The oldest known beer-producing abbey in the world, the Montecassino Abbey in the Italian region of Lazio, has been famous for its beer since the 15th century. But, after the monastery complex was completely destroyed in World War II, production ceased.
Located on a hill approximately 130 km south of Rome, the structure was the site of the Battle of Montecassino, a series of assaults by the Allies against the Winter Line aimed at breaking into Rome in 1944. The complex was subsequently rebuilt to look exactly the same.
Last December, barley was sowed in the land surrounding the abbey for the first time in 30 years. The barley was reaped on July 11, the day dedicated to Saint Benedict of Nursia, the founder of the Benedictine order, who established the first monastery right in Montecassino in 529 AD.
The first harvest will be refined in a small, artisanal establishment near the abbey and in a Peroni establishment following the traditional Benedictine recipe, which calls for non-pasteurization and re-fermentation in the bottle. Peroni is one of Italy’s most famous beer brands, although the company is now owned by the Japanese multinational group Asahi Breweries.
The first cases of what will be labeled as ‘Montecassino. La birra d’abbazia’ (Montecassino abbey beer) are expected to be ready in October.
The beer, which will have a 6.5% alcohol content, follows into the category of ‘abbey beers’, but cannot be considered ‘artisanal.’
The designation ‘abbey beer’ was originally used for any monastic or monastic-style beer. It is now considered a subspecies of Trappist beer, produced by only eleven monasteries in the world – one is in Italy. An abbey beer may be produced by a non-Trappist monastery, for example Cistercian or Benedictine; or produced by a commercial brewery under an arrangement with an existing monastery.
Production of beer at Montecassino is part of a larger project aimed at revitalizing an area that has been neglected for decades. In addition to the brewery and barley fields, a dairy, tasting room, sheepfold, and stable are planned.
For more information about the Abbey of Montecassino, visit the website. http://www.abbaziamontecassino.org/abbey/index.php/en/
