Engelszell Benno

Engelszell Trappistenbier Benno. Ale brewed with honey. 6.9% ABV.

Here we are with the other Austrian trappist ale, the brother to Gregorius.
Appearance: dark, murky, reddish-brown, slim, off-white, lace-leaving froth atop.

Aroma: Sweetness itself, with the extra Belgian edge. Bananas flambe' and chocolate fondue. Cookies and cream, with strawberries on top. Sweet malt mixed up with spiced fruit. Somethin' else.

Taste: Smooth entry on the palate. Smooth, fruity, sweet and malty. Low hops, low bitterness, great balance. Not too sweet, not too strong, not too anything, but plenty tasty. Doesn't fit into any category that I can think of....honey Belgian strong-ish dark, maybe?

Hey, I found more information: "Named after Abbot Benno Stumpf who arrived at St.Engelszell after being expelled from Abbey Mariastern during World War II. Under his leadership Stift Engelszell renovated its buildings and church which was built in the mid 18th century in a Rococo Style."

Well, that didn't tell me anything. I'm left with little more than my taste impressions. So, what is it? It's good beer and you can drink it.

Engelszell Gregorius Trappist Ale

Well, what to you know, there's an new Trappist brewery, from an Abbey that's been around since the 13th century, and this one isn't Belgian, it's Austrian (making it a "kloisterbrau"). But that doesn't mean that they're making Germanic-style brews, no, they're doing it Belgian-style. And here's the one they call Gregorius.


Stift Engelszell Gregorius Trappistenbier. Product of Austria. 9.7% ALC./VOL. Ale brewed with honey.

Appearance: rich caramel brown, with ruby fringes, under a lush tan head, stays strong, drifts down slowly.

Aroma: sweet and malty, toffee and caramel, plums and raisins, figs, and a bit of cherry in there, too. Complex and wonderful. The label didn't give a style, but based on nose and appearance, it's somewhere between a dubbel and a quadruple.

Taste: Starts slightly bitter, tasty hops doff their caps to us, then a funky twist emerges. Mostly malty, with a surprisingly hoppiness. Trappist yeast continues to contribute to the intriguing character. It's a very complex creature, and tremendously enjoyable.