Brouwerij de Koningshoeven

Infobox Brewery
name = Brouwerij de Koningshoeven


caption =
location = Berkel-Enschot The Netherlands
owner =
opened = 1884
production = 145,000 hL
active_beers =
seasonal_beers =
other_beers =

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. Despite this goal, the brewery was run as a commercial enterprise. The abbey owned several bars in the area and produced lager under its own "Trappist" brand as well as several private labels. In 1969, the abbey licenced the brewing operations to "Artois" (now InBev). In 1980 the deal with Artois ended, and the monks went back to brewing themselves, this time a top fermented beer which had been made in limited quantities since the 1950's only. Over time the brewery introduced more varieties, first with the "Dubbel" and "Tripel" in 1987, then in 1992 they introduced their "Blond". Between 1993 and 2000, the brewery also marketed a variety called "Enkel". The brewery also produces the world's only Trappist witbier. The brewery also used to produce the Jopen beer.

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 set up 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. [ [http://www.beer-pages.com/protz/features/la-trappe.htm Beer Pages] Roger Protz, "La Trappe back in the fold", Jan 2006. Retrieved 7 October 2008.]

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" (7% ABV)
* "La Trappe Tripel" (8% ABV)
* "La Trappe Quadrupel" (10% ABV) [Some brewers and beer writers within the United States use 'Quadrupel' or 'Quad' to refer to high alcohol beers reminiscent of some Trappist, abbey, or Belgian-style beers.]
* "La Trappe Witte Trappist" (5.5% ABV)
* "La Trappe Bockbier" (7% ABV) (Seasonal)

The "Blond" and the "Enkel" are the monks' table beer, but on certain holidays they may drink any of the varieties.

Apart from the La Trappe brand, the brewery produces "Tilburg's Dutch Brown Ale" mainly for export.

The water for the beer is drawn from five 200-metre deep wells on the abbey grounds, and all beers except the "Blond" are bottle conditioned. The spent grain remaining after the wort is filtered from the mash 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.

ee also

*Trappist beer
*Trappists

References

Notes

Bibliography

*Tim Webb and Stan Hieronymus, "Brew Like a Monk: Trappist, Abbey, and Strong Belgian Ales", Brewers Publications (4 Nov 2005), ISBN 093738187X

External links

* [http://www.latrappe.nl/index.php La Trappe Trappistenbier]