A Brief History of La Trappe Brewery, the Netherlands
La Trappe Brewery (or officially, Brouwerij De Koningshoeven) was founded by an order of monks in the late 19th century and was established to generate funds for the construction and upkeep of the brotherhood’s monastery. Although the monks began brewing out of necessity, their small enterprise eventually developed into an internationally recognised brewery.
In 1881, an order of Trappist monks emigrated from Northern France to Berkel-Enschot, the Netherlands (near Tilburg). The brotherhood bought three homesteads outside of the village and then, promptly converted these rural dwellings into a simple provincial monastery. After mainly relying on sustenance farming and donations for several years, they constructed a brewery in order to improve their financial situation and create enough money to build an abbey. They reached their target within four years and completed the aforementioned abbey in 1894. This meant that they could finally leave their older rural dwellings and live together inside the newer stone abbey.
During the early 20th century, the brewery developed into a medium-sized enterprise and could bottle around 6,000 beers per hour by 1936. In the 1960s, La Trappe released many additional types of beer, alongside its signature blond, and began producing batches of pilsners, bocks and Dortmunders. Around 10 years later, the monks started experimenting with stronger beers and created the brewery’s famous Belgian-style Dubbel (7%) and an even heavier brew called La Trappe Trippel (8%). The brewery continued producing more-or-less the same selection of seasonal and regular beers until the early 1990s when it introduced another potent brew to its repertoire, La Trappe Quadruple (10%). Possibly to counterbalance its stronger beers, the brewery added a light and fruity witbier to its collection in 2003 named La Trappe Witte Trappist (5.5%).
Although the brewery has modernised over the years, it is still owned and managed by the monks. As with every other Trappist Brewery, La Trappe doesn’t make beer for profit, but instead uses every penny it earns from brewing to fund charitable programs and raise money for the monastery. Today, it is possible to take tours around the brewery to learn more about its fascinating history and visit its onsite taproom where every La Trappe beer is served on draft.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.