Spencer, the American Trappist beer

The only Trappist brewery across the Atlantic

Trappist beers are world-famous for their authenticity, traditional brewing methods, and unique yeasts. Today, there are just 12 official Trappist breweries worldwide, but only one is located outside Europe. Separated from its counterparts by the Atlantic Ocean, this brewery proudly represents the USA: Spencer.

Saint Joseph’s abbey

To discover the story of Spencer, we head to Massachusetts in the northern United States, where the monks of Saint Joseph’s Abbey live in the town of Spencer. Their history is marked by resilience: originally from Notre-Dame de la Trappe Abbey in France, the monks fled during the French Revolution. After temporary stays in Switzerland and later Nova Scotia, their communities were twice devastated by fire — first in Halifax and later in Providence, Rhode Island. Finally, in 1950, 80 monks settled permanently at Saint Joseph’s Abbey, where fertile agricultural land provided a peaceful and sustainable home.

Saint Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer

For many years, the monks supported themselves by producing jams and jellies. But more recently, they embarked on a new chapter: brewing their own Spencer Trappist beer.

Spencer Trappist beer

If you are passionate about craft beer, you’ve certainly heard of Trappist beers — brewed by monks within monasteries, often with centuries-old traditions. Famous names include Orval, Chimay, Westmalle, and the elusive Westvleteren. Yet, there are also lesser-known gems such as Tre Fontane (Italy), Engelszell (Austria), and, of course, Spencer (USA).

What makes them special is the Authentic Trappist Product (ATP) label. This certification guarantees that the beer is brewed within a Trappist abbey, under monastic supervision, with profits reinvested into maintaining the monastery or donated to charity. In short: when you drink a Trappist beer, you not only enjoy outstanding quality but also support the monastic community.

So, what about Spencer?

Despite being a relatively young brewery — officially recognized in 2013 — Spencer has developed an impressive lineup of seven beers across different styles, from lagers to stouts. Their flagship is the Trappist Ale, a Belgian-style pale ale with 6.5% ABV. It’s refreshing yet complex, offering aromas and flavours of fruit, caramel, banana, honey, and apricot, with yeast notes reminiscent of classic Belgian beers.

Other Spencer beers

  • Trappist holiday Ale – A powerful 9% amber ale with notes of spice, ripe fruit, cinnamon, yeast, and malt.
  • Trappist Monk’s Reserve Ale – A rich quadruple-style brown ale with flavours of caramel, roasted malt, dried fruit, plum, and liquorice.
  • Trappist Imperial Stout – A bold, black beer inspired by Anglo-Russian traditions, delivering roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, hops, and burnt caramel notes with a refined bitterness.
  • Spencer India Pale Ale – An American-style IPA with a golden-orange hue, a fine white head, and aromas of flowers, hops, biscuit, caramel, and fruit in a crisp, bitter profile.
  • Trappist Feierabendbier – A light and sparkling Pilsener (4.7% ABV) with golden colour, white head, and refreshing notes of malt, grass, and yeast.
  • Trappist Festive Lager – An Oktoberfest-inspired amber lager with a balance of roasted malt, caramel, and dried fruit.

Though young, Spencer Brewery has quickly proven itself worthy of the Authentic Trappist Product designation. Open a bottle from their range, and you’ll immediately understand why it stands proudly among the world’s Trappist breweries. Cheers!

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