The Story
Trappist Beer, A Tale of Endurance & Humility
From Reformation to Revival, our Trappist beer has a story as distinct as itself. Brewed on-site at Mount St Bernard Trappist Brewery, Tynt Meadow is a product born of centuries of tradition made using modern, sustainable techniques. In the convergence of the old and the new, we combine complexity and simplicity. The lessons of yesterday guide our instincts today. Our history informs our philosophy, providing a framework for us to better understand our place in the world as well as ourselves.
Bottle fermented under the watchful eyes of Cistercian monks, our not-for-profit brewery produces Trappist beers that are great for any occasion while helping to support our community.
Any and all are welcome to enjoy the wonders of nature that abound at Mount St Bernard, as well as visiting our Abbey. More information is available here.
The Order
We are a Cistercian Order of monks, a self-sustaining contemplative community devoted to work, prayer and reflection. Our story is a rich, complex tale of endurance and revival.
In the 16th century, Henry VIII dissolved monasteries throughout his kingdom, confiscating land and subjecting ordinary monks to destitution. The Dissolution was ruthless and effective, and the Reformation divided the peoples under Henry’s rule into camps of worship. Division based upon belief was wrong then, and it is wrong now.
Three hundred years later, religious fervour had eased with monasteries and monastic orders no longer outlawed in England. In 1835, local land near Mount Saint Bernard was donated to provide a path back for local, monastic life. Within ten years, an abbey had been constructed, the first since the Reformation. Since this time our order of Cistercian, Trappist monks have farmed the land of Mount Saint Bernard leading a simple, observant life of reflection and work.
Our order has evolved along with society. Today, Mount Saint Bernard Abbey retains an active, diverse order of Brothers who live, work and worship there.
Mount St Bernard Abbey
Mount Saint Bernard. Our home in the heart of England.
Our monastery stands near Coalville, Leicestershire, nestled at the foot of Charnwood Forest. As one of the few monasteries revived in England after the Reformation, it serves as a simple yet practical testament to modern monastic life – a place for work, reflection, prayer, and peace.
Founded in 1835 on donated land, Mount St Bernard Abbey began humbly with a half-ruined cottage on a barren field. The first monks cultivated the land and surrounding areas. Later, the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury funded a permanent monastery beside this field. Augustus Welby Pugin, the renowned Gothic Revival architect, designed it pro bono. The new monastery opened in 1844, and in 1848, it gained Abbey status, overseen by England’s first mitred abbot since the Reformation.
Mount St Bernard experiences four distinct seasons. The landscape moves from winter’s hard frosts to the vibrant colours of spring, inspiring us and symbolising the continuous cycles of birth and renewal.
Tynt Meadow & Blond
English Trappist beers richly layered with flavour and history
From Farmers to Brewers
Cistercians have always been farmers, cultivating land to provide sustenance. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, hobby farming was facing a viability crisis. Technology, industrial scale farming and regulation complexity had made our sustenance farming increasingly impractical to support the community’s upkeep.
As we explored new ways to channel our efforts, we decided to revive the Abbey’s beer-making tradition. Written records show that Mount Saint Bernard produced “table beer” after 1835. Moreover, visitor logs reveal a clear preference for the monks’ craftsmanship, highlighting their skill and dedication.
Trappists are renowned for their distinct ales, with over a dozen monasteries currently producing ale throughout Europe. More information on Trappist Ale is available here.
Mount St Bernard Abbey now houses our Trappist Brewery, established across 2017 and 2018. Although we lost the original recipe over time, Tynt Meadow revives the ale once brewed here.
We are the only English producers of Trappist Ale. Each sip offers rich, velvety pools of darkness, layered over time to create a unique flavour. Made from sustainably sourced local ingredients and water drawn directly from our artesian well, this Trappist beer is not only distinctly English but also proudly Trappist. It is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, embodying our commitment to quality and tradition.
Our Philosophy
Our community treats work as a form of prayer. Therefore, we live a life of simple observance, hard work, and reflection to deepen our understanding.
Indeed, this simplicity frees us from material pressures, giving us a unique freedom in work choices. Although we are a close-knit community, we also recognise our role within a wider, extended community. Together, we strive for outcomes that benefit everyone. We feel blessed to dedicate our labour towards creating the greatest good for as many as possible.
The final product, Tynt Meadow & Tynt Meadow Blond, are crafted with joy and reflect our commitment to peace and reflection.
Our journey, from farming to brewing, has always focused on sustainability. We use water sourced on-site and prioritise local ingredients whenever possible. Moreover, see ourselves as custodians of the land, traditions, and values entrusted to us.
We commit to treading lightly on the earth, viewing our produce as a shared bounty. Sourced from nature’s gifts, we aim to preserve these resources for future generations to enjoy.