Trappist Beer: Where To Buy Spencer's Brew

Spencer Trappist Ale, America's first Trappist beer, was brewed by monks at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. Inspired by the traditional Belgian refectory ales, the golden-hued ale with fruity notes was the only certified Trappist beer made in the United States. While the monks have since ceased brewing operations, you may still be able to find limited stocks of the beer at select retailers or through online platforms like BeerMenus, BeerAdvocate, and Untappd.

Spencer Trappist Ale is available at regular retail outlets, while supplies last

Spencer Trappist Ale is America's first and only certified Trappist beer, and it's brewed by the monks of St. Joseph's Abbey. The recipe is inspired by traditional Belgian refectory ales, known as patersbier ("fathers' beer" in Flemish). These beers are typically brewed by monks for their dinner tables and are usually only available at the monastery. So it's a rare treat to be able to sample this beer outside of the monastery walls.

The ale is full-bodied and golden-hued, with fruity accents, a dry finish, and light hop bitterness. The unfiltered and unpasteurized nature of the beer preserves the live yeast, which naturally carbonates the beverage and contributes to its flavour and aroma. With a 6.5% ABV, it's a strong and distinctive drink.

While the brewery's website announces that the monks are grateful for their customers' support and encouragement over the years, beer enthusiasts can still find Spencer Trappist Ale at regular retail outlets. So, for those who want to savour this special brew, now is the time to stock up while supplies last. It's a chance to own a piece of history and enjoy a delicious, carefully crafted beer.

The beer is no longer being produced by the brewery

The monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, have decided to close the Spencer Brewery. After much contemplation, they concluded that brewing was not a sustainable business for them. The brewery produced the first and only certified Trappist beer in the United States, and its closure marks the end of an era for beer enthusiasts.

The Spencer Trappist Ale, inspired by the traditional Belgian refectory ales known as patersbier or "fathers' beer" in Flemish, was a unique offering. It was a full-bodied, golden ale with fruity notes, a dry finish, and a subtle hop bitterness. The beer was unfiltered and unpasteurized, allowing the live yeast to naturally carbonate the beverage and enhance its flavour and aroma.

While the beer is no longer being produced by the brewery, it will be available at regular retail outlets until supplies last. Beer enthusiasts can still savour the distinctive taste of Spencer Trappist Ale and cherish the memories associated with this award-winning brew. The monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey have expressed gratitude for the support they received over the years.

The decision to close the brewery has left a void in the craft beer scene, and many fans of the Spencer Trappist Ale have expressed their disappointment. The beer had garnered a dedicated following, with enthusiasts praising its exceptional flavour and uniqueness among Trappist-style beers. The closure of the brewery underscores the challenges faced by small-scale producers in the competitive craft beer industry.

Despite the end of production, the legacy of the Spencer Trappist Ale will endure. It served as a testament to the monks' brewing traditions and brought people together in appreciation of fine beer. Beer enthusiasts can continue to seek out the remaining stock of this ale and savour each sip, cherishing the fleeting pleasure it brings.

It is America's first Trappist beer

Spencer Trappist Ale is America's first and only certified Trappist beer, brewed by the monks of St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. The beer is a full-bodied, golden ale with fruity accents, a dry finish, and light hop bitterness. It is unfiltered and unpasteurised, preserving the live yeast that contributes to the beer's flavour and aroma. The recipe was inspired by the traditional refectory ales known as patersbier ("fathers' beer" in Flemish), which are typically brewed by monks for their dinner and are only available at the monastery.

The Spencer Brewery was founded by the monks of St. Joseph's Abbey in 2014. While the concept of monks brewing and selling beer was novel in the United States, it has a long history in Europe, with Trappist brews like Chimay, Orval, and Westmalle being made by monasteries for centuries. The arrival of Spencer Brewery in the United States created quite a buzz, and their flagship beer, the Trappist Ale, was initially well-received.

However, in 2022, the monks of St. Joseph's Abbey announced the closure of the brewery, citing the changing beer market in the US and the increasing competition from craft breweries. The lack of a tap room also hindered the brewery's performance, as on-site beer sales can bring higher profits for brewers. Despite the initial success and interest in the brewery, the monks concluded that brewing was not a viable industry for them and decided to focus on their contemplative life and activities that support their prayers.

Although the Spencer Brewery has ceased production, their Trappist Ale will remain available in regular retail outlets while supplies last. The beer's unique characteristics, such as its full body, fruity notes, and natural carbonation, have garnered praise from beer enthusiasts, with some considering it the best beer they've ever tasted. The closure of the brewery may make this Trappist Ale even more sought-after, as beer lovers rush to get their hands on a piece of Massachusetts history.

The recipe was inspired by traditional Belgian refectory ales

Spencer Trappist Ale is the first and only certified Trappist beer made in the United States. It is brewed by the monks of St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. The recipe was inspired by the traditional refectory ales known as patersbier ("fathers' beer" in Flemish) in Belgium.

Belgian monks have been brewing beer for centuries, resulting in a broad range of indigenous beer styles. Trappist beers are brewed by monks of the Trappist Order, and there are five Trappist breweries in Belgium: Westmalle, Westvleteren, Chimay, Orval, and Rochefort. In addition, three Flemish Norbertine communities brew within the walls of their monastery: in Averbode, Heverlee, and Grimbergen.

Patersbier is a sessionable beer, typically brewed by monks for their dinner table and only available at the monastery. It is a full-bodied, golden-hued ale with fruity accents, a dry finish, and light hop bitterness. The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, preserving live yeast that naturally carbonates the beer and contributes to its flavor and aroma.

Spencer Trappist Ale is a unique offering, as it is the only Trappist beer brewed outside of Belgium, and it has gained recognition as America's first Trappist beer. While it may not be the best-looking beer, with a slightly dirty appearance, it has been praised for its outstanding flavor, described as the finest among Trappist-style beers worldwide.

The monks of St. Joseph's Abbey have recently decided to close their brewery, citing brewing as an unviable industry for them. However, their beer will still be available in regular retail outlets while supplies last.

The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurised

The Spencer Trappist Ale is unfiltered and unpasteurised, which means it contains live yeast. This is because the beer is brewed using traditional methods. The live yeast in the beer has several benefits. Firstly, it naturally carbonates the beer in the bottle and keg, and secondly, it contributes to the beer's flavour and aroma.

Unpasteurised beer has several health benefits. It contains live yeast, which is one of the most effective ways of getting vitamin B complexes. Vitamin B also helps to counteract hangovers. Unpasteurised beer may also contain lactobacillus, which is a beneficial bacteria found in fermented vegetables and dairy products such as yoghurt and kefir.

Drinking unpasteurised beer is safe. The alcohol in the beer will kill any harmful bacteria. However, it is important to note that unpasteurised beer has a shorter shelf life than pasteurised beer.

Bottle-conditioned beers are also unpasteurised. This is a centuries-old tradition of preserving beer, where a second brief fermentation occurs in the bottle, carbonating the beer naturally.

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