Chimay Brewery

At Scourmont Abbey in Hainaut, Chimay Brewery grew from a monastic settlement into one of Belgium’s defining Trappist breweries. Its identity remains closely tied to place: beer is brewed within the abbey precinct under monastic supervision, using water from the abbey’s wells. The brewery’s long continuity, bottle refermentation and charitable purpose make Chimay distinctive far beyond its familiar red, blue and white labels. Beer from the Scourmont plateau The story begins with monks from Westvleteren establishing Scourmont Abbey in 1850. In 1862, they began brewing beer according to monastic traditions of natural brewing, top fermentation and refermentation in the bottle. Brewing provided income while supporting the surrounding region, and the brewery has remained within the Cistercian abbey’s enclosure. A living monastic tradition Chimay’s modern beers still reflect that foundation. The brewery operates under the supervision of the monks, and its production uses water drawn from wells inside the abbey precincts. The profits support social and regional projects, keeping the brewery connected to the community that helped give it purpose. A brewery with its own visual language Chimay’s heritage extends beyond the liquid itself. The Belgian Beer Glass Museum records Chimay-branded glassware associated with the brewery, including a distinctive 2006 decorated goblet. That object belongs to the brewery’s broader serving and design history, while the core story remains the continuity of brewing at Scourmont. Chimay is monastic brewing made tangible: abbey-born beer, bottle refermentation and regional solidarity held together across generations. Scourmont Abbey, near Chimay, Hainaut, Belgium 1862 1850: Monks from Westvleteren established Scourmont Abbey near Chimay. 1862: The monks began brewing their first beer according to monastic brewing traditions. 1948: Father Théodore isolated the yeast that remains the basis of Chimay’s Trappist beers. 1956: The abbey’s Christmas beer became a permanent beer known as Chimay Blue. 2006: A limited-edition decorated Chimay goblet was created as part of an artistic collaboration.