Achel Brewery

Achel Brewery

Achel Brewery is a Trappist brewery located in the municipality of Hamont-Achel in Belgium. It is one of the eleven breweries worldwide that are authorized to use the "Authentic Trappist Product" label on their beers.

History

The brewery was founded in 1850 by the monks of the Trappist Abbey of Achel. The monks started brewing beer as a means of self-sufficiency and to support their monastic community. Over the years, the brewery has undergone several expansions and modernizations to meet the growing demand for their beers.

Beers

Achel Brewery produces a range of Trappist beers, known for their high quality and traditional brewing methods. The beers are brewed using only natural ingredients and follow the strict guidelines set by the International Trappist Association.

The brewery's flagship beer is Achel Trappist Extra, a strong Belgian ale with a rich and complex flavor profile. It has a deep amber color, a fruity aroma, and a balanced bitterness. Other popular beers produced by Achel Brewery include Achel Trappist Blond, Achel Trappist Bruin, and Achel Trappist Tripel.

Brewing Process

The brewing process at Achel Brewery follows traditional Trappist methods, which involve a combination of manual labor and modern brewing techniques. The monks take great care in selecting the finest ingredients, including malted barley, hops, water, and yeast.

The brewing process begins with the mashing of the malted barley, which is then mixed with hot water to extract the sugars. This mixture, known as the mash, is then transferred to a lauter tun where the liquid is separated from the solid grain particles.

The liquid, known as wort, is then boiled and hops are added at various stages to impart bitterness, flavor, and aroma to the beer. After boiling, the wort is cooled and transferred to fermentation vessels where yeast is added. The yeast ferments the sugars in the wort, converting them into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Once fermentation is complete, the beer is conditioned and matured for a period of time to allow the flavors to develop and harmonize. Finally, the beer is bottled or kegged, ready to be enjoyed by beer enthusiasts around the world.

Trappist Certification

Achel Brewery is recognized as an official Trappist brewery by the International Trappist Association. This certification ensures that the beers produced by the brewery are brewed within the walls of a Trappist monastery, under the supervision of the monks, and that the profits from the beer sales are used to support the monastic community and charitable causes.

See Also

• Trappist beer
• Belgian beer
• List of Trappist breweries