Brotherly Brew

“From man’s work and God’s goodness, beer came into the world.”

Saint Arnold, Patron Saint of Beer

Photo from Monastery of Christ in the Desert

There’s a new beer a-brewin’ in Abiquiu, New Mexico (population 13), but this isn’t the tale of an ordinary ale. This beer is made with “care and prayer” by Benedictine monks at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. Although it’s not unusual to find monks making beer in Europe—the world’s oldest continually operating brewery was founded in 1040 by Benedictine monks—it is uncommon in this country. There are only a handful of brotherly breweries. The monks make the beer to sell and fund their monastery, and they have been known to imbibe on occasion, too. But, as with all things Benedictine, they drink their home brew only after meditation and in moderation.

Read more:

■  Bob Batz Jr., U.S. monastery brews return after a century, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 16, 2012.

■  Monastery of Christ in the Desert website