The Story of Spencer Trappist Ale

Spencer Trappist Ale is America’s first Trappist brewery, located in Spencer, Massachusetts. The brewery is maintained and operated by the monks at Saint Joseph’s Abbey.

The monks at Saint Joseph’s “observe the counsel of the Rule of St. Benedict, a 6^th century guide for monastic life that stresses the importance of ora et labora or ‘pray and work’”. The monks at the abbey are encouraged to be self-supportive, and to give back to the community with the fruits of their labor. You may have heard of or seen the jams and jellies that the Trappist monks produce. The sale of these products helps to support their way of life. Several years ago, when searching for a new production medium, one of the brothers expressed an interest in brewing. After lots of research and data-gathering (two-years, to be exact!) the monks at Saint Joseph’s Abbey had learned from their European brothers how to produce excellent craft beer.

Creating Spencer Trappist Ale

The recipe for Spencer Trappist Ale originated from the beers traditionally served at the monk’s dinner table. Because the beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, the yeast that naturally carbonates the brew is preserved, contributing to the flavor of the beer and the aroma. Full-bodied with a golden hue and fruity accents, Spencer Trappist Ale has a light hop bitterness and a dry finish. Made with 100% USA ingredients, the brews that the monks at Saint Joseph’s Abbey create are made simply, with only the freshest ingredients.

The four basic ingredients that go into the production of the ale are water, barley, hops, and yeast.  Only the freshest, mineral-rich glacial water that is drawn from the well on the abbey’s property go into the production of their ale. Top it off with hops from Washington state’s Yakima Valley, and barley from the “Spencer Malt Mix”, and you are in for a pretty great tasting beer. Not to mention, the monks even propagate their own variety of live yeast at the monastery that is unfiltered and unpasteurized, left in the brew to add to its distinct flavor.

On top of using great, quality ingredients to create their beers, the monks at St. Joseph’s Abbey approach the brewery with the future in mind. Considering the brewery as 100-year endeavor allows the monks to be environmentally conscious and to utilize sustainable production processes whenever possible. To learn more about the Spencer Trappist Brewery’s commitment to sustainability, visit them online at www.spencerbrewery.com

If you are interested in learning more about beer, wine, or spirits, read our blog. Or, stop by Julio’s Liquors in Westborough, MA to try Spencer Trappist Ale for yourself! We have a wide variety of events and tastings ever month, which is just one of the reasons why we are called “Disney World for Adults”!