The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, the Trappist order takes the name from La Trappe Abbey in Normandy where it began as a reform movement in 1664.
There are strict rules in place for gaining Trappist status: the beer must be brewed within the Abbey walls; it must be brewed under the supervision of the Abbey community; and a substantial part of the profit must be invested in social services.
Although there are some 171 Trappist Abbeys worldwide, however only seven of these brew beer – one in the Netherlands, the rest in Belgium.
Chimay | La Trappe | Orval | Westmalle