Wauters Hulst BV
Wauters Hulst BV is the importer and main distributor of the unique Trappist beers Westmalle (BE), Rochefort (BE), Orval (BE), Zundert (NL), Achel (BE), Engelszell (AUT) and Tre Fontane (ITA).
History
On 23 December 1904, Mr P. Wauters of the Gentsestraat in Hulst took the decision to launch a fizzy drinks factory.
A few years later, this factory and fizzy drinks business was expanded into a beverage outlet with the acquisition of the Heineken Company under the Drankenhandel Wauters name in 1923 marking the first feather in its cap.
Mr P. Wauters was succeeded by his son Karel Wauters who, in those days already had a keen nose for the emerging interest of speciality beers in the Netherlands. In other words, he was a true pioneer. And so it happened, that after visiting the Monday market in Hulst, he became acquainted with a good friend of the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Westmalle. This led to the arrival of the first crates of Trappist Westmalle in Hulst in March of 1955.
In 1974, his son Piet Wauters, infected with the same enthusiasm for speciality beers, succeeded his father Karel. He developed the beverage outlet into a leading speciality beer outlet in the Netherlands.
Later, following the retirement of Piet Wauters, Wauters Hulst BV became responsible for selling and distributing of seven Trappist beers today as a beverage outlet specialising in Trappist beers, as a result of various developments and market conditions. These beers are Westmalle, Orval, Rochefort, Zundert, Engelszell, Tre Fontane and Achel.
The current management is provided by Rudy van Haperen and his daughter Dominique.
What is a Trappist beer?
A Trappist beer is brewed within the walls of a Trappist abbey, by - or under the supervision of - monks of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, more commonly known as the Trappists. The monks of this order live according to the rule of Saint Benedict; they put the adage of “Ora et Labora” - pray and work - into practice. In order to provide themselves with a living wage - and to generate enough funds to maintain the monastery - they produce various products, including Trappist beer. Any money left goes to charitable and social work.