So this picture showed up in my inbox recently. For the uninitiated that’s a HUGE stack of Westvleteren Abbt 12 there on the right.  Looks like 21 cases to me. A sixer of the 12 on Ebay sells for $105, which makes this basement worth about $8000 U.S. Now I am pretty sure this guy didn’t head to the monastery 7 times to get it, which means it was purchased from a reseller, against the express wishes of the hard working and pious monks who made it. The monks sell each case for 36 Euros per 24 bottle case (About $46). Any reselling of the beer is effectively stealing from the monks.  Shame on you! Here is a note about it that I found in another location. I think this issue is so important that I’ve reprinted it here:

“The monks consider their beers’ importation into the United States a big problem. It is not that they don’t want us to enjoy their fine beers; it is the method by which the beers get here that is of concern. The monks enjoy a serene, peaceful life of prayer and work. They brew beer only to have the money to support themselves, their abbey and charitable works. (Regarding charity and providing jobs in the area, the wooden crates used for storing beer are handmade by local people who would otherwise likely not have jobs.)

The monks have found that the current production level is enough to meet their needs. They are not profit-driven and do not want to produce more unless necessary. Any additional brewing would take time away from their lives of devotion to finding God.

When their beers are sent to the United States and other places around the world against their wishes, thus becoming more widely known, there is always increased pressure on the monks to brew more beer and to increase prices to make the beer more exclusive — not to mention interruptions such as phone calls, faxes, e-mails, people knocking on the door, etc. These are very unwanted distractions for the monks. In fact, they would like it to be known that they do not wish to receive visitors to the brewery or hear requests for increased production. Anneke Benoit, secretary of the International Trappist Union, told me, “I have to turn away so many people each year and tell them the same thing: ‘No’ to a visit or other suggestions.” Until recently, Ms. Benoit helped run the Claustrum, a museum of monastic life at the Sint-Sixtus Abbey, with interactive videos, historical items, a history of monastic life in the area and, for beer lovers, a video of the monks brewing at Sint-Sixtus.

Another problem the monks have with their beers being imported into the United States against their wishes is price. In Belgium, it has been a long tradition and is a valued principle that beer, whether pils or Trappist ale or anything in between, be affordable to rich, poor and middle class alike. The monks are aware that their brews bring from about $6 to $20 a bottle here in the States, which they realize few could afford on a regular basis. This is against their beliefs.

A third problem involves various legal concerns. The monks are aware of the overactive use of lawsuits in this country and are worried they might be held accountable for something relating to their beer being available in the States, despite the fact that they oppose its importation and have nothing to do with it. The bottom line is that the monks want to stop the unauthorized importation of their beer into this country”

If you’re interested here is another Article about the monk’s wishes for a quiet life.

In addition to respecting the monk’s wishes, we might consider why the beer is so widely desired. Is it good ’cause you can’t get it? It is commonly know that monastic breweries often share yeast, techniques, and even brewers. So is the beer from Westy really the best? Does it matter? What message do we send if we activly participate in what amounts to the receiving of stolen goods…beer stolen from the monks. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want that on my conscience! If you still insist on getting your meat hooks on some Westy, at least do it right. Here is a story about how you can legally get the beer.

My Wife Whit is a brewer over at Victory Brewing Company and we popped into Mt. Airy for a Victory Keep the Pint Night at the new Earth Bread and Brewery. This is the newest brewpub around, and looks to fast be a personal favorite. The hip new spot on Germantown Ave. is owned and operated by former Heavyweight heavyweights Tom and Peggy Baker. We were fortunate enough to be greeted by the Ackersons at the door (they live 3 blocks away!) followed quickly by Peggy. Tom was hard at work making pizzas, which they call ‘Bread’. The menu is brief and well executed. There are 3 or 4 house beers on tap and a very thoughtful selection of local draft beers and important bottles from around the world. Think Sly Fox cans and Boone Kreik.They’ve done it right and I wish them great success. We stayed too long for a ’school night’ but it was totally worth it. The usual suspects from VBC were out: Bill, Tracy, the Dr., etc. We even me the chef from Mcmennimins at the upstairs bar!

here’s a shot of the bar from the back

Good Luck Tom and Peggy!

Had dinner last night at The General Lafayette Inn with my wife and some old friends. The brewer over at the General is Russ Kaja. Russ is a talented guy and is really getting some great beer to the faucets. We had a quick beer / tour with him before settling down to a little grub and guzzel with my old assistant Bill Young. Bill rocks. He’s now been at Manayunk Brewery longer than any other brewer…I think. We couldn’t do the math on how long Jimmy Brennan held the head brewer position after 3 beers, but it was fun trying! I got to meet Collin Ferrel (no lie, that’s really his name) who has been working with Chris and Bill over there at the ‘Yunk for some time now. Our consensus was that the General is still holding down the fort as a must stop brewpub.

Thanks Chris Leonard for the pints and for keeping this important landmark rolling.

Get in the and drink some Real Beer or stop by their new location in the city. It’s a spot in Fairmont called the Tied House at 2001 Hamilton St. In the sake of full disclosure, I haven’t been yet…but I love these guys and I’m sure it rocks.