Beer, barbecue draw thousands to abbey in Spencer
By Justine E Caggiano, Correspondent
Posted Jun 25, 2017 at 10:42 AM
Updated Jun 25, 2017 at 11:15 PM
SPENCER - Beer and barbecue drew a crowd to St. Joseph’s Abbey for
the monks’ second annual open house Saturday at the Spencer Brewery,
America’s first Trappist brewery.
“Last year we had such an overwhelming response,” said the Rev. Isaac Keeley, brewery director.
About 2,500 attended last year, and more than 3,000 were expected this time.
“We felt such gratitude from people at last year’s event - they were saying ‘thank you for letting us into the monastery’ - that we absolutely want to keep this event ongoing.”
For a brewery to be certified as Trappist, it has to be located inside the monastic enclosure and cannot be open to the public. The open house is the only time the public is allowed on the grounds of the monastery.
Bill Arduser came from Conway to attend the open house.
“We’ve wanted to come here for a year. We saw on Facebook they were having an open house, and we have never seen such an amazing and lovely property.”
The Spencer Brewery is the only Trappist brewery outside of Europe. About 40 percent of the beer it produces is sent to Belgium.
“My brand is better known in Europe than the United States,” said Rev. Isaac.
Out of the 55 monks who belong to the monastery, five work in the brewery, and four other people work in packaging and distributing.
The Spencer Brewery has seven beers that were sampled at the open
house. They included the original Spencer Trappist Ale, Trappist Holiday
Ale, Trappist imperial Stout, Trappist IPA, Trappist Festive Lager,
Trappist Feierabendbier and the new Belgian Trappist Quadruple Ale,
which has an alcohol content of 10.2 percent, the most of all seven
beers.
The open house was filled with craft beer enthusiasts and thousands were there for the chicken barbecue. The proceeds benefited the Spencer Fire Department. Glassware, T-shirts and Trappist preserves were for sale.
“This is more of an event than last year,” said Karen O’Brien of Auburn. “You can enjoy a pint of beer while sitting outside and enjoying what’s going on.”
Spencer Selectman Warren Monette enjoyed the day.
“This is fantastic for the town,” Mr. Monette said. “This is exactly what we need, and more of it, to see the beauty the town has to offer.”
Brewing beer is in Trappist monk history, but was not originally the mission of St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer. The abbey began as a dairy farm and later became known for its jellies and preserves.
In 2000, at a strategic planning meeting it was discovered that going forward there may be a revenue issue. From there, the monks began a two-year data-gathering mission, and after development stages and the brewery was built in 2013.
“Failing is not an option,” said Rev. Isaac. “We have done better than expected.”
There is no doubt the success of this small-town craft brewery as people came from all over to tour, sample, and take in the more than 500 acres of St. Joseph’s Abbey.
“I think the draw of this is the beer and the culture, since we are the only Trappist brewery outside of Europe and because we aren’t open to the public,” said Rev. Isaac.
“It is an excuse to visit the monastery, and I think it’s great to share it.”
“Last year we had such an overwhelming response,” said the Rev. Isaac Keeley, brewery director.
About 2,500 attended last year, and more than 3,000 were expected this time.
“We felt such gratitude from people at last year’s event - they were saying ‘thank you for letting us into the monastery’ - that we absolutely want to keep this event ongoing.”
For a brewery to be certified as Trappist, it has to be located inside the monastic enclosure and cannot be open to the public. The open house is the only time the public is allowed on the grounds of the monastery.
Bill Arduser came from Conway to attend the open house.
“We’ve wanted to come here for a year. We saw on Facebook they were having an open house, and we have never seen such an amazing and lovely property.”
The Spencer Brewery is the only Trappist brewery outside of Europe. About 40 percent of the beer it produces is sent to Belgium.
“My brand is better known in Europe than the United States,” said Rev. Isaac.
Out of the 55 monks who belong to the monastery, five work in the brewery, and four other people work in packaging and distributing.
The open house was filled with craft beer enthusiasts and thousands were there for the chicken barbecue. The proceeds benefited the Spencer Fire Department. Glassware, T-shirts and Trappist preserves were for sale.
“This is more of an event than last year,” said Karen O’Brien of Auburn. “You can enjoy a pint of beer while sitting outside and enjoying what’s going on.”
Spencer Selectman Warren Monette enjoyed the day.
“This is fantastic for the town,” Mr. Monette said. “This is exactly what we need, and more of it, to see the beauty the town has to offer.”
Brewing beer is in Trappist monk history, but was not originally the mission of St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer. The abbey began as a dairy farm and later became known for its jellies and preserves.
In 2000, at a strategic planning meeting it was discovered that going forward there may be a revenue issue. From there, the monks began a two-year data-gathering mission, and after development stages and the brewery was built in 2013.
There is no doubt the success of this small-town craft brewery as people came from all over to tour, sample, and take in the more than 500 acres of St. Joseph’s Abbey.
“I think the draw of this is the beer and the culture, since we are the only Trappist brewery outside of Europe and because we aren’t open to the public,” said Rev. Isaac.
“It is an excuse to visit the monastery, and I think it’s great to share it.”
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