Recently, the abbey required renovation and to help raise the money, the monks allowed sale of Westvleteren 12 beer in the USA and so Americans could buy Westvleteren XII beer for a limited period. The sudden appearance of the beer in the USA was necessary for the funding of the renovations only and the monks commented that they did not wish to commercialise the Westvleteren beer or the Westvleteren Brewery, with only enough beer being sold in the States to support the renovation costs. Westvleteren XII has been rated on many American and British beer rating websites as the favourite. As with all Trappist breweries, Westvleteren beer is sold simply to financially support the monastery. Currently, Westvleteren Brewery brew three beers, which are Westvleteren Blonde, Westvleteren VIII (Westvleteren 8) and Westvleteren XII (Westvleteren 12). The most popular of the three to buy is Westvleteren 12, with a 10.2% ABV and yellow cap. Others were brewed previously but the blonde variety replaced these and now only the three types previously mentioned remain.Although it has previously been difficult to buy Westvleteren beer, it is possible to buy Trappist Westvleteren beer online. Currently, the brewery limit their productions to around 60,000 cases per year of Westvleteren XII, which has remained unchanged since the mid-1940s. The beer is also sold in the café opposite the brewery by the bottle. Buyers of Westvleteren 12 are limited two cases per car and purchasers are able to pre-book an order via the brewery’s ‘beerphone’, and only one order is allowed to be placed every 60 days per licence plate and telephone number., and only one or two cases at a time depending on which of the beers you are buying. And it is no wonder this Belgian beer is so popular. The flavour is outstanding with a nutty, yeasty aroma and taste, and hints of coconut and caramel. The exceptional taste of the beer coming out of st Sixtus Abbey is largely down to its unusual content of live yeast, which is uncommon in beer, but seems to work well. The beer also contains residual sugars, which is responsible for causing the sweet caramel flavours. You can’t go wrong with Westvleteren beer when you want to buy Belgian beer. Buying beer isn’t easy today as there are so many varieties to choose from, and everybody has different taste, but the verdict on this wonderful Westvleteren beer seem unanimous. It’s the best beer in the world according Ratebeer and Beeradvocate. The Sint Sixtus Abbey is located Donkerstraat 12, 8640 Vleteren, a small community in West-Flanders, Belgium. During World War I Westvleteren was 8 kilometer away from the frontline, resulting in a few militairy cemetries at Westvleteren. The name ‘Trappist’ is legally protected and should only be used if it meets certain requirements, these requirements imposed by the International Trappist Association. Trappist beer must be brewed by monks belonging to the abbey and must be brewed within or in the vicinity of an abbey. The abbey allowed to sell Trappist have no profit, the proceeds are paid to the livelihood of the monks and the upkeep of the abbey. The surplus is donated to charity. Currently there are 11 Trappist beers which can carry the logo “Authentic Trappist Product”. Chimay, Engelszell, Rochefort, Westvleteren, La Trappe, Tre Fontane, Achel, Spencer, Zundert, Westmalle, Orval. Other products such as cheese and wine or food can also wear this logo. In total there are 12 beers that may be called “Trappist”. Mont des Cats then will be added to the previous list.