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De Koningshoeven Brewery (Brouwerij de Koningshoeven) is a Dutch Trappist brewery founded in 1884 within the walls of the abbey Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven in Berkel-Enschot (near Tilburg).
History
The abbey opened a brewery inside the monastery in 1884 in order to finance the monastery and contribute to charitable causes. In 1969, the abbey licenced the brewing operations to Artois (now InBev), and lager was brewed. In 1980 the deal with Artois ended, and the monks went back to brewing themselves, this time a top fermented beer. Over time the brewery introduced more varieties, first with the Dubbel and Tripel in 1987, then in 1992 they introduced their Blonde. Between 1993 and 2000, the brewery also marketed a variety called Enkel. The brewery also produces the world's only Trappist witbier.
The brewery started exporting in 1985, and in 1989 the brewery was modernised.
From 1980 until 1999, the brewery was largely run by the monks. Due to the difficulty of the aging monks continuing to operate the brewery, a limited liability company was setup as a subsidiary of the large commercial brewer, Bavaria. In 1999 the new company began to take over day to day operations, renting the buildings and equipment from the abbey.
As a result of this agreement, a dispute arose with the International Trappist Association, the body that governs the labelling of goods as Trappist. They claimed that this new method of operation was against the regulations that permitted the beer to display the Authentic Trappist Product logo. Whilst the beer continued to be brewed within the abbey walls, the arrangement with Bavaria was felt to be too commercialised. As a result, the brewery withdrew their use of the logo on 1 December 1999, however the brewery continued to label the beer as Trappistenbier.
After a lengthy study by all parties, and a review of the agreement between the abbey and brewery, the beers were granted the right to display the logo again as of September 9, 2005. As part of this settlement, the monks have taken a more active control of the brewery day to day operations, working several hours each day.
Beers
The beers and the brewery are usually marketed under the name La Trappe, however in some markets such as the USA, the Koningshoeven name is used. It is the only producer of Trappist beer outside of Belgium, and produces four regular and two seasonal beers:
- La Trappe Blond (6.5% ABV)
- La Trappe Dubbel (6.5% ABV)
- La Trappe Tripel (8% ABV)
- La Trappe Quadrupel (10% ABV) (Seasonal)
- La Trappe Witte Trappist (5.5% ABV)
- La Trappe Bockbier (7% ABV) (Seasonal)
The Blonde and the Enkel are the monks' table beer, but on certain holidays they may drink any of the varieties.
The water for the beer is drawn from five 200-metre deep wells on the abbey grounds, and all beers except the Blonde are bottle conditioned. The filtered mash from the wort is used to feed the abbey's own herd of cows.
The brewery
Of the seven trappist breweries, Koningshoeven is the most commercialised. The brewery is currently operated by De Koningshoeven NV, a subsidiary of the Bavaria Brewery, but the buildings and equipment are owned by the abbey. The monks of the abbey are the ultimate authority on the brewing process, however the secular company runs the business operations. The abbey also houses a bar and shop/museum, the latter of which is staffed by a monk.
At times, the brewery has allowed its spare capacity to be used for brewing of other beers. Wieckse Witte and Chimay have at one stage been brewed in the abbey.
As with all other Trappist breweries, the brewery only exists in order to finance the monastery, not for profit or any other commercial reason.
Originally the brewery was called de Schaapskooi, and this name is still used casually especially around the region.
See also
External links
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