A HOLY ELIXIR

In Belgium, monks began brewing beer in the 8th century as a way of supporting themselves. Today, a handful of Trappist monasteries (a Catholic religious order that follows the Rule of Saint Benedict, advocating poverty and manual labour, among other principles.) have maintained their brewing traditions to fund their works and charitable causes. They are said to produce some of the best beer in the world. There are 11 recognised Trappist breweries, six of them in Belgium, two in the Netherlands, and one each in Austria, Italy, the US and UK.