Beer talk - June 2014 - Toledo Talk

Latest that I've heard is the Black Cloister plans to begin brewing in August, and they will be open to the public in September. They will emphasize Belgian-style beers, such as Strong, Wit, Trippel, and Saison. They will also offer other styles.

My wife and I have brewed several beers at home this spring and early summer, including Belgian-styles, such as Wit, Blonde, and Trippel.

In recent months, we've sampled a fair number of commercial beers, and our prefs right now are for the Belgian styles. I like the beers produced by New York state brewery Ommegang.

But lately, we've narrowed down our purchases at The Andersons to Trappist beers. Only 10 Trappist breweries receive the "Authentic Trappist Product" logo, and The Andersons sells beer from at least six of those breweries.

The Rochefort 10 Trappist Belgian Ale is amazing. But we've enjoyed the others too, such as La Trappe Trappist Ale, Chimay Ale (blue label), Westmalle Trappist Ale, Achel Brune, and Orval Trappist Ale.

The only U.S. Trappist brewery is located at St. Joseph's Abbey in Massachusetts. Their beer is called Spencer Trappist Ale. If anyone knows how to acquire that besides going to Massachusetts, let me know.

A bit about the story behind Spencer Trappist Ale:

• January 2014 - Toledo Blade - American abbey joins brotherhood of beer brewers
• May/June 2014 - Brew Magazine - American Trappists - fascinating story

Of course, breweries like to design and sell their own glassware.

The Spencer glass was designed, through the collaborative efforts of the monks, Libbey Glass, and other expert consultants, to be the perfect glass for enjoying our Trappist Ale.

Evening yard work in 90-degree weather makes wish we had some Belgian farmhouse ale on hand, something a little lighter than a Belgian quad.

#beer - #toledo