Some of the most globally recognized beers are those by Trappist breweries. All of these breweries are housed inside the walls of Trappist monasteries and the sale of their beer is not for profit; instead, revenue supports the living expenses of the monks and the maintenance of the facilities. The International Trappist Association oversees the designation of this group of prestigious breweries and their beer production; while there are beers similar to Trappist beers produced by secular breweries, those are referred to as abbey beers. Trappist brews are nothing short of fantastic and, hallelujah, are available year-round. I highly recommend Orval Trappist Ale, Trappistes Rochefort 10 and Chimay Red Cap.
This article appears in April 2014.