Trappist Ale
Spencer Brewery
Story by:
BC Review
Trappist Single
Year-Round
Massachusetts
United States
Judges Ratings 89
Aroma: 22 / 24
Flavor: 36 / 40
Appearance: 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 8 / 10
Overall Impression: 17 / 20
Description
Brewed by the monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey, this is America’s first Trappist beer. The recipe was inspired by the traditional refectory ales known as patersbier (“fathers’ beer” in Flemish) in Belgium. These sessionable beers are brewed by the monks for their dinner table and are typically only available at the monastery. Spencer 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 in the bottle and keg and contributes to the beer flavor and aroma.
Beverage Profile
ABV: 6.50%
IBUs: 25
Served at: (40°)
Hops: Wilamette, Nugget
Malts: Two-Row, Six-Row, Caramel Munich
Judges Review
By Owen Ogletree
Judges Ratings 89
Aroma: 22 / 24 / 24
Flavor: 36 / 40 / 40
Appearance: 6 / 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 8 / 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 17 / 20 / 20
Poured into a Belgian-style beer chalice, this elegant brew produces restrained aromas of fruity Belgian esters, banana, allspice, nutmeg, vanilla and light tropical fruit allusions. Deep gold in color with a slight haze and resilient stand of white, creamy foam, this selection offers all the beauty and allure expected in classic Trappist ales. Flavor notes of clove, complex malt and fl oral hops mingle with touches of banana, phenols, lemons and papaya – giving way to a light/medium, slightly dry finish of lingering malt and esters accentuated by water that seems rich in mineral content. This ale ranks as a respectable example of a graceful style of “everyday” beers enjoyed by many Trappist monks.
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