American Trappist Beer in MA

Discussion in 'Beer News' started by dawatts, May 21, 2012.

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  1. Jnorton00

    Jnorton00 Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2007 Massachusetts

    Has anyone heard anything new about this lately?
     
  2. Jaru1026

    Jaru1026 Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2011 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I am at Yankee spirits a lot, and actually got to meet and talk with Brother Jonah. One of the Brothers who will actually be doing the brewing. They come into Yankee quite often to get things for tastings. Anyway we got to talking when I saw him picking out some Trappists beers, I mentioned that they were going to start brewing in Spencer. Low and behold he was the one to being doing it! He mentioned that one of the monks from Chimay was over there helping them get everything together, also that him and another Brother would be going over to Chimay to be taught. This was maybe a little over a month ago? So its well in the process. I talked to him for a good 30 minutes it was awesome to actually meet the person who is going to be brewing.
     
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  3. silentjay

    silentjay Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2008 Massachusetts

    I met the brewer from Chimay that was looking into locations a while ago at the Armsby Abbey.

    Cool to talk to him about the differences in beer culture, culture in general, and beer in general.

    I don't think he was a monk, though, but rather a brewer that works with them. Not too sure.
     
  4. BearsOnAcid

    BearsOnAcid Pooh-Bah (2,215) Mar 17, 2009 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I dont think any monks brew Chimay. I've heard the same goes for most or all of the other trappist beers. Not totally certain about westy or achel.
     
  5. Lukie

    Lukie Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2007 Australia

    It's a fine line with the monks actually brewing. La Trappe monks stopped brewing, and had a third party come in to brew their beers and their Trappist authentication was removed for a few years. I would expect that some of the monks help in the process, if one is not the head brewer.
     
  6. ZEROorDIE

    ZEROorDIE Initiate (0) Jan 20, 2010 Massachusetts

    well, im not far, and this sounds awesome. if it happens i will definitely be making a trip.
     
  7. Patrick

    Patrick Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2007 Massachusetts
    Deactivated

    I think I read somewhere that a monk just has to be present, or something like that, while the brewing is going on. I don't particularly care about the Trappist designation, but hopefully this new brewery in MA makes some quality beer.
     
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  8. dennis3951

    dennis3951 Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2008 New Jersey

    They should try making a Trappist Burbon!
     
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  9. dawatts

    dawatts Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2006 Massachusetts

    Also to note, during construction they hit a natural spring directly underneath the brewing facility. Water source score!
     
  10. Jason

    Jason Founder (0) Aug 23, 1996 Massachusetts

    Good for them, MA has some of the best water IMO.
     
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  11. brikelly

    brikelly Pundit (781) Apr 11, 2010 Massachusetts

  12. Brunite

    Brunite Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2009 Illinois

    Pretty good wine from what I've heard!:sunglasses:
     
  13. jte5029

    jte5029 Initiate (0) Apr 24, 2013 Pennsylvania

    My uncle is actually a Monk at the Abbey, and I was just there for his ceremony to becoming a Deacon. He was previously head of the linens crafting there. Our other friend, also a monk, is in charge of the Jelly Preserves facility. During my visit I was given a tour of the new brewing facility, which is basically just the outer structure and slight interior work so far. Pictures will be up soon, I just have to ask my Uncle if I am allowed to post them first :astonished:.

    The plan is to have the beer flowing by OCTOBER 2013!!!! I am very excited for this as I was invited to the grand opening and the first pour! :wink:

    Back Story: About 8 or 9 years ago they came across the idea for a Trappist Brewery on the property to increase revenue for the Abbey. They sent a group of Monks over to Europe to the Chimay brewery and other fellow Trappist breweries around the world to study the art of crafting fine beer. After years of training they brought contractors in and specialists from the other Trappist breweries to survey the land and find a suitable location to house the Brewery. Now that the final project is almost completed, they have carefully been crafting a group of about 7 or 8 final recipes that will eventually become their own products.

    They have to follow certain rules though...Basically they are allowed to have one beer recipe as a trial period within the first half of a year or so to see how sales go, then they will work on crafting more of their. The brothers (monks) created 7 different brews for professionals to taste test, and all of the tasters have selected the EXACT SAME ONE, so we know their first beer (not allowed to disclose any information about it) will be an amazing one!

    Also the name of the beer will have Spencer somewhere in the name, as it is a tradition for Trappist beers to have the town name in them.

    Any other information I can give is that the facility is humongous for a "micro-brewery" and they are going to be able to pump out a ton of this stuff. Also it is a beautiful facility with ceiling-high glass in the front so you can peer through and watch where the magic happens.

    As is accustom with the Abbey laws, no women are allowed in the manufacturing sections of the property so I don't know if they will be allowed on tours of the facility. (Sorry ladies)

    Hope this helped! Let me know if you have any other questions :slight_smile:
     
  14. dawatts

    dawatts Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2006 Massachusetts

    This is awesome information dude. Thank you so much for contributing!
     
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  15. jte5029

    jte5029 Initiate (0) Apr 24, 2013 Pennsylvania

    No problem! I will try to get the pics up as soon as I receive word from my uncle. Also I will be sure to take a lot of pictures in October at the grand opening and post them up as well!
     
  16. dawatts

    dawatts Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2006 Massachusetts

    I may see you there. I have an in. :grinning:
     
  17. mixylplik3

    mixylplik3 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2007 Maine

    Thanks for that excellent update. Really looking forward to this!
     
  18. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    Anyone know why this is?
     
  19. CelticAleMan

    CelticAleMan Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2010 California

    Probably because roles are gender specific. Also, men and women are separated to reduce the temptation of sex. You have to remember that the monks are to remain celibate. Celibacy is very unnatural, so steps must be taken to curb natural desires.
     
  20. morebeergood

    morebeergood Grand Pooh-Bah (3,278) Aug 13, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I was talking to someone today at a local supply company. He knew that I am into beer. He mentioned his company recently began selling the Abbey some plumbing equipment to install the brewing machinery. He said that the monks there told him they hope to begin brewing by the end of 2013. So the process has begun.........
     
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