Westvleteren (Dutch: Brouwerij Westvleteren) is a brewery founded in 1838 at the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus in Vleteren, Belgium. An abbey – located in the town of the same name in east Flanders – produces the most luxurious and highly valued from all Belgian Trappists beers. In the process of brewing only five monks are present. Secular workers assist with the bottling and carrying out manual tasks, but may not brew. Westvleteren beers are made with only 6 ingredients: malt, local hops, yeast, water, sugar and caramel. Due to huge popularity of Westvelerten, monks consistently limit its distribution.
