Spencer Brewery, the only Trappist abbey brewery in the U.S., is closing, and its Belgian-style beers will be retired. craftbeer beertwitter belgianbeer
Sad, worrisome news to report today from a particularly difficult niche of the U.S. craft beer world, as the monks of Spencer, Massachusetts’ Spencer Brewery announced that the only Trappist brewery in the U.S. would cease operations. It’s yet another depressing beer headline from an industry that hasn’t had many positive stories to report since even before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“After more than a year of consultation and reflection, the monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey have come to the sad conclusion that brewing is not a viable industry for us and that it is time to close the Spencer Brewery,” said the brewery via a press statement. “We want to thank all our customers for their support and encouragement over the years. Our beer will be available in our regular retail outlets while supplies last. Please keep us in your prayers.
The monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey are a community of Catholic Cistercian monks who first took root in Spencer in 1950. Like similar abbeys in Belgium, they sought to bring the monastic beer brewing tradition to the U.S. as a means of supporting the operations of the abbey—traditionally, Trappist breweries produce only as much beer as they need to sell to cover the abbey’s operation, living expenses and improvements.
Perhaps unexpectedly, it was never the beer that seemed to be an issue for Spencer—it was received pretty warmly by the craft beer community, and seemed to perform well in tastings against the Belgian classics after which it was modeled. Rather, the brewery seemed to struggle more with marketing itself in an ultra-competitive U.S. market, especially when saddled with a notably high price point. In the U.S.
It’s a shame to think that the U.S. will lose its only Trappist designated brewery. We hope that the monks of St. Joseph’s will find a new revenue stream to otherwise continue their operations as they see fit.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eat Your Way Through Tulsa, OklahomaEverything to eat, drink, and see in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Read more »
Abbey Road Studios Reveals First-Ever Music Photography Award WinnersThe awards, celebrating the best music photography from 2021, will be held at the legendary studios in May
Read more »
US 60 eastbound lanes reopen in Tempe, westbound lanes remains closed following water main breakJUST IN: Eastbound lanes of US 60 in Tempe have reopened as of May 15 following the closure of both directions due to a major water main break on May 7.
Read more »
Eastbound US 60 reopens, westbound lanes still closed after water main breakThe eastbound lanes of US 60 have reopened between Interstate 10 and McClintock Drive Sunday afternoon, according to Arizona Department of Transportation. abc15
Read more »
Sunday Riley’s New Skin-Care Set Takes a Travel Cue from ‘Downton Abbey’With the South of France as a backdrop in ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era,’ the film has teamed up with the beauty brand for a kit of on-the-road essentials.
Read more »