Brouwerij De Koningshoeven in opdracht van Brouwerij Urthel

Inside the walls of Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven Abbey near Tilburg, brewing began as a practical answer to a difficult problem: the monastery needed a dependable, wholesome drink and a way to support its community. What grew from that 1884 beginning is the Netherlands’ distinctive Trappist brewing house, whose beers are still made at the abbey under monastic oversight and are widely known by the La Trappe name. A brewery born from necessity The monks began brewing in 1884, three years after the monastery was founded. The original purpose was not commercial expansion, but replacing unhealthy local drinking water and helping sustain the abbey. Because the early monks were not trained brewers, a novice was sent to Munich to learn the craft, establishing the technical foundation for the brewery. From De Schaapskooi to La Trappe The brewery developed through experimentation, commercial partnerships and changing organization. A new brewery building opened in 1891 under the name De Schaapskooi. Brewing later resumed directly under the monks after the arrangement with Stella Artois ended, while cooperation with Bavaria in the 1990s professionalized production and distribution. The beers became internationally recognized as La Trappe Trappist. Brewing within the abbey The defining continuity is place: brewing remains inside the abbey complex, with the monks retaining responsibility for the brewing tradition and oversight of production. The brewery is therefore more than a historic label; it is an active monastic enterprise whose principal purpose remains supporting the community and its charitable work. A living Trappist brewery where monastic purpose, abbey-based brewing and an internationally recognized beer range remain joined. Berkel-Enschot, near Tilburg, North Brabant, the Netherlands 1884 1881: Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven Abbey was founded at Berkel-Enschot. 1884: The monks began brewing beer at Koningshoeven. 1891: A new brewery opened under the name De Schaapskooi. 1990s: Cooperation with Bavaria helped professionalize brewing and sales. 2024: The abbey marked the brewery’s 140th anniversary.