Westvletern - Victim of its own Success
The abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvletern [thanks to max for the link] makes some of the last authentic Trappist ale. Most Trappist abbeys often lease their names to brewing companies have hired lay people to do the work, and there is a suspicion among critics that marketers have too much sway in certain abbeys. But the Westvletern monks still do their own brewery work and make the traditional style. When I learned of the abbey from The Art of Eating, one could buy the beer only at a tiny shop across the road in the small town. The monks sold the beer in unlabeled bottles distinguished by bottle cap color. A short time after that, you could buy it in small quantities at Monk's Cafe. Finally I saw it at Toronado. It was expensive, but I didn't care. It was worth it. I still get it when I can.
The beer grew in popularity. Too much, according to this article. The abbey has sold out of their beer after Westvletern 12 was named the best beer in the world. At first, the article suggests that the monks have stopped production, but the rest of the piece makes it sound like the monks are just sold out for now. Presumably it will be in stock again once the monks make more, but they aren't going to increase production to appease the demand, as Chimay did. From the article: "'We are not brewers, we are monks. We brew beer to be able to afford being monks,' the father abbot said on the abbey's Web site." (they have a web site?)
I'm willing to go without, rather than ask the monks to change their ways. Some things are worth the wait. There's a shortage of perfect beers in this world. It would be a pity to damage theirs.
Technorati tags: news | food & drink | beer | westvletern
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