Trappist brewery in Zundert set to close citing lack of occupancy

The Netherlands is in danger of losing one of its two Trappist breweries. Abbey Marie Toevlucht in Zundert, Noord-Brabant, is being forced to close because there are not enough monks to keep the monastery going, a spokesperson for the abbey has said.

According to the spokesperson, it is not yet clear what the closure will mean for the Trappist beer that the monks brew. The brewery may remain in existence, but the beer would not be allowed to be called Trappist beer in that case. “Trappist beer can only be described as such when it is a part of the abbey community,” he said.

The monks have asked for permission to close the abbey. The spokesperson expects this request to be granted, and the monks will have to leave the monastery in September.

The Trappist beer Zundert has been brewed in the Trappist brewery De Kievit of the abbey since 2013. The other Trappist beer, La Trappe, is brewed in Berkel-Enschot, Noord-Brabant.

Just six monks live in the abbey in Zundert at the moment, after three brothers had left the abbey for various reasons during the last year. Since then, there have been lengthy and intense discussions regarding the future of the abbey. "The conclusion has gradually been drawn that with the limited occupancy, it is no longer possible and responsible to continue a vital and sustainable monastic life," the abbey reported.

It is the abbey’s 125th anniversary this month. It shall be a sad one as the monks will have to look for a new home. An official date for the closure has not been determined yet, the spokesperson said.