How To Brew Trappist Single: Sacred Suds & Age-Old Traditions
Trappist Single is the name for the lightest beer the Trappist monks brew.
Before diving into the beer itself, let’s take a step back and understand those that brewed these beers.
La Trappe Abbey
The Trappist order of monks received their name from La Trappe Abbey in France, which was founded by the Cistercian order in 1663.
By 1892, the Trappist monks serrated from the Cistercian order.
Self-Reliant Monk
Trappist beers have been made famous by the Trappist monks. Trappist monks lived in monasteries and were fairly self-reliant.
With the vast land around them, these monks were able to grow their own food and even make their own drink, including their own wine and beer.
What’s a Beer Worth?
During the Middle Ages, water was not the safest to drink. Wine and beer were actually safer to drink as they did not harbor diseases that could be dangerous or even deadly.
Monastery brew houses produced beer throughout Europe for the monk’s consumption and sold it for the church.
Table Beers
Most Trappist beers are quite strong, the stronger beers were usually brewed to send out and make a profit. The beers that the monks drank were considered their table beers.
These beers were considered the singel or single, a relatively light beer. These Trappist singles did not interfere with their prayer and work in the monasteries.
Trappist Single
Most of the Trappist single beers are golden to light amber in color. They are top fermenting at warm temperatures with traditional Belgian yeast.
The fruity and spicy qualities are still prevalent with this style. They usually have 5% alcohol by volume or lighter. These beers also tend to be hoppy versus their light gravities. With a dry finish, these beers are very refreshing.
Style Profile for Trappist Single
Appearance
Trappist singles are pale yellow to medium gold in color. Good clarity with a moderate-sized, persistent white head with lacing.
Aroma
There is medium-low to medium-high Trappist yeast character, with fruity, spicy character. There is a medium-low to medium hop character that comes across as spicy or floral. Low to medium-low grainy sweetness.
There may be light honey or sugar quality along with fruity notes, with citrus, pome fruit, or stone fruit taking center stage. Yeast phenols give off some light spicy notes.
Flavor
The flavors that are prominent in Trappist single include fruity, hoppy, bitter. The malt may have a grainy sweetness with honeyed biscuit or cracker. Moderate spicy or flroal hop flavor.
Esters may be present including citrus, pome fruit, or stone fruit. Bitterness rises with a dry finish. Aftertaste is light maly, moderate hops, and yeast character.
Mouthfeel
Mouthfeel is medium-light to medium. Medium-high to high carbonation. Beer should not have noticeable alcohol warmth.
Food Pairings
When it comes to pairing a Trappist single with food, there are many dishes that work well. Pad Thai pair well. Spicy cuisine such as Mexican, Indian, or Asian foods pair well due to the high level of carbonation across the palate.
Cheese that pairs well includes: Aged Chevre, Colby,Gorgonzola,Triple Creme, Asiago, Gontina, and Parmesan.
Tips for Brewing your own Trappist Single
Grain
The grist for a Trappist single is fairly simple. Floor-malted Pilsner is used for the base malt. Even though it is more expensive, the flavor is well worth the extra money.
A half pound of Biscuit malt and a half pound of cane sugar is added to dry out the beer.
Hops
Since the hop profile for this style is pretty important, choose your hops wisely. Usually German noble hop varieties are used for a Trappist single. Using hops such as Hallertau, Styrian Goldings is fairly safe.
Usually the hop schedule will look like Hallertau at 60 min. (19 IBUs’ worth), an ounce of Hallertau at 15 minutes, and finally a five minute addition of Styrian Goldings.
Yeast
Like most Belgian beers, yeast is important. There is a wide selection of yeast to choose from for this style.
The Trappist High Gravity yeasts from White Labs or Wyeast will work well.
Trappist Single By the Numbers
- Color Range: 3 – 5 SRM
- Original Gravity: 1.044 – 1.054 OG
- Final Gravity: 1.004 – 1.010 FG
- IBU Range: 25 – 45
- ABV Range: 4.8 – 6.0%
Trappist Single Recipe
Grain
- 85% 8 lbs Pilsner; Floor Malted Bohemian
- 5% 8 oz Carahell
- 10% 1 lb Candi Sugar, Clear (Boil)
Hops
- 1 oz Hallertauer Hersbrucker – Boil – 60 min
- 1 oz Hallertauer Hersbrucker – Boil – 15 min
- 1 oz Stryian Goldings – Boil – 5 min
Yeast
- 1.0 pkg Trappist Ale White Labs WLP500
Directions:
- Mash at 152°F (66°C) for 60 mins
- Boil for 60 mins
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Trappist Single?
A Trappist Single represents the lightest beer variant brewed by Trappist monks, traditionally within select monasteries.
Characteristically golden to light amber in hue, these beers are top-fermented at warm temperatures employing traditional Belgian yeast, culminating in a unique fruity and spicy palate, with an alcohol content around 5% or lighter.
The Trappist Single, also known as a “table beer” or “singel,” showcases a balanced hoppy and malty profile, embodying a refreshing, dry finish ideal for daily consumption without interfering with the monks’ rigorous monastic duties.
What Kind of Beer is Chimay?
Chimay signifies a renowned brand within the realm of Trappist beers, emanating from Belgium. This prestigious brand offers a spectrum of beer varieties encompassing ales and a triple fermentation beer, each embodying a distinct flavor profile and aromatic essence.
Chimay, akin to other Trappist beers, adheres to the stringent brewing traditions upheld by Trappist monks, ensuring an authentic, high-quality Belgian Trappist beer experience.
Why Do Monks Brew Beer?
Monks embarked on the beer brewing journey during the Middle Ages, a time when water was often perilous to consume due to contamination.
Beer, enriched with alcohol, emerged as a safer alternative. The brewing tradition has endured, flourishing within select monasteries.
It serves a dual purpose: fostering self-sufficiency and generating revenue for the monastic community. Trappist monks, with a rich legacy of brewing, contribute significantly to this ancient tradition, creating beers like Trappist ales that are cherished globally.
What Defines a Trappist Ale?
A Trappist ale stands as a revered category of beer, its production strictly confined to Trappist monasteries under the meticulous oversight of Trappist monks. This appellation is not merely a title, but a testament to a beer’s heritage, quality, and the monastic brewing tradition.
The production of Trappist ales abides by the ethos of monastic life, ensuring the brewery’s secondary role to monastic pursuits and upholding ethical business practices that bolster the monastery’s stability.
How Can One Brew a Trappist Single at Home?
Embarking on the brewing of a Trappist Single at home entails a deep dive into the unique recipe and brewing techniques emblematic of this beer style. Core ingredients include floor-malted Pilsner as the base malt, hops like Hallertau and Styrian Goldings, and a specialized Trappist Ale yeast.
The process unfolds through stages of mashing at specified temperatures, boiling, and fermenting, adhering to a precise timeline to encapsulate the essence of a Trappist Single.
This endeavor not only satiates one’s brewing curiosity but pays homage to the rich brewing traditions upheld by Trappist monks.
Former President of my homebrew club, Plainfield Ale and Lager Enthusiasts (PALE) in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL. I brew on my BIAB system with my incredibly patient and understanding wife, adorable 9 year old daughter, and 12 year old brew dog.
