How many breweries are located in a monastery?
No, seriously, I’m asking.
Do a quick google search and you’ll find that there are 10. They are known as Trappist breweries due to the fact that the beer is brewed by monks. Of the 10 only one is located within the United States, St. Joseph’s Abbey in Massachusetts, which produce Spencer Trappist Ale.
What if I told you that number was about to become two? And the second is right here in Dubois County Indiana.
Excited right?
Me too.
I recently spoke, via email, with co-founder Vince Luecke (no he is not a monk) about Saint Benedict’s Brew Works. Vince told me that the brewery, which would be situated on the grounds of the Sisters of Saint Benedicts in Ferdinand, Indiana just may be the only brewery on the grounds of a women’s religious community. (It may be the only one in the world, but don’t quote me on that, unless of course it’s true.)
According to Luecke, Saint Benedict’s Brew Works anticipates offering 5-6 year-round beers at first. Including a creamy ale, porter, Belgian dubel, tripel, stout, and a hefeweizen. The latter of which won best of show at the 2014 Jasper Strassenfest.
In addition to beer, Luecke hopes to offer German-style deli sandwiches to compliment cookies and other treats made in the Sisters of St. Benedict gift shop, For Heaven’s Sake, which is located right next to the brewery. (I bet the baked goods taste, you guessed it, heavenly.)
Stay tuned to Indiana On Tap for more news about Saint Benedict’s Brew Works as more information becomes available.
Allan
While there are only 10 recognized Trappist breweries, there are several Monastic breweries, including the Strahov Brewery in Poland .