The Trappist beers produced by the Abbey of Westmalle are famous all over the world. The brewery funds the costs of the abbey. In Westmalle, brewing is far from being a purely commercial activity.

Most of the sales revenues from the beers are pumped back into the brewery to be invested in good working conditions. Today the monks themselves are no longer involved in hands-on brewing. The day-to-day brewing process is outsourced to employees from outside the abbey. However, the monks are still in overall charge of the brewery.

The revenues that are not used to fund life in the abbey are directed towards charity, social projects and people in need.