The area around the Achelse Kluis has a long religious tradition. As early as 1656, a border chapel was built on a plot of heathland between Zwartven and Kerkeven. It was the aftermath of the Wars of Religion. Catholics from the neighboring Protestant Netherlands could hold their worship services there.
In 1686, Petrus van Eijnatten from Eindhoven founded a community of hermits here. Since that time, the ‘Achelse Kluis’ has been a center of prayer, contemplation and Christian culture.
After an interruption due to the French Revolution, the Trappist monks of Westmalle took up the religious thread again and f
ounded Saint Benedict’s Abbey on this site in 1846.
The monks lived in the spirit of the Cistercian order, according to the rule of Benedict.
The Trappist Achel has been brewed since 1850 within the walls of De Achelse Kluis under the supervision of the monk community. 4 different beers are brewed.
The last 2 monks of Achel Abbey have moved to Westmalle.
The brewing activities in the Achelse Kluis will be continued. Achelse Kluis therefore remains a Trappist abbey and the beers brewed there continue to bear the ‘Trappist’ brand name.
You can buy the beers and several other articles in the shop.
St. Benedict Abbey The Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
Wandelroute:
https://www.degrooteheide.eu/nl/routes/794768768/wandelroute-ontdek-de-achelse-kluis
Distance from B&B Kleine Beerze: 25 km / 25 minutes by car.
