Belgian Beer Bar in Beijing
Confusion is common, and it bears repeating: Abbey beers are not Trappist and vice versa. Abbey beers, though sometimes made from ancient recipes held by monks, are produced by independent breweries. In contrast to Trappists, the religious community does not enter, in any way, into the production or distribution of these beers, though they may receive royalties. The recipes are sometimes original, sometimes adaptations, but usually these are beers, however created, that take their name from an actual or historical abbey.