Spencer Trappist Ale
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Tasting Notes
The aroma opens with light fruity esters — think pear and a touch of orange peel — alongside a mild, biscuity malt base. On the palate, soft bread and gentle spice from Belgian yeast lead into a restrained hop bitterness that keeps things balanced rather than bright. The body is medium and smooth without being heavy, and the finish is moderately dry with a faint warmth. It's a composed, quietly complex beer that rewards slow drinking.
About the Brewery
Spencer is brewed at Saint Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, and when it launched in 2013 it became the first Trappist-certified brewery in the United States. The monks brew under the Authentic Trappist Product seal, the same designation carried by the historic Belgian and Dutch Trappist houses. Their lineup is small and deliberately considered, staying true to the monastic tradition of brewing as a means of sustaining the abbey community rather than scaling for commercial growth.
Food Pairings
Roast chicken pairs well because the beer's gentle malt and ester character mirrors the savory-sweet quality of the skin. A farmhouse cheese like Comté or Gruyère finds common ground with the yeast-driven spice notes. Mussels steamed in white wine echo the beer's subtle fruit and clean finish. A simple charcuterie spread — cured ham, cornichons, whole-grain mustard — works because the beer's carbonation and mild bitterness cut through fat without overwhelming delicate flavors.
Style Guide
Belgian Pale Ale is a moderate-strength, malt-forward style that originated in Belgium, partly as a local answer to the popularity of British pale ales in the early twentieth century. It sits lighter and less intensely spiced than a saison and lacks the higher alcohol and complexity of a Belgian tripel, making it one of the more approachable entries in the Belgian family. Defining characteristics include soft, bready malt, moderate fruity esters from Belgian yeast strains, restrained hop presence, and a finish that leans dry without being sharp. ABV typically runs between 5% and 6.5%.