CANMORE, AB – Premium beer import agency Horizon Beers has announced that a limited amount of the rare and renowned Trappist ale Westvleteren 12 will be available at select beer and liquor stores across Canada starting this month.
Usually available only to individuals who visit the Abbey of Saint Sixtus in Westvleteren, Belgium – or occasionally via less official grey market channels – Westvleteren 12 is considered to be one of the best beers in the world, with its scarcity playing a big part in its reputation. It is now being made more widely available for a limited time in order to help the Abbey cover the costs of the recent construction of a new monastery.
Horizon Beers is the exclusive agent in Canada for this official Westvleteren release, and has brought in a portion of the 70,000 packages that were produced for export. It will be officially released on July 20th in Alberta, where it will be available at select private liquor stores and several licensed establishments. Government-run liquor stores in other provinces (except Quebec) will receive stock by mid-August.
Each package in this one-time limited release contains six bottles of Westvleteren 12 plus two branded glasses. Retail price will vary between provinces, but is expected to be in the $70-$80 range.