Monks have been brewing beer for centuries, and a monastery in central Massachusetts is the not just the newest to take on this centuries old practice, but the only monastery outside of Europe that brews certified Trappist Ale. The clergy at St. Joseph’s Abbey is growing old, the average age is 70, and with health care costs rising they needed to find additional sources of revenue. Traditional revenue streams like making fruit preserves were labor intensive, and weren’t as lucrative as brewing beer. The monks calculate that their knew venture should make enough money to support the monastery and health costs. Cheers!