Episode 52: Trappist Monastery Breweries with Authors Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl

On this week's episode, we get to talk to Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl, the authors of the new book Trappist Beer Travels. They traveled thousands of miles to all eleven Trappist monasteries for a behind-the-scenes look at the history and brewing practices of the Trappist monks throughout the centuries. Plus, we help our Food Fight listener figure out how to come to a compromise when it comes to phones during date night.

Copyright Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl, published with permission Schiffer publishing, Ltd.

Disclosure: Some of the links within these show notes are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, we will earn a commission, which helps support our show. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, our wonderful listener!

Let's taco 'bout it!

• This week, both Sharon and Winter barbecued (#ownyourparty) LOVED it! Sharon made ribs on her Big Green Egg, and Winter got to partake a Chinese charsiu brisket that Lee made on the Big Green Egg too. Both ah-mazing! Look out for our True Aussie Beef and Lamb and Big Green Egg recipes this week!
• We're excited to chat with Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl, the writers behind the female beer blog, Bitch Beer, and the newly released book Trappist Beer Travels. 

Copyright Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl, published with permission Schiffer publishing, Ltd.

• Beer has been a part of civilization, especially at monasteries. Water wasn't potable, so they turned it into beer, which was safe and clean, but also provided needed calories for any visitors coming through.
• St Benedict's tenets included prayer and solitude, but also work. 
• Trappist are a Benedictine off-shoot, but are more in line with stricter rules of St. Benedictine. 
• There is 3 criteria to get the Trappist craft designation: 1) Must be brewed within the walls of the monasteries, 2) either brewed or quality controlled by the monks, and 3) the profits will go to the up-keep of the abbeys and daughter houses, and other charities. 

Copyright Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl, published with permission Schiffer publishing, Ltd.

• Beer 101 at the Trappist monasteries: Triple (sweet, lighter in color), Double (maltier, mid-range alcohol), and Quad (darker beer). They are beers for "contemplation".
• There is also something called a Patersbier, are lower alcohol beers and are usually the things the monks drink for themselves. 
• Spencer Brewery is the only US Trappist monastery that brews beer.
• The technology to produce the beer nowadays is quite advanced (including stainless steel and solar panels), despite how old the  There is a glass recycling program too.

Copyright Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl, published with permission Schiffer publishing, Ltd.

• The 4 main ingredients of beer are water, hops, malt, and yeast. Water is generally from spring water, which can add a certain minerality. Yeast usually has developed their own house yeast strain. Malt can affect the flavor depending on the amount of roast to it. And different Hops can add a different flavor to it.
• Ean de Clerck sent Father Theodore to brew school to help the Chimay monastery build back up after the war. Father Theodore developed a strain of yeast that is still used to this day.
• During their travels, they worked with the International Trappist Association to get the interviews. If you want to travel on your own, get the book and they will help you do your own mini-tour of the monasteries and abbeys. You can also go on Open Door Days at some of these abbeys, such as this one at Orval.

Copyright Caroline Wallace, Sarah Wood, and Jessica Deahl, published with permission Schiffer publishing, Ltd.

• Please check out where Caroline, Jessica, and Sarah will be on their book tour.
• Also, we're giving away a signed copy of the Trappist Beer Travels. Check out the Rafflecopter entry form below! Click here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
• We help our Food Fight listener figure out how to come to a compromise when it comes to phones during date night.

Run Time: 56 minutes

Sponsors: Our podcast is sponsored by our awesome and food-loving sponsors.

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