[Trappist]

Hi,

10 Days of vacation have passed away in no time.
We went to Han-sur-Lesse, and visited the nearby region, including alot of beery spots.
Hotel: https://www.tui.be/nl/hotel/belgie/ardennen-belgie-en-henegouwen/hotel-au-lit-des-ours-78134
That's a 10/10 hotel folks, and I got a 36% discount from TUI !!
GREAT breakfast 

The first spot I want to show you is the abbey where they make the famous Rochefort Trappist beers.
Located inside the walls of the monastry of abbey N.D. de Saint-Rémy, located at Rochefort.

IMG_20250416_163448 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

We went there for two times. The second time to stock up more beers

IMG_20250416_163439 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

The two pictures here above were made during our second visit. The weather was cloudy.
The pictures give a nice view on the abbey. All other pictures in this article were made during our first visit. The weather was much more pleasant and sunny.
Notice that a major renovation is taking place these days.
Even the parking place is brand new. That's where I parked our car (the black one).
On the left side we can see the big old wooden gate and the entrance door next to it.
That's where before one could buy the beers, glasses, etc... and this after knocking the door or ringing the doorbell. Today, this has been closed down.
The new shop is housed on the right side now from the big gate. That's the black squared entrance a couple of meters on the right side there. It's open every day of the week!

Let's go ....

IMG_20250412_152028 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

On the way to the new shop.
Quite an exciting moment, because I never visited the abbey before.

IMG_20250412_151520 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

After entering one observes this very sober looking shop.
The friendly guy on the left was in charge to give us some explainations and doing the pay bill.
The moment I took the picture, he instantly turned away as he didn't want to be on the picture with his face, although I asked him if I could take pictures, which he accepted
On the right side we see a door that leads to the church, which can be visited.
Actually, that shop and the church are the only places that can be visited.

Turning my head, I saw the exposure closets where all the goodies from the abbey can be chosen and bought.

IMG_20250412_151451 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

IMG_20250412_151504 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

IMG_20250412_151508 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

I bought us a couple of Trappist glasses (€3.00 each) and a bunch of Rochefort 10 (€13.00 for a 6-pack of Rochefort 10). That's €2.17 for one Rochefort 10. I never seen that beer that cheap these days.
The 4-packs went at €9.00, which was a bit more expensive, compared to the 6-packs. I didn't buy.
Notice that at nearby (5 minutes drive) drink warehouse Maziers this beer was equally the same price when ordering a full 24 bottles crate of the 10 at €52.00 (that's also 2.17 euro for one bottle!). Buying the bottles there separately was more expensive. Needless to say that we bought us a full crate too at Maziers. At the shop in the abbey, one could indeed buy four- and six packs, but no crates.

IMG_20250412_152526 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

When walking to the church one needs to walk through a long corridor where there is a window that looks out onto a beautiful courtyard. Beautiful 

IMG_20250412_152651 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

The church is amazing !!

VID_20250412_152657 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

Clicking the picture gives a brief movie, incl. subdued monastic organ music.

IMG_20250412_152137 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

Back outside to do a walk.
This is the outside of the church.

The next pictures are taken from left to right, to give you an idea.

IMG_20250412_153555 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

IMG_20250412_153552 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

IMG_20250412_153440 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

I don't know what this building is for. It looked empty.

IMG_20250412_152126 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

Completely on the right side is that bell tower. We are at the entrance of the abbey here, which is just outside the picture on the right side.

IMG_20250412_152133 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

Back at the church.
Notice the gate on the left side. Let's go inside..

IMG_20250412_153340 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

That leads towards this courtyard. Freely accessible up to the fence at the back.
And see, surprise! Here we have the old brewery (red building).
Used till 2020. Now it's a well kept place for a nice witness of it's past brewing history.
All brewing is now done (starting from 2020) at the brand new BIG brewery, housed in the back of the domain.
That needed to be done, because that old brewery could no longer meet the demand.

IMG_20250412_153018 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

A close-up of the fence. From here, visiting is impossible, but taking pictures was no prob.
Two of those Trappist Rochefort emblems are decorating the fence.

IMG_20250412_153126 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

A picture taken with the fence close behind me. We see the gate and on the left side the old brewery, named the "Beer Cathedral", because at sunny days, it gives it that cathedral feeling inside !!

IMG_20250412_152325 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

IMG_20250412_152333 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

A glance towards the copper brew kettles. Amazing !!!

IMG_20250412_152413 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

Brew evidence ..

IMG_20250412_153012 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

IMG_20250412_153034 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

IMG_20250412_153031 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

Pictures taken through the fence. Impossible to enter freely.

IMG_20250412_153833 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

When wanting to see the new brewery, then you have to take a walk outside the domain and in the distance you will see the new complex.

IMG_20250412_153837 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

A closer view

IMG_20250412_182549 by Filip Geerts, on Flickr

The brewery can't be visited freely, so I can't give some pictures, but a small info booklet that we could take back home at no charge revealed a picture from it !!!

What a big brewery folks. NO copper, but stainless steel instead. (actually, I didn't find any other picture with Google search  )
After tasting, I can state that the beer itself is still a masterpiece, if not that bit more excellent as before !!!!

Well, that's it.
Hope you all liked a bit of this footage.
I sure was impressed alot.
There's actually not that much to do there, but still, that vist is something I'll never forget !

Cheers,
Filip

[John B]

Thank you for the great report Filip. Nice to see where the magic happens and some of the world's best beer is made.

Cheers! - John

[Trappist]

Thank you for the great report Filip. Nice to see where the magic happens and some of the world's best beer is made.

Cheers! - John

Thanks John,
I will also make a report from our visit to brasserie Saint-Monon asap. Next Monday.
Stay tuned.....
Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

Wonderful report Filip on a truly wonderful brewery, looking forward to the Saint-Monon instalment.

Cheers
Jay