Brasserie Rochefort

Rochefort is a Trappist brewery located in the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy in Rochefort. The Cistercian abbey for nuns was founded in 1230, but destroyed around 1789. The abbey was rebuilt in 1887, and the first Rochefort beer was brewed around 1899.

The Cistercians of the Strict Observance, as the Trappists are officially known in full, are known for their seclusion: the monastic buildings and most breweries are off limits to guests. There are still about fifteen older monks.

The monks do not make a profit from brewing and selling the beer, but only produce what they need for their daily existence and to donate a portion to charities. The monks do not advertise and do not participate in modern trends. For example, they have only had a website since 2006.

On December 29, 2010, the old part of the abbey was destroyed by a fire. The library, the chapel, the living quarters of the monks and the brewery, where the Trappist beer is brewed, were spared.