Now I've Tasted Britain's First Trappist Beer!

I've written about this new addition to the wealth of beers available in Britain very recently (labelled as an "English Trappist Ale" though I know of no other trappist beer brewed anywhere else in Britain - see blog), and now I've tasted it. As you can see from the photograph I poured out a bottle at home. Brewed by Cistercian monks at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire (website), Tynt Meadow is a mighty 7.4% trappist ale...

A deep dark ruby red/mahogany colour and big gorgeous fruity aroma and flavour means that this isn't my typical tipple, but I swiftly went back to buy more, to 'lay down' and to share with friends, it's that good. Not the citrus fruits I normally enjoy, but rich darker fruits, with a touch of chocolate and malt in the taste, plenty of body and smooth to drink, though a wee bit sweet, my notes say "good stuff!" Interestingly, Tynt Meadow is bottled conditioned, consequently it has a long shelf life, so store in a cool place, drink quite chilled, and be careful when pouring the ale out, unless you enjoy the addition of yeast particles from the lees, cheers!

I'll have a few of those, many thanks!

Where did I purchase my Tynt Meadow? Luckily for me, just around the corner is the Eel & Bear, 28 Waldegrave Street, Hastings TN34 1SJ (facebook), who brought some in, but it's available online, if you lack a similar craft beer seller in your area; Google lists a few suppliers.

England's First Trappist Beer!

Yes, very true, Cistercian monks in Leicestershire are now brewing to help pay for their simple lifestyle, and have developed, following help and advice from other Trappist breweries and local brewers, a complex ale. Named after the plot of land the monastery was built on, as is traditional with Trappist breweries, Tynt Meadow (7.4%) is brewed using English barley and hops, an English strain of yeast, and with a secondary fermentation in the bottle. Tynt Meadow is described by beer writer Roger Protz as "seriously nice."

Tynt Meadow is "mahogany-coloured, with a subtle, warm red hue, and a lasting beige head. Its aroma carries hints of dark chocolate, liquorice, and rich fruit flavours. The beer is full-bodied, gently balancing the taste of dark chocolate, pepper, and fig. It leaves a warm and dry finish on the palate." See website.  I need to taste this!

Mount Saint Bernard Abbey

Mount Saint Bernard Abbey was founded in 1835, but this permanent building, originally designed by Augustus Welby Pugin, was opened in 1844 though, because of the cost, without a completely finished church until after 1935, with a new architect, Albert Herbert of Leicester.

Tynt Meadow will be on sale from the 9th of July 2018, cheers!