How Monks Influenced Modern Craft Beer  

While modern craft beer didn’t find its stride until the 1980s, its roots can be traced back to European monks in the 5th century. Monks were some of the earliest and most influential brewers, developing techniques and styles that influenced the modern craft beer industry. Here’s how the monasteries, particularly those in Belgium and Germany, played a crucial role in creating some of the modern world’s most beloved beers and continue to shape the industry today.

Brewing as a Sacred Tradition

Monastic brewing dates back to the Middle Ages when European monks brewed beer as a way to sustain their communities and provide hospitality to travelers. Unlike the large commercial breweries of today, monasteries brewed beer in small batches, paying careful attention to quality, purity, and tradition.

Beer was not only a safer alternative to often-contaminated water but also provided essential nutrients for monks who fasted. Over time, monastic breweries refined their methods, laying the foundation for many of the brewing techniques we still use today.

How Monks Influenced Modern Craft Beer

The Belgian Monks and Trappist Brewing

One of the most significant ways monks influenced modern brewing is the development of Trappist ales. The Trappists are a strict order of Cistercian monks, and their breweries are known for producing some of the world’s most renowned beers, including:

– Dubbel: A rich, malty beer with caramel and dried fruit notes.

– Tripel: A strong golden ale with a dry, spicy finish.

– Quadrupel: A high-alcohol, complex beer with deep toffee and dark fruit notes.

Only a handful of certified Trappist breweries remain today, such as Chimay, Orval, and Westvleteren, but many modern craft breweries draw inspiration from the Trappist styles to Belgian-inspired ales that showcase the same balance of malt, yeast character, and high fermentation temperatures.

German Monks and the Reinheitsgebot

In Germany, monks influenced modern craft beer through the development of brewing laws and quality standards that would define German beer for centuries. The most famous of these is the Reinheitsgebot or Beer Purity, Law established in 1516. This law restricted beer ingredients to just water, barley, and hops (yeast was later included once its role in fermentation was understood).

This commitment to pure, high-quality ingredients is echoed in many modern craft breweries, which often emphasize natural brewing processes and traditional ingredients. German beer styles like Hefeweizen, Doppelbock, and Märzen all have monastic origins and remain popular today.

The Continuing Monastic Influence on Modern Craft Beer

The influence monks had on modern craft beer extends far beyond specific beer styles. Many of the principles are still practiced by today’s brewers, including:

– Commitment to Quality: Like today’s craft brewers, monks brewed beer with care and patience, ensuring every batch met their high standards.

– Innovation and Experimentation: Many monastic breweries experimented with different grains, fermentation techniques, and barrel-aging, all practices that are still central to modern brewing.

– Farm-to-Table Mentality: Monasteries often grew their own ingredients, a concept revived by craft brewers committed to sustainability.

– Small-Batch Production: While large-scale commercial brewing dominates much of the beer industry, craft breweries mirror the monastic tradition of brewing on a smaller, artisanal scale.

Raise a Glass to the Monks at The Growler Guys

Without the monks, the modern craft beer industry might not exist as we know it. Their dedication to brewing, commitment to quality ingredients, and innovative techniques laid the groundwork for the vibrant beer culture we enjoy today.

So the next time you stop into your local Growler Guys for a Belgian ale or German bock, take a moment to appreciate the centuries of brewing knowledge passed down from monastic breweries to modern craft brewers. Our extensive rotating tap list means you’ll always have a new beer to try as brewers continue to be inspired from around the world. Come in for a pint, flight, or growler fill today, and cheers to the monks – the original craft brewers!