<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trappist_beer">Trappist beer</a> is a designation of the origin of the beer, rather than a designation for the style.  That is, it must come from one of the ten Trappist monasteries <a href="http://www.trappist.be/en/pages/trappist-beers">recognised by the International Trappist Association</a>.  There are similarities between the styles produced by these monasteries, but if one decided to make something in a completely different style it could presumably still be called a Trappist beer.</p>

<p>In contrast, the term <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_in_Belgium#Abbey_beers">abbey beer</a> is used to refer to any beers produced in the style of the Trappist monasteries.  It isn't necessarily produced by a monastery, and some beers produced by major breweries could be described as abbey beer.</p>

<p>It is kind of like the difference between "Champagne" and "sparkling white wine".</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-16T06:35:30.037Z
100% correct and well stated.
audiFanatic
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-09T07:31:43.980Z
2014-04-09T08:01:00.843Z
2014-04-09T08:01:00.843Z
James Henstridge
<p>Abbaye Bier (Abbey Beer) refer to monastic beer brewed by monks. And there is almost Trappist beer brewed by monks but specifically from Trappist monasteries. </p>

<p><strong>But what is the difference in terms of brewing process, resulting product and historically, why are they different?</strong> </p>

<history><trappist>
What is the difference between Trappist beer and Abbey Beer?
alvas
# What is the difference between Trappist beer and Abbey Beer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-04-09)

Abbaye Bier (Abbey Beer) refer to monastic beer brewed by monks. And there is almost Trappist beer brewed by monks but specifically from Trappist monasteries.

**But what is the difference in terms of brewing process, resulting product and historically, why are they different?**

**Tags:** history, trappist


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-04-09. Score: 17 | Accepted answer

[Trappist beer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trappist_beer) is a designation of the origin of the beer, rather than a designation for the style. That is, it must come from one of the ten Trappist monasteries [recognised by the International Trappist Association](http://www.trappist.be/en/pages/trappist-beers). There are similarities between the styles produced by these monasteries, but if one decided to make something in a completely different style it could presumably still be called a Trappist beer.

In contrast, the term [abbey beer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_in_Belgium#Abbey_beers) is used to refer to any beers produced in the style of the Trappist monasteries. It isn't necessarily produced by a monastery, and some beers produced by major breweries could be described as abbey beer.

It is kind of like the difference between "Champagne" and "sparkling white wine".

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: 100% correct and well stated.  

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