Press Release / July 31, 2018 (Spencer, MA) – The Trappist monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey who own and operate The Spencer Brewery are pleased to announce that they have partnered with Mariner Beverages to bring their beers to Maine starting in September 2018. The Spencer Brewery is one of twelve certified Trappist breweries in the world, and is the only one outside of Europe.
Trappist monks follow the Benedictine counsel of ora et labora (prayer and work), and for centuries have supported themselves by the work of their own hands, producing a variety of products, including beer. All twelve Trappist breweries must operate in accordance with the strict rules set by the International Trappist Association (ITA), a nonprofit which ensures that the beers are brewed at the abbey, under the supervision of the monks, and that the profits provide for the needs of the monastic community and its charitable outreach. The Trappist name is a registered trademark, and beers can be identified by the hexagonal “Authentic Trappist Product” logo displayed on their labels.
Since their launch of Spencer Trappist Ale in January 2014, the brewery has added an additional eight beers to their line-up, with each earning the approval of the ITA. The beers they produce range from traditional Trappist beer offerings to distinctive interpretations of American Craft beer styles. The nine beers produced are available throughout the year on both a year-round and seasonal schedule. All of these beers will be available to the Maine market (seasonal selections at the appropriate time).
For the monks, their brewery marks both the culmination of years of hard work, and an exciting new chapter in the 193 year-old story of their monastic community. “We’re happy and grateful to be given the opportunity to share this labor of love with the world,” says Father Isaac Keeley, director of Spencer Brewery. “In our tradition beer is food (liquid bread), and Spencer is a unique experience. We hope that by brewing these beers, we can both honor the centuries-old Trappist tradition, and contribute to this exciting moment in the American Craft beer movement. We hope they will be enjoyed throughout Maine.”
For more information about Spencer Brewery, visit www.spencerbrewery.com
The brewery can also be found on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram – @SpencerBrewery
For more information about St. Joseph’s Abbey, visit www.spencerabbey.org
Mariner Beverages: Our History
Established in 2006, Mariner Beverages has grown to become Maine’s largest “independent” wholesale distributor of wine and beer. The company was founded by Tim Wissemann. Prior to starting Mariner, Tim owned and operated a retail beverage store in Portland. He watched the consolidation of other distributors and their product offerings and saw there was an opportunity to bring more diverse wines and beers into Maine for distribution. Since then the company has expanded/relocated three times and has now purchased a temperature controlled warehouse with a large drive in cooler in the Riverside Industrial Parkway. We offer weekly delivery service from the New Hampshire Border to Mount Desert Island which constitutes a majority of the population of the state of Maine. All of the team is enthusiastic about wine and beer as well as the food that best pairs with it.
