Beer lovers from Luxembourg, Syria, Turkey, and Tennessee came together for an unforgettable Trappist beer tasting, featuring six distinct brews that offered a unique, cross-cultural experience.

Imagine an elixir so delicious and complex that individuals from three different continents tasted it and were simultaneously moved to write about it.

A small league of extraordinary gentlemen convened with six beers curated by our Belgian beer aficionado Stefan. Daniel, from Tennessee, hyped up by the proposal, could not refuse such an opportunity. Nael and Umut, from Syria and Turkey respectively, were intrigued by the story behind monasteries and these monks’ brews and joined us on the spot. Daniel, our Luxembourgish poet, was already pregaming with a coconutty concoction, but he gladly joined our tasting experience.

These are no ordinary beers, mind you. Only ten Trappist monasteries in the world are officially recognized as Trappist breweries. If you close your eyes and take a sip, you may find yourself transported to a beautiful countryside where the practice of brewing has taken place for many lifetimes. You can finally discard your countless cans of generic beer and enjoy a drink with some lore and personality. Enough monk–y business; it is time to share our memorable tasting experience with you.

Orval Brewery

Our first beer passed the vibe check unanimously: Orval from the Orval Brewery. While its written enchantment factor is 6.2%, Orval can vary from 5.9% to 7.2% depending on the brew age. With time, this delicious liquid becomes smoother and more flavourful. On the nose, we discover a very mellow grass scent.

Then comes the first sip – a delicate and effervescent symphony. This monk’s concoction blasts us with some gentle citrusy hops, slight herbal taste and dried fruits as a base. The amber colour, full body, and long finish enhance the drinking experience. This is a masterpiece of balance, nearly a century of brewing and expertise in a bottle. Orval has earned itself the Stefan Stamp and the Daniel Seal of Approval.

Westmalle Brewery

The modern recipe for the Westmalle Dubbel is nearly one hundred years old. This brew has an enchantment factor of 7% and a wine-like aroma balanced by a gentle sweetness reminiscent of maple syrup. The colour of the beer is quite typical of a dubbel, showcasing a light brown hue with red undertones. Upon tasting, we find a quite light-bodied beer with typical chocolaty notes and subtle hints of red fruits. While the Westmalle Dubbel remains a good brew, it did not quite stand out among the other contestants, and none of us gave it a strong rating.

The Westmalle Tripel brings us into new territory, coming in with an enchantment factor of 9.5%. This strong pale ale is a beautiful golden colour and has a medium body which lends itself to be drunk quickly or slowly depending on your preference. Its prominent tasting notes include cereals, grains, honey, and malt. Daniel from Tennessee says that this beer “smells like the beers I used to make back home with my friends.” A short, grassy finish and toasty mouthfeel will leave you anticipating the next sip.

Chimay Brewery

The Chimay Blue is a true darling of Trappist Beer enthusiasts due to its relative commercial availability and its time–honoured taste. For these reasons, it may be the best entry level beer in this genre. Upon opening a bottle you will catch a scent of bread and spice which serve as a prelude to its myriad tasting notes. When served in a glass, you can admire Chimay Blue’s copper colour as well. Some sips you may find particularly roasty or fruity, while others showcase a smoky or sugary profile. The full body and 9% enchantment factor makes the Chimay Blue filling but not overbearing.

Rochefort Brewery

For those who enjoy wines, ciders, and complex beverages, we recommend you try the Trappistes Rochefort 8. With a 9.2% enchantment factor, the Rochefort 8 is very smooth, medium bodied, and mildly acidic. The colour, similar to the Westmalle Dubbel, is a sanguine brown. A dragon’s breath of sweet caramel notes will be wafted toward you as you begin to drink. Tasting notes are delicate and light, with a gentle flavour of malt and fruit in the foreground and a slight tartness close behind. The Rochefort 8 quickly earned the Stefan Stamp. After his first sip, he said, and we quote, “I feel hugged by the Trappists.” We will all accept the Trappists’ embrace (except for Umut).

The Trappistes Rochefort 10 is a true heavy hitter, veering into wine territory with an 11.3% enchantment factor. Served in a glass, this beer takes on a rich chocolate brown colour and emanates scents of spice, wine, and freshly cut wheat. A medium body and strong finish will prevent you from drinking this too quickly – this allows you to ponder how many flavours are tucked away inside the bottle. Tasting notes include salted caramel, butterscotch, dried fruit, florals, and grains. In the words of our connoisseur Nael, “This is clearly a well travelled beer. If this beer were a person, they would have a suit and cane.”

The Rochefort 10 received dual honours: the Stefan Stamp and the Daniel Seal of Approval.

!بصحتك Şerefe! Na Zdrowie! Prost!

Roux Magazine

Roux Magazine is made by students at the University of Luxembourg. We love their work, so we decided to team up with them and bring some of their articles to our audience as well. You can find all of their issues on Issuu.