La Trappe Quadrupel 750ML is a 10% ABV Trappist ale brewed and bottle-conditioned at the Koningshoeven monastery in the Netherlands. First released in 1991, this is the original beer to bear the name "Quadrupel" — a designation La Trappe trademarked after introducing the style to the world. Quick Facts: ABV: 10% | Origin: Berkel-Enschot, North Brabant, Netherlands | Style: Quadrupel (Belgian Dark Strong Ale) | Brewery: Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven Production & Heritage Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven operates within the walls of the Koningshoeven Abbey, making La Trappe one of a small number of recognized Trappist breweries worldwide. The Quadrupel is produced by top fermentation using a grain bill of Munich, Pale, Caramel, and roasted barley malts, supplemented with glucose syrup and fermented with a Belgian yeast strain. Water is drawn from five wells sunk 200 meters deep beneath the monastery grounds, and the beer undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle — a hallmark of authentic Trappist brewing that contributes to its complexity and natural carbonation. Tasting Notes Aroma: Ripe banana and vanilla lead, followed by raisins and a subtle warmth of cloves. Deeper inhalation reveals almond and a gentle nuttiness beneath the fruit-forward sweetness. Taste: The entry is rich and malty, with dark fruit — plum, fig, and red grape — arriving immediately on the palate. Mid-palate, caramel and date sweetness build alongside a warming alcohol presence that never turns harsh. A pleasantly bitter undercurrent emerges toward the finish, balancing the malt sweetness. Finish: Medium-long with a slightly burnt malt character and lingering sweetness. The aftertaste carries residual dark fruit and a faint spiciness that invites the next sip. How to Drink La Trappe Quadrupel Serve at 12–14°C (54–57°F) in a wide-bowled goblet or chalice to allow the complex aromatics to open fully. Pour slowly, leaving the yeast sediment in the bottle unless you prefer a cloudier, more full-bodied pour. This is a sipping beer meant to be savored slowly — its 10% ABV and layered flavor profile reward patience. While Quadrupels are best enjoyed on their own, the Quadrupel's dark fruit and caramel depth make it a natural candidate for beer cocktails: try it in a Belgian Shandy with fresh-squeezed blood orange juice, use it as the base in a Black Velvet variation in place of stout for added richness, or build a Beer Flip by shaking a small pour with egg yolk and warming spices for a decadent after-dinner drink. Best For Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates Trappist brewing tradition After-dinner sipping as a dessert accompaniment on a cold evening Cellaring — the bottle-conditioned format develops further complexity over time Sharing with friends during a curated Belgian and Trappist beer tasting Frequently Asked Questions What does La Trappe Quadrupel taste like? It delivers rich dark fruit flavors — plum, fig, and raisin — layered over a malty caramel sweetness, with vanilla, banana, and clove spice notes. The finish is warming and slightly bitter, balancing the overall sweetness. How does La Trappe Quadrupel compare to Saint Bernardus Abt 12? Both are high-ABV Belgian dark strong ales, but the Abt 12 is frequently described as more refined and complex, with a smoother integration of its alcohol. La Trappe Quadrupel tends to be more overtly malty and sweet, with a more pronounced dark fruit and caramel character and a noticeable color difference between the two. Is La Trappe Quadrupel good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 10% ABV with dense layered flavors, this is a contemplative sipping beer best enjoyed slowly from a goblet at cellar temperature rather than ice-cold. Where is La Trappe Quadrupel made? It is brewed at Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven inside the Koningshoeven Abbey in Berkel-Enschot, near Tilburg in the North Brabant province of the Netherlands. What foods pair well with La Trappe Quadrupel? Aged Gouda or Stilton blue cheese complement its malty sweetness; chocolate fondant or crème brûlée mirror its caramel and vanilla tones; roasted duck with a fruit reduction echoes the dark fruit character; and cured meats such as bresaola provide a savory contrast to the beer's residual sweetness. What sizes does La Trappe Quadrupel come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, and it is also available in a 330ml bottle in many markets. Is La Trappe Quadrupel worth the price? La Trappe Quadrupel sits in the premium Trappist beer tier, and its status as the original Quadrupel — brewed within an active monastery using traditional methods and bottle-conditioned — provides strong value relative to other high-ABV Trappist and abbey ales. Why La Trappe Quadrupel? No other beer can claim to have invented and trademarked an entire style — La Trappe introduced the world to the Quadrupel designation in 1991, and every subsequent Quad owes a debt to this original. Brewed with water from 200-meter-deep abbey wells, a complex multi-malt grain bill, and a proprietary Belgian yeast strain, then bottle-conditioned for natural carbonation, this is a beer rooted in monastic discipline and centuries of Trappist tradition. With a 3.9 rating across more than 268,000 reviews on Untappd and recognition at competitions including the European Beer Star and the Dutch Beer Challenge, the Quadrupel has proven its staying power across three decades. For anyone serious about understanding the Quadrupel style, the conversation starts here — with the beer that defined it.
