Text 7243, 92 rader
Skriven 2013-03-06 13:07:01 av Ward Dossche (2:292/854)
   Kommentar till text 7229 av Roy Witt (1:387/22)
Ärende: Re: Buying beer in Sweden
=================================
RW> January 27, 2012
RW> @ Trappist-beers.com - Monks decide to export 705 boxes with 'special'
RW> Westvleteren 12 version.
 
RW> Apparently they (you) lied.
 
Actually, it was way more than that, more than the 100-fold. I already reported
upon that on March 1st 2013:
 
*****************************************************************************
Date: 01 Mar 13  15:59:17
From: Ward Dossche
  To: Björn Felten
Subj: Re: Coming to America
____________________________________________________________________________
...
The monks have only on 2 occasions made the beer commercially available when
they needed the finances to rebuild and restore their abbey. First time was
last year when they sold 96.000 bricks (cardboard boxes with 6 bottles and 2
matching glasses) via a selected supermarket chain. They sold-out in less
than half an hour. Then beginning of the year they did the same in the USA,
people queued in NYC for blocks and it also sold-out in no time at all.
 
After that they announced they had the necessary finances to complete their
restoration and would never enter in such a commercial venture again...
*****************************************************************************
 
Actually ... there were 93.000 bricks sold in Belgium and I think having read
some 75.000 in the USA.
 
There is mention of that on the Dutch-language FAQ on their website (can't
reach it via the English language menu):
 
http://www.sintsixtus.be/nl/FAQ's2.htm
 
They explain the reasons for the commercialisation of 2 batches and end with
...
 
*****************************************************************************
"11. And now what? If all 93,000 boxes have reached their destination. How do I
still get that coveted Westvleteren 12?
Each year the brothers continue to brew 4750 hl which will be sold. This small
amount can only be purchased at the door of the abbey, just like before.
*****************************************************************************
 
With an annual production of 4.750 hectoliter their output is pretty small and
can only cater for the local market. They went throught a hectic time to make
the extra batches for the one-time only sale.
 
RW> One observer saw it in a Brooklyn, NY grocery store @ $400/case.
 
Doubtful it was a 24-bottle case. Most likely this is one of the "building
bricks" containing 6 bottles and 2 engraved glasses with the text in Latin "I
helped build the abbey". The suggested retail-price for such a brick was 25
Euro ...
 
You'd have to be crazy to pay $400 for 6 bottles of a brand you only know by
name. Trappist beer has a rich taste that may not go well if one hasn't
consumed equally rich dark ales before. It could be a waste of money when
you're not ready for it or just open it and gobble it down like BudLight.
 
RW> A Belgian exporter to Sweden could probably get it and re-distribute it
RW> there.
 
Not if you're talking about more than 1 case. 24 bottles is not worth the
hassle unless the price is so ridiculously high you'd have to be out of your
mind to even consider it.
 
RW> Truyen
RW> Mechelsesteenweg 24
RW> 2500 Lier
RW> Belgi‰
RW> Telephone : +32 3 480 04 12
RW> Fax : +32 3 488 08 21
RW> Email : info@truyen-westmalle.be
 
They are dealing with "Westmalle" ... that's another Trappist-abbey who does
commercialise its product and exports.
 
Many villages/tows in Flanders have an east and a west part:
 
Westvleteren <--> Oostvleteren
Westmalle    <--> Oostmalle
Westende     <--> Oostende
 
"Westvleteren 12" and "Westmale Tripel" are both monastic beers brewed by
Trappist monks, but these beers do not compare.
 
 \%/@rd

--- D'Bridge 3.9
 * Origin: Many Glacier / Protect - Preserve - Conserve (2:292/854)