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Added by Jopie, at 12 April 2016
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9 Reviews
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18 July 2017
The beer garden is very nice. I didn't get to enjoy the beer too much as you have to pay when they serve you. And after you payed it seemed like we became invisible to the staff. However the one beer we had was very nice, thus the 2 star rating and not 1 star
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04 July 2017
A bit of advice from someone who's visited the abbey/ brewery twice now..
First off I would say the beer isn't that difficult to come by or purchase as a lot of people or writings make it out to be.. The whole phone/ hotline thing is an option but it's not the only way to buy the beer at the abbey. Using the hotline allows you to reserve a wooden crate which holds 24 beers I believe. That crate and the beers are now yours to keep. You have a timed ticket which is when you can pick up your crate and they only brew certain beers for certain days so you won't be able to buy all three styles (blond, 8 (dubbel) and 12 (tripel)). They only allow you to reserve 2 crates as well on the day. This is all an option but I've never been patient enough to bother.
The other way and easiest way is by going directly to the monastery and visiting the visitors center/ cafe on site called the In de Vrede. This is a large hall (that can get very busy) that serves good looking food and that has a shop inside that sells the beers in cardboard boxes. Each box holds 6 beers. Again, on the day they may not have all three styles but the first time I went two years ago I remember they did have all three styles however they limit you on how many boxes you can purchase (2 max?) I bought a box of the 8 and 12 and said next time to the blond (More on that below). When I arrived it was early afternoon, around 1PM and the shop was full of boxes of beer. There was also a small queue that took about 5 minutes to wait through.
I went back again two years later and around the same time of year, early December. I arrived around 5PM and guess what, the shop had sold out of beer! There was nothing left! The restaurant was still open and they serve the beer there so one could still have a seat and try one but you couldn't take any bottles home with you.
So, my advice is to try to get there early in the day to avoid this issue. Check the website of the In de Vrede and make sure you go on a day it's open! They close on certain days for rest. Also check their opening times, last I checked it was 10AM. It would be nice to get a bit more consistency out of them so you always knew if you went to them beer would be there for you to take home but this is just not how they operate there. I think though if you get there earlier in the day you shouldn't have trouble buying from the cafe. Lastly, yes it's worth it! The beer is excellent and the 8 and 12 is perfect for aging so you can make them last!response / report this review -
06 May 2017
Amazing beer and food. Drove from Germany just for the beer. The food is patio food, small bites and fresh salad. I will return. Make sure you call to make a reservation.
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19 April 2017
Westvleteren 12, among the best beers in the world. This monastery is the place they brew it. In the summertime the cafe with a gift shop is open. A must visit for someone who loves strong Belgian beer.
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04 April 2017
Was able to get through and reserve a spot for the 12. This past weekend made the drive from Germany. Recommend stopping at the local grocery and also stocking up on Belgiums finest beer. I stopped at a delhaize. Was a good stop to check out and purchase some more beer. The cafe verde was closed the say I stopped there. Not great. But at least the monks allowed people to still purchase a couple of boxes. Anyway already had a couple, it was good.
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11 December 2016
A bit of advice from someone who's visited the abbey/ brewery twice now..
First off I would say the beer isn't that difficult to come by or purchase as a lot of people or writings make it out to be.. The whole phone/ hotline thing is an option but it's not the only way to buy the beer at the abbey. Using the hotline allows you to reserve a wooden crate which holds 24 beers I believe. That crate and the beers are now yours to keep. You have a timed ticket which is when you can pick up your crate and they only brew certain beers for certain days so you won't be able to buy all three styles (blond, 8 (dubbel) and 12 (tripel)). They only allow you to reserve 2 crates as well on the day. This is all an option but I've never been patient enough to bother.
The other way and easiest way is by going directly to the monastery and visiting the visitors center/ cafe on site called the In de Vrede. This is a large hall (that can get very busy) that serves good looking food and that has a shop inside that sells the beers in cardboard boxes. Each box holds 6 beers. Again, on the day they may not have all three styles but the first time I went two years ago I remember they did have all three styles however they limit you on how many boxes you can purchase (2 max?) I bought a box of the 8 and 12 and said next time to the blond (More on that below). When I arrived it was early afternoon, around 1PM and the shop was full of boxes of beer. There was also a small queue that took about 5 minutes to wait through.
I went back again two years later and around the same time of year, early December. I arrived around 5PM and guess what, the shop had sold out of beer! There was nothing left! The restaurant was still open and they serve the beer there so one could still have a seat and try one but you couldn't take any bottles home with you.
So, my advice is to try to get there early in the day to avoid this issue. Check the website of the In de Vrede and make sure you go on a day it's open! They close on certain days for rest. Also check their opening times, last I checked it was 10AM. It would be nice to get a bit more consistency out of them so you always knew if you went to them beer would be there for you to take home but this is just not how they operate there. I think though if you get there earlier in the day you shouldn't have trouble buying from the cafe. Lastly yes it's worth it! The beer is excellent and the 8 and 12 is perfect for aging so you can make them last!response / report this review -
15 July 2016
Difficult to find, tiny back roads and little signage. Beer is excellent. Beer hall is quite crowded.
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02 June 2016
Westvleteren 12 is an amazing beer! Definitely a must buy if you can. Reservation and calling system is a bit lacking and could use an update but what can you do? Wish there were a better way to reserve beer for people from around the world. Trying to call at 2 am is not a pleasant idea.
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19 April 2016
Can someone please explain how to get through on the beer phone? I have reached the recording a few times but I've tried pressing 3 then 1 and the phone always hangs up on me. I think I've call about 5000 times now lol
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