International Trappists

The Stift Ingleszell Abbey and Gregorius

It’s hard to think of Trappist beers without gravitating toward the Belgian Trappist breweries. Belgians Chimay, Westmalle, Orval, Westvleteren, Rochefort, Achel and the Dutch brewery Koningshoeven (La Trappe) are the superstars of Trappist brewing. In recent years, though, a number on non-Belgian Trappist beers have come onto the beer scene and are making some great beers. These would be Zundert (Netherlands) Stift Engelszell (Austria), Spencer (USA), Mont des Cats (France), Tre Fontane (Italy), Cardeña (Spain), and Tynt Meadow (England).

 Modern World Challenges

One cannot overestimate the level of challenge for a new brewery entering the market with Trappist beers outside of Belgium. It has been hard enough for the Belgian Trappists in modern times. One challenge for all Trappist breweries is that the Trappist rules require that brewing be conducted or overseen by the monks in the monasteries. The problem is that the number of men entering Trappist orders to become monks has been declining for some time. The reality is that monastic life is not easy. As the number of monks dwindles, some breweries do not have a sufficient number of monks to preside over brewery operations. Recently, Achel – one of the Belgian Trappist breweries – lost its last monk and is no longer considered a Trappist brewery. Eventually, the Trappist requirements for monk supervision may have to be changed.

Spencer; St. Joseph’s Abbey

Another challenge, especially true for the new international Trappists, is that the world of artisan craft beer has expanded enormously, creating a lot of competition and barriers to entry for new breweries. Not long ago, the only American Trappist brewery, Spencer, called it quits and stopped brewing. With close to 10,000 breweries in the U.S. it was hard to compete and the Trappist name didn’t guarantee Spencer’s success. There are rumors going around that some of the other Trappists might be in trouble as well.

 Rivaling Their Belgian Counterparts

All that considered, good beers are being made and the non-Belgian Trappists are worth taking a look into.

Mont des Cats

Mont des Cats was established in France in 1848. The name does not actually reference cats. It is derived from the name of a German tribe known as Chatti (Chattes in French). Their beer is a 7.6% Strong Golden Ale that is actually brewed by Chimay, since Mont des Cats does not have its own brewery. For this reason, while the monastery is Trappist, it cannot bear the designation Authentic Trappist Product. The beer has a malty caramel flavor, with background flavors of dried fruits, spices and herbal hops.

Zundert comes from the Brouwerij Abdij Maria Toevlucht in the Netherlands. La Trappe beers from the Koningshoeven brewery have been well established for many years, but nearby Zundert was established in 2013. Zundert makes two beers – a Tripel and a Quadrupel. The Tripel, designated Zundert 8, is chestnut-colored and is darker than most Tripels. Its aroma is malty and herbal. Its flavor is floral, herbal and slightly sweet with hints of caramel, hop bitterness and spice. It is 8.0% ABV and finishes dry.

The Quadrupel, Zundert 10 (10% ABV) is deep ruby brown with a dense off-white head. It is rich and malty with aroma and flavor notes of dried fruit, figs, plums, spices, licorice and chocolate. It is full-bodied with a long dry finish. If you can find them, both Zundert ales are well worth trying.

The Stift Engelszell Brewery was established in 2012 in Austria. The Abbey dates back to 1293, but did not become a Trappist abbey until 1925. They started brewing in 2012 and make five beers: Gregorius is a 9.7% Tripelbock made with local honey. Benno is a 6.9% doppelbock (Dubbel) with notes of fruit, bread and spice. Zwickl is a 4.7% pale Kellerbier. Nivard is a 5.5% Belgian-style pale ale, and Weisse Hell is a 4.9% pale wheat beer. Unfortunately, the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance ordered the community of Engelszell closed in May of 2023.

Spencer - St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts was established in 2013 as the first Trappist brewery in the United States. They started out with a Belgian-style pale ale, later adding a quadrupel, an imperial stout and an IPA to its lineup. After having opened to much fanfare in 2014, Spencer soon found themselves struggling in the highly competitive craft beer marketplace. On May 14th, 2022, Spencer announced that it was getting out of the beer business.

Tre Fontane - The brewery at Abbazia Delle Tre Fontane in Rome, Italy, was established in 2015. Its first beer was an 8.5% Tripel, brewed from an ancient recipe and infused with eucalyptus. Tre Fontane makes two other beers: Scala Coeli, and amber ale, and the limited release Sinergia IPA, brewed in collaboration with Spencer Trappist.

 Tynt Meadow – from the Mount St. Bernard Abbey in England was first brewed in 2018. It is a 7.4% dark Trappist ale, that is mahogany colored with an aroma of dark chocolate, licorice and fruit. It is full-bodied with a dry finish and balanced flavors of dark chocolate, pepper and fig.

Tynt Meadow Trappist Ale and St. Bernard Abbey

Cardeña, the newest Trappist brewery, released by the Monasterio San Pedro de Cardeña in Spain, was established in 2019. The monastery’s roots go back to the 9th century. The Belgian-style Tripel, a 7.0% pale amber beer with notes of caramel, dried fruit, and spice, it the flagship beer. Cardeña also make a 6.0% Dubbel and a 10.0% Quadrupel. Since the beers are actually brewed in Madrid, they cannot use the coveted Authentic Trappist Product seal.

While we all will continue to hold the Belgian Trappist beers in high regard, there are some very fine Trappist ales being produced by non-Belgian breweries. If you can find them, by all means grab them and treat yourself!