fourth vow of stability, pledging to remain in a particular monastery for the rest of their lives.

The practice of silence is a hallmark of Trappist life, even if the monks are not completely silent, they keep speech to a minimum to promote an environment of contemplation and prayer.

Trappist monks also engage in manual labor, producing various products such as cheese, wine, beer, bread, and other items that help support their monasteries.

These activities are carried out with great care and quality, following the monastic tradition of “Ora et Labora” (Pray and Work).