Massachusetts is Home to the Only Brewery Run by Monks in America, and Sadly it’s Closing

Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions or personal experiences.

Someone please come save this incredible, rare brewery.

Apparently, Trappist monks in Europe have brewed beer to cover expenses at their various monasteries for generations.   Here in the United States it's clearly not mainstream at all, considering the only brewery to this day is in central Massachusetts in a town called Spencer, where they brew a beer called Spencer. There's even an International Trappist Association of standards, and a Trappist Beer Club according to Food and Wine Magazine.

Anyway, in 2013, according to Food and Wine, St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, created Spencer Brewery. It is only the 9th brewery in the world to be officially approved as an Authentic Trappist Product label, and the first label outside of Europe at the time.  Now there are 11, but of course that will drop to ten soon.

You see, Food and Wine says that other European breweries run by Trappist Monks soared with noteworthy achievement, some as far back as the 19th century. However, the Spencer Brewery didn't quite reach that status.

Here's what the Trappist Monks at the Spencer Brewery posted on their Facebook page.

We want to thank all our customers for their support and encouragement over the years.  Our beer will be available in our regular retail outlets while supplies last. Please keep us in your prayers.