I am Westmalle Tripel — the very first of my kind, unveiled in 1934 as a bold new chapter in brewing history. Guided by the wisdom of master brewer Henri Vanderlinden, the monks of Westmalle dared to defy tradition, crafting a golden ale brewed with three times the usual ingredients. It was a revolutionary idea that gave birth to the term “Tripel” — and earned me the title, The Mother of All Tripels.
I pour a clear, radiant gold beneath a crown of creamy white foam. My aroma sings with ripe banana, clove, and floral hops — the result of slow fermentation and patient bottle conditioning. On the palate, I bring a graceful interplay of soft malt sweetness, refined bitterness, and warming strength. Some call me the Champagne of Belgium, but to those who know, I’m unmistakably monastic.
Still brewed within the abbey walls and bearing the Authentic Trappist Product seal, I remain the gold standard — a beer that didn’t just perfect a style, but created it. I am not just a Tripel. I am a legacy.
• World Beer Championship - Gold Medal 2014
• World Beer Cup - Gold Medal 2012, Bronze Medal 2008
• Wine Enthusiast Magazine - 98 Points
• The Beer Connoisseur - 97 Points
• "1,001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die" Book by Adrian Tierney Jones - #95
• Men's Journal Magazine - One of the "50 Best Beers in the World"
• Michael Jackson's Pocket Guide to Beer - 5 Stars, A World Classic
As one of the 11 Trappist breweries that uses the Authentic Trappist Product (ATP) logo, it is no surprise that Westmalle’s history started with monks. In 1794, 10 French monks decided to construct an abbey between Antwerp and Turnhout, but before they could flourish there, the French Revolution hit. The monks had to flee but eventually came back in 1802. Later in 1836, Abbot Martinus Dom started building a small brewery which didn’t actually brew for outsiders till 1856, when the monks started to sell their beers at the gates. In 1930, Westmalle created the first Belgian tripel, which solidified its stellar reputation. From then on, Westmalle’s beers became so popular due to their complex flavours and continue to be loved to this day!
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