Published: 7th May 2024
The UK’s only Trappist brewery has released a second beer which is now on sale in a bottle designed and manufactured by Beatson Clark.
Mount Saint Bernard Trappist Brewery in Coalville, Leicestershire has brewed a tasty blond beer to join its internationally renowned Tynt Meadow dark ale – both of which are sold in the 330ml amber beer bottle from Beatson Clark’s standard range.
Trappist beers are traditionally sold in bottles because they undergo secondary fermentation in the bottle, a process that is ideal in glass.
It means the beer matures in flavour for the first three years, and because of the inert nature of glass it can have a much longer shelf life than that if the bottle isn’t opened, something that isn’t possible in other packaging materials such as cans.
“Because of this process, if the bottles are kept in the right conditions – out of UV light, at a consistent room temperature – and the crown and bottle is kept sealed so that no oxygen can get in, the beer will last indefinitely,” explained Peter Grady, Brewery Manager at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey.
“The flavour profile of a Tynt Meadow changes drastically over the course of the first three years and, in our opinion, less so after that. This is why we put three years on the bottle, but it will last much longer than that as it’s packaged in glass.”
Because the bottle is made from amber glass it offers extra protection from the harmful effects of UV light.
“The bottle design is exactly the same – it has already become quite iconic and recognisable,” said Peter. “The only differences in the packaging are minor adjustments to the label and the gold-coloured crowns on top.”
Mount Saint Bernard Trappist Brewery now regularly brews over 1,000 hectolitres of its famous ale every year, which is distributed throughout British and international markets. It is the only Trappist brewery in the UK and one of just nine worldwide.
“It’s rare for a Trappist brewery to launch a new addition to its core range,” Peter explained. “Our very premise is predicated upon the solemn production of the ales synonymous with our order, with Trappist beers having earned their reputation from their centuries-long tradition of Cistercian ale-making, using closely guarded recipes in a time-honoured process.
“Tynt Meadow Blond has been created to pay homage to this tradition, representing both a classical interpretation, yet uniquely Trappist take on this ever-popular mid-strength ale.”
While Tynt Meadow, with its amber hue and distinctive depth of flavour, is a classic strong, dark ale, its blond cousin is closely related in composition if not in style.
“Tynt Meadow Blond uses the exact same ingredients as our famous Tynt Meadow, but it brings a zesty, sharper twist on the original classic,” said Peter. “It carefully balances vanilla, mandarin and lemon with gentle hints of orange and sherbet.
“After the solemn observance of Lent, Easter was the perfect time for us to introduce Tynt Meadow Blond, as we know it will pair perfectly with the lighter, brighter days of spring and summer.”