La Trappe Quadrupel 4Pk is a 10% ABV bottle-conditioned Dutch Trappist ale sold as a four-pack of 330ml bottles. First brewed in 1991, it holds the distinction of being the first beer in the world to officially carry the name "Quadrupel," effectively defining an entire style category. It earns a 99 rating on RateBeer and a 93 on BeerAdvocate. Quick Facts: ABV: 10% | Origin: Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands | Style: Quadrupel (Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale) | Brewery: Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven Production & Heritage Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven operates within the walls of Koningshoeven Abbey, a Trappist monastery near Tilburg in the southern Netherlands. La Trappe is one of a small handful of beers worldwide that carries the Authentic Trappist Product label, meaning it is brewed within abbey walls under monastic supervision. The Quadrupel undergoes top fermentation at 18–20°C using a grain bill of Munich, pale, caramel, and roast malts alongside glucose syrup, hopped with Hallertau Northern Brewer and Slovenian Super Steirer varieties. Each bottle is then conditioned with live yeast, allowing the beer to continue developing character over time. Tasting Notes Aroma: Dark dried fruit — dates, figs, and raisins — rises first, followed by warm caramel, toasted bread, and a subtle spice note reminiscent of clove. There is a faint hay-like earthiness underneath that keeps things grounded. Taste: The entry is unmistakably malty and sweet, with caramelized banana and stone fruit unfolding across the palate. Mid-palate introduces biscuit, honey, and a cocoa-like depth, while hints of dark coffee and black pepper emerge toward the peak. A gentle bitterness balances the sweetness without ever overpowering it. Finish: Medium-long and warming, with a slightly burnt malt character that fades into a sweet, fruity aftertaste. Residual vanilla and dried cherry linger pleasantly as the 10% alcohol delivers a measured, wine-like warmth. How to Drink La Trappe Quadrupel Pour into a chalice or goblet at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to let the complex aromatics open fully; this is a beer designed for slow, attentive drinking. A slight swirl before each sip helps release the bottle-conditioned yeast's contribution to aroma. While primarily a sipping beer, the Quadrupel also works in culinary and mixed-drink contexts: use it in a Beer Float with vanilla ice cream, where the caramel malt and dark fruit create a rich dessert pairing; try it in a Belgian Flip (shaken with egg yolk, sugar, and nutmeg), where the body and sweetness stand up to the emulsion beautifully; or incorporate it into a Beer Sangria alongside sliced stone fruit and a splash of brandy, amplifying its natural fig and cherry notes. Best For Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who values brewing history and provenance Winter evening sipping sessions by the fireplace After-dinner drinking as an alternative to port or dessert wine Introducing someone to authentic Trappist brewing traditions Frequently Asked Questions What does La Trappe Quadrupel taste like? It delivers a rich, malty sweetness anchored by dark dried fruit — dates, figs, raisins — with layers of caramel, honey, cocoa, and a subtle peppery spice. A pleasant bitterness and warming 10% ABV keep the sweetness in balance. How does La Trappe Quadrupel compare to St. Bernardus Abt 12? St. Bernardus Abt 12 is widely regarded as more refined and complex, with deeper yeast-driven fruit character, while La Trappe Quadrupel leans into a more straightforward malty sweetness with pronounced caramel and dried fruit. La Trappe holds historical significance as the beer that introduced the "Quadrupel" designation in 1991, whereas St. Bernardus Abt 12 follows the broader Belgian dark strong ale tradition. Is La Trappe Quadrupel good for sipping neat? Absolutely — it is designed as a contemplative sipping beer, best poured into a wide-bowled glass at cellar temperature to appreciate its aromatic complexity. The bottle conditioning adds nuance that rewards patient, deliberate drinking. Where is La Trappe Quadrupel made? It is brewed at Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven inside the Koningshoeven Abbey in Berkel-Enschot, near Tilburg in the southern Netherlands. As an Authentic Trappist Product, it must be produced within the monastery under the supervision of the monastic community. What foods pair well with La Trappe Quadrupel? Aged Gouda or blue cheese complements the caramel sweetness; braised short ribs or beef stew mirror its malty depth; dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and dried fruit notes; roasted duck with a fig glaze matches the stone-fruit character; and bread pudding with caramel sauce aligns with its biscuit and toffee backbone. What sizes does La Trappe Quadrupel come in? It is commonly available in 330ml bottles, sold individually or in four-packs, and also in 750ml bottles for sharing. Is La Trappe Quadrupel worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium Trappist ale — more accessible than limited-release monastery beers like Westvleteren, yet carrying genuine Authentic Trappist Product credentials, strong critical ratings, and the historical weight of being the original Quadrupel. Why La Trappe Quadrupel? No other beer can claim to have invented the Quadrupel style. When Koningshoeven Abbey first released this beer in 1991, the term didn't exist — the brewery coined it to describe something bigger and richer than a Tripel. That historical significance, combined with a 99 on RateBeer and genuine Trappist authentication, gives the Quadrupel a rare combination of provenance and quality. For anyone exploring the upper tier of abbey ales, this is the benchmark against which the entire category is measured.
