An 8th Trappist Brewery Coming in Austria (Engelszell Stift)

For as long as I can remember the craft beer world has know 7 Official Trappist Breweries…

Bières de Chimay (1863)

Brasserie d’Orval (1931),

Brasserie de Rochefort (1595),

Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle (1836),

Brouwerij Westvleteren/St Sixtus (1838),

Brouwerij der Sint-Benedictusabdij de Achelse Kluis/Achel (1998) &

Brouwerij de Koningshoeven/La Trappe (1884—and the only Trappist Brewery Outside Belgium.) Now I’ll admit that Achel was added in 1998, but just look at how long the others have been around.

Word comes today from ES Press Release, that they have applied to the Trappist Organization in Belgium to become the 8th Trappist brewery.  The monastery is located in Austria, just east of Munich Germany and is called Engelszell Stift.  The Engelszell Stift monastery was founded in 1293 and apparently is looking to start brewing in an effort to support the restoration of old paintings & frescos.  A final decision is expected in 4-5 weeks.

For the official (translated) press release from Engelszell Stift…

STIFT Engelszell – Austria’s only Trappist monastery – has decided about a year ago to build an own microbrewery in their farm yard in Engelhartszell (Upper Austria). Worldwide, there are currently only 7 Trappist breweries, where this extraordinary strong beer is brewed.

The right to this special beer brewing and result in the name "Trappist beer", is bound by strict rules, organisation I.T.A. based in Belgium controlled by the international Trappist.

Currently, intensive building work in progress are IM STIFT Engelszell, first broths are planned for the next few weeks. After the subsequent fermentation and ripening period with a further 6 weeks duration, nothing in the way should be this first and only Austrian Trappist Trappist beer tasting. STIFT Engelszell will inform in due time!