Monks run out of the world's best beer. The end may be near for some of us! Try not to despair, but do subscribe to patience, perseverance, and many notes of thanks to the monks, urging them to carry on with their fine traditions ... and especially beer making!


Thu Aug 11, 2005 01:44 PM ET

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Monks at a Belgian abbey have been forced to stop selling their famous beer after it was voted the best in the world and was promptly sold out.
The abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren in western Belgium is home to some 30 Cistercian and Trappist monks who lead a life of seclusion, prayer, manual labor -- and beer-brewing.

A survey of thousands of beer enthusiasts from 65 countries on the RateBeer Web site (www.ratebeer.com) in June rated the Westvleteren 12 beer as the world's best.

But the abbey only has a limited brewing capacity, and was not able to cope with the beer's sudden popularity.

"Our shop is closed because all our beer has been sold out," said a message on the abbey's answering machine, which it calls the "beer phone."

And the abbey has no intention of boosting its capacity to satisfy market demand.

"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.

Monk Mark Bode told De Morgen daily: "Outsiders don't understand why we are not raising production. But for us life in the abbey comes first, not the brewery."

Unfortunately, not much we can do if they have a monopoly-want to bet the prices go up!

Any Peeps tried it? Is it one of those that is available only in "Beers From Around The World" bars?

Old Dad, can't even say "Westvleteren" without biting my lip! Never heard of the stuff until spotted it in the article. However, do wonder how it tastes?

I would love to try it. I love to try any and all beers.

You gota admire the monks, not being caught up in the capitolist fevor of make more money er beer. If its the best I hope it stays the best.