Spencer Monks' Reserve Quadrupel Ale 11.2 oz

Item #4480
Shipping Wt. 1.50 lbs.
Availability: In Stock

Robust, Full-bodied Trappist Quad

Brewed by: Spencer Brewery
Country: United States
Style: Quadrupel

ABV: 10.2%
Ratebeer.com rating: 97
BeerAdvocate.com rating: 89

Best by date: 02/17/25

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Spencer Monks' Reserve Ale (ABV 10.2%) is a fragrant, robust and full bodied Quadrupel, mahogany in color and crowned with a dense, tan, frothy head. Its malt-forward profile yields to a warm finish.

The recipe development phase stretched over three years and 13 experimental brews. The Spencer monks sought an alternative to the use of spices for flavor enhancement by pushing the boundaries of traditional Trappist Quad malt profiles, even incorporating some local barley grown in nearby Barre, MA which was craft malted in Hadley, MA.

The outcome is a unique product with a distinct flavor profile well situated within the Trappist family of Quadrupel ales. 11.2 oz. bottle.


Click to learn more about Trappist Ales


Spencer Brewery at St. Joseph's Abbey: Spencer, Massachusetts

Spencer Brewery is a project born of tradition and necessity. For over 60 years, the monks at St. Joseph's Abbey have cooked and packed jams and jellies at their monastery under the Trappist Preserves label. This business has supported them, while providing wholesome monastic work and charitable assistance to persons in need. However, looking to the future, they saw a need for an additional enterprise that will support their community and charities in the years to come.



Just a few years ago, one of the brothers expressed interest in brewing and even did some training at a local craft brewery. Over time, his passion for brewing affected some other monks, who recognized that brewing was a very traditional monastic enterprise. Thus, when the time came to re-chart the economic path for the monastery's future, the idea of a brewery gained traction.

With the blessing of the abbot, they embarked upon a two-year data-gathering mission. They visited each Trappist brewery to learn everything they could from their European brothers. Beginning at the Abbey of Westmalle, they slowly made their way around Belgium, staying at the monasteries and making friends, receiving good advice and drinking some of the world's best beer. The final stop of their first trip was the Abbey of Sint Sixtus, brewer of the acclaimed Westvleteren ales. By the end of their second trip and more detailed discussions, they were confident that they had put together a realistic plan for a new brewery. Following monastic tradition, the monks voted and confirmed the project by an overwhelming majority to build America's first Trappist brewery.

Observing Trappist tradition, they named their brewery, and the beer, Spencer after their beloved town of Spencer, Massachusetts.
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Reviews

16 reviews

Great Tasting Ale!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jan 7, 2023  |  By Betty M
Enjoyed this ale so much that I ordered a gift set that includes goblet! Looking forward to trying other flavors! Highly recommend!
Betty M


Spencer Quad
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Oct 22, 2022  |  By Bobby D.
I absoloutly loved this beer. It goes without saying that this beats any American bladder wash. I've only had Chimay Blue other then this as far as true Trappist quads go, and I can honestly say I much prefer this. To bad I didn't discover them untill after they shut the brewery down.
Bobby D.


excellent
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Sep 28, 2022  |  By Ian O.
Recently purchased Spencer quadruple and triple for a gift for my brain law. The beers arrived intact and he really enjoyed them. Thanks for your excellent service.
Ian O.


Outstanding beverage!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Sep 11, 2022  |  By Larry D.
It pours a deep reddish brown, almost black color with a medium sized persistent tan head. I small figs, dates, Belgian candy sugar, wet leaves and a hint of leather. This is a rich, robust, complex and incredibly well brewed beer. I taste dried fruit, candy, wine & ,leather. It has a wonderful velvety smooth mouthfeel. This is my favorite by Spencer so far. This was truly a privilege to drink.
Larry D.


Knocked me on my a--
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Sep 10, 2022  |  By Kim s.
This beer is great but I did not know it was 10% plus. Knocked me on my a-- after three. Loved it thou.. just don't drive
Kim s.


Good stuff!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jun 25, 2022  |  By Stephan Y.
First time I've had this beer and it was a pleasant surprise. I love darker heavier beers and this one really tastes wonderful.
Stephan Y.


Supreme taste a surprise
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Apr 23, 2022  |  By Bill E
My wife never goes to liquor stores but this time she was with me. We saw a "pick six" and she said do it just for fun. I told her to pick some and she chose this one because she liked the presentation (bottle shape and packaging). What a surprise to find the best tasting ale I've ever had.
Bill E


Not my Style...
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Nov 21, 2021  |  By RODNEY P.
I have always said this style of beer was not for me. I was dared by a friend to buy four of these and before the the end of the first beer I would wish I had ordered 8. My friend and I have drank a lot of beers over the years and compared notes on what we liked and didn't like in a beer, so I trusted him and ordered not 4, but 8. All I can say is that this is simply a stellar beer and yes I am glad I ordered 8. now I need to try some other Spencer beers!
RODNEY P.


One of the best from any country
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Oct 31, 2021  |  By Jeffrey
Easily the best beer I have tried all year.
Jeffrey


Great taste!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jul 13, 2021  |  By LeRoy
I really enjoyed this Ale. Normally I don't care for dark ales, but this one really changed my mind ( and taste) for them.
LeRoy


Top shelf Trappist ale
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Nov 13, 2020  |  By Michael G.
Easily one of the very best Trappist ales to be found anywhere. The fact that it's brewed at a Trappist monastery in Massachusetts is a bonus.
Michael G.


To be enjoyed
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Oct 13, 2020  |  By sarah e.
I'm no expert. But I have been around the restaurant/bar industry for many years. This is a wonderful full bodied beer. I was not disappointed.
sarah e.


Wonderful ale
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 12, 2020  |  By DOMINICK M.
After first tasting a selection of Spencer beers just last summer at a fair, I was hooked. This monks reserve quad ale is my favorite! It's so good words don't do it justice. Simply wonderful.
DOMINICK M.


Gift Hero!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Mar 1, 2019  |  By Danielle
My husband loves trying new beers and I wanted to find something special for his 50th birthday. This was it! Years (like a million years ago) when I was in college I visited St. Joseph's Abbey. I heard they had started making beer and had been on a mission to find it. My husband was thrilled with the "instructions manual" that came with the beer. Well packaged, great bottle. Big hit!
Danielle


SPENCER Trappist Quad
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Mar 12, 2018  |  By Paul C.
Rate these qualities (5 is the highest): Aroma 5, Appearance 5, Taste 5, Palate 5. I'm not a wine or beer snob bent towards detailed ratings. All I know is this SPENCER Quad has great body, mouthfeel, and taste. A big, delicious beer! As good as a Chimay Grand Reserve, or any other Quad from Belgium. Made right here in the USA!
Paul C.


Captain
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Dec 17, 2017  |  By Capt Richard
Capt Richard