In the wake of not-so-great news, here is some wonderful news.
Birra Nursia comes to these USA! Dear readers, I can testify that this is excellent beer. And it is made by monks who are worthy of your support.
Here’s the press information about the beer.
NORCIA, ITALY — Beginning January 22 at 7am EST and following closely on the heels of the chart topping release of their Benedicta CD of Gregorian chant, the Monastery of San Benedetto is elated to announce the launch of the revised, revamped 2.0 version of birranursia.com.
At long last and undoubtedly in answer to many American prayers, the revitalized website allows the online purchase and doorstep delivery of Birra Nursia, the monk-brewed craft beer that is made at the birthplace of the great founder of western monasticism.
A limited quantity of the beer will be available each month.
From January 21, pre-orders of Birra Nursia will be open to customers in the United States for March delivery. Friends of the Monastery of San Benedetto and lovers of specialty beer will now be able to enjoy the monks’ signature product in their own home.
Orders can be made through our American Online Store. Interested friends are invited to order today by visiting our website.
The beer is available in .75 liter bottles (wine bottle size) sold separately, in 6-packs and in cases (of 12). Pricing details are available at the American Online Store. [It’s not cheap, but it is really good.]
Because the monks spend most of their day in prayer and working around the monastery, Birra Nursia will only be able to fulfill a limited number of orders per month on a first come, first serve basis. Those who place an order that cannot be fulfilled immediately will have priority for the following month’s shipping.
Friends who make a 1-year subscription are enrolled in the Brewmonks’ Club, which is the premier way to enjoy Birra Nursia at home. By signing up, you pledge to buy a six-pack or case (of 12 bottles) every month. This means that throughout the year you will be able to enjoy Birra Nursia and be a part of the developing Birra Nursia story. Members become connoisseurs of the beer and are the brewery’s ambassadors in the United States. And, needless to say, membership has its rewards. Members:
– Are the first to have their orders fulfilled each month
– Receive a personalized membership certificate
– Receive a case of Birra Nursia specialty craft goblets upon enrollment
– Receive free bottle openers
– Receive a biannual newsletter with special monastic brewing insightsThe Monks of Norcia are very proud to expand the reach of Birra Nursia. Since the brewery was founded in 2012, visitors and friends from the United States have asked the monks to find a way to sell their beer in the American market. This tremendous opportunity allows the monks to further that which has been their aim from the beginning: to share the life, spirit and joy of monastic life in Norcia with the world.
Nota Bene: Ground shipping is carried out by FedEx and calculated at a base price, plus a small supplement for the number of bottles. This means that it is highly cost effective to buy multiple bottles. Please consider purchasing a case to dramatically save on shipping costs.
QUESTIONS ?
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YES!!!
FINALLY! I know exactly what I am getting my husband for his birthday. Now, who is buying Father Z’s membership into the brew club?
Amy MEV: who is buying Father Z’s membership into the brew club?
Bless you.
This is indeed good news.
There is a great article in Crisis magazine from June 17, 2015: “Norcia Monks Rebuild the Foundations of Christian Culture.” The article remarks that “Cardinal Pell described their brewery as a genuine expression of the New Evangelization.”
“Not cheap” is a bit vague. It is over-the-top expensive. Perhaps they should just be candid and take the PBS approach: “for a donation of $35 we will send you a 750ml bottle of our premium beer, and for a donation of $120 we will send you a six 750ml bottles of our premium beer”.
It is quite a luxury, but of course it is for a good cause. And I am sure it is an excellent beer.
It costs $34.79 to buy one 25-ounce bottle (equivalent to two 12-ounce beers) and have it shipped by the cheapest method. It costs $119.64 to buy six 25-ounce bottles (equivalent to a 12 pack of normal size beer bottles) and have it shipped via the cheapest method. Consider buying a 6-pack of your favorite splurge beverage locally and sending the monks a donation of $25 instead or buying a case of your favorite splurge beverage locally and sending the monks a donation of $90 instead (they will probably get more financial benefit that way).
[I post about this great development. And you …. Frankly, I think this is a GREAT thing.]
Beer is usually cheaper than wine… but in this case, you are getting wine bottle sized beer for a (somewhat pricey) wine bottle price.
Also, this may be one of those beers that continues to age in the bottle.
I am sorry if it seems like I was trashing the monk’s beer. Not my intent. I intended to order some, but was gob-smacked when I discovered the price, and I was hoping to help others avoid the same disappointment. Mea culpa.
£7.50 a pint. Nearly London prices!
For those who are worried about the price like me, I think the solution is clear.
Go to your parish and start a social/spiritual group of men (or women) willing to meet monthly to share a case and split the cost of membership (that certificate can have Father’s or the parish’s name). Grilling and cigars optional. Get 4-6 guys to split the six pack and that’s only like $15-20 a month, which is not unlike the price of going out to eat at a restaurant.
From there, I think it would be interesting conversation to see how it is that these young, largely American monks can be so happy living a life immersed in the old liturgy, that maybe the old liturgy is not dead or as intimidating and scary as some think it to be, and maybe even that it could be celebrated at this parish.
I belong to an online craft beer club and if this were on offer I’d probably splurge on a bottle. But these are beers that I need to share with another beer lover, of which I know none since the local members of said online club are unknown to me and the local liquor store manager won’t divulge their names.
In November I splurged on the 2015 Craft Beer Advent Calendar of which I’ve only consumed 4 offerings. Some of those are 10-11% alcohol which rather limits when I can have them. I’d say that this year too many of the breweries opted to put their “chocolate stout” in the calendar. My next taste test will be of Victoria B.C. Lighthouse Brewing Co.’s Black Sam Licorice Stout @ 7.2% alcohol.
It was exciting to see these holy men in a segment of a network TV show the other night (news or?). Not only the beer was discussed, but their CD and of course their holy way of life. May it inspire many who saw it