To fully appreciate the story of St. Bernardus today, one must first understand the story of its past and how its future is embracing that past while simultaneously laying it to rest. This is the story of Brouwerij St. Bernardus in Watou, Belgium; its history forever intertwined with one of the most famous Trappist beers, Westvleteren XII, brewed at the nearby Saint-Sixtus Abbey brewery.
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Meet Pieter Verdonck, Storyteller & Marketing Consultant
Pieter Verdonck’s official title may be Marketing Consultant for Brouwerij St. Bernardus, but in reality, he is the storyteller and historian of this remarkable Belgian brewery. Pieter speaks eloquently, almost with reverence, about how Westvleteren and the Saint-Sixtus Abbey brewery shifted its roots, holding on to its Trappist origins and giving birth to another brewery that is gaining its foothold within the sometimes confining world of Belgian beers.
What is a Trappist beer? “Every product that originates within the walls of a Trappist monastery is a Trappist® product. An abbey can go a step further and submit an application for the Authentic Trappist Product (ATP) label from the International Trappist Association. The best known Trappist products are the Trappist® beers. Eleven abbeys which are members of the International Trappist Association brew and sell their own beer. The breweries are all equipped with high-quality brewing installations which guarantee the quality of Trappist® beer.” (ITA International Trappist Association)
St. Bernardus’ roots may have begun with French cheese-making monks, but its future lies within its beer and the people who believe in it. Pieter’s storytelling skills will take you on a journey from France to Belgium, from cheese to beer. Our conversation with Pieter delves into the complex relationship with Brouwerij St. Bernardus and the brewery of the Saint-Sixtus Abbey, known for Westvleteren 12, one of the rarest beers in the world.
“They used to be brothers. Maybe they used to be twins, but they both have evolved. They were born from the same recipe, but if you grow up and if you are about 70 and 80 years old now, maybe you’re not the same person [beer] anymore.“
Pieter Verdonck, Marketing Consultant at St. Bernardus
Westvleteren 12 may be looked upon as the Holy Grail for Belgian beers (maybe even all beers), and St. Bernardus recognizes this; however, they also recognize that from history comes great lessons. The brewers at St. Bernardus are not re-creating a great beer; they are forging a path for the next great beer. Embracing history while crafting their own path as they head into the future.
Join us as we chat about this and more, including St. Bernardus, its beer (including its iconic Abt 12), its destination status with its gorgeous guesthouse, the joy of Belgian beer, travel, and so much more. (For more destination breweries, but in the States, be sure to check out our story on destination breweries in Texas.)
Connect with Brouwerij St. Bernardus
Brouwerij St. Bernardus
Trappistenweg 23
8978 Watou
Watou, Belgium
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