But now, it turns out, America's first Trappist Ale is coming to Ohio, including the Dayton market. Cavalier Distributing has partnered with Spencer Brewery in Spencer, Mass., to distribute Spencer Trappist Ale throughout Ohio.
The beer hasn’t made it to local retail shelves yet, but should start showing up soon, perhaps even as early as this week, a Cavalier representative said Friday.
The beer is brewed by the Trappist monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey, also known as Spencer Abbey. The abbey, formed in 1950, is a Roman Catholic monastery of monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, commonly known as Trappists. The monks live in silence and solitude, dedicating themselves to prayer, service and solitude, according to a Spencer release.
The Spencer Brewery is one of only 11 Trappist breweries in the world — and the first in the Americas.
Here’s how a Spencer release described its brew:
“Spencer Trappist Ale is a full-bodied, sunrise-hued ale with fruity accents, a dry finish and light hop bitterness. At 6.5 percent alcohol by volume, Spencer is one of the most accessible of the Trappist beers and complements a variety of foods. The monks recommend that the beer be served in a stemmed glass, preferably the distinctive Spencer glass designed specifically for the beer, and enjoyed responsibly, in the company of family and friends.”
Father Isaac Keeley, director of Spencer Brewery, said in the release, “We’re just so happy and grateful to be given the opportunity to share this labor of love with the world. We hope that by making this beer, we can both honor the centuries-old Trappist tradition, and contribute to this exciting time in American brewing history.”
Cavalier Distributing, established in 1992, focuses on American and imported craft beers. It distributes beer, spirits and other craft beverages in Ohio, Indiana and Florida. Its Ohio operations are headquartered in Cincinnati.
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