Spencer Brewery to Open to the Public for One Day Only

Spencer Trappist Ale. / Photo by Pat Piasecki for “Trappist Tale“

The monks behind Spencer Brewery don’t do tours. In fact, they haven’t once opened their doors to the public since establishing the first American Trappist brewery in the early 2000s. But after enough inquiries from fans to see the brewhouse floor, coupled with a string of recent beer releases, the folks at St. Joseph’s Abbey have decided to let protocol slide for one day only, Wicked Local‘s Beer Nut blog reports.

On Saturday, August 6, Spencer Brewer will host a free open house, giving patrons a chance to walk the Abbey’s brewing space, to see where the country’s only certified Trappist beer is brewed, and to buy beer and swag directly from the monastery.

During the so-called Summer Sales Event, brewery director Father Isaac Keeley and company have glassware on offer, as well as six packs of the brewery’s two newest beers: a Trappist IPA (the first of its kind), and Spencer’s newest offering, a German-style pilsner called Feierbendbier. If you’re of legal drinking age, you can sample the two beers before purchase, too. All sales will be cash only, so arrive prepared.

Most of the world’s notable monastery breweries, including Chimay and Orval, don’t normally allow public access to their breweries. If you’re a fan of Trappist beers, don’t miss this rare opportunity to see the nation’s only such brewery up close.

Summer Sales Event, Saturday, August 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Spencer Brewery, 167 N Spencer Rd., Spencer, spencerbrewery.com.