Name: Thong D. Nontaz
...The Order of Cistercians was founded in 1098 Monk Brewing Beer A medieval monk, most likely Cistercian (they wear white habits), brewing beer. Eventually, the monks figured out you could run water through the mash multiple times to get more use from the grains. This was first discovered (documented) by the Jesuit brewers who offered a 5% to travelers and used the 2.5% second run beer for themselves.
The next big step came when they realized that people would pay a lot more for a stronger beer, more than the cost of the extra grain. This allowed even bigger beers with more runnings. The first runoff would be the richest and brew the best beer. The second would be next best, and the final running would be the weakest. Again, the first would go to the guests and be sold to help maintain the abbey. The second would be for the monk’s use. The last runnings would be for the poor. This is also the likely origin for terms “single,” “double,” “triple,” and “quadruple.” (To learn more about this, read my piece on the subject at the Q & Ale section of this blog at this link). This tradition of self-sustainability coupled with hospitality continued into Belgium as the “Trappists” spread across Europe in the aftermath of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Since the monks couldn’t really grow wine grapes effectively, and the Lowlands (Belgium and Netherlands) were beer dominated cultures, the newly established monasteries focused on beer as way to maintain their abbeys. The rules that govern the legally-protected rights to use the label are: 51 responses to “The Brewing Monks: A Brief History of the Trappist Order and Monastic Brewing” Master Quill May 9, 2013 at 11:42 am · · Reply → Nice piece about some of the best beers around. I also delved into this and liked the beers a lot! Remember this one ;-) http://masterquill.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/westmalle-tripel-9-5-33-cl/ ithinkaboutbeer May 9, 2013 at 7:28 pm · · Reply → I remember! I’m going big time with these posts! The Alemonger May 9, 2013 at 6:55 pm · · Reply → You missed the one out in New Mexico….. ;) Nice post. I need to be a bit more open to the full range of Trappist beers. Cheers! ithinkaboutbeer May 9, 2013 at 7:27 pm · · Reply → There are quite a few Trappist monasteries that are part of the ITA and can use the Trappist logo. I’m just talking about the beer ones. :) Belgian Beer Journal November 1, 2013 at 11:39 am · · Reply → @The Alemonger… if you haven’t already discovered this, the Abbey you are referring to is of a different order. They are Benedictine monks, not Trappist (Cistercian.) Having enjoyed Trappist Ales for 30 years, I should have known this fact, but I forgot about it! Chris (the owner of I Think About Beer) schooled us on that fact! Read more on that here: http://belgianbeerjournal.wordpress.com/media/news/trappist-brewery-9-in-the-united-states/ Pingback: Stift Engelszell Nivard | I think about beer·
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