Birra Nursia - Authentic Monastic Beer

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Birra Nursia is brewed by the Benedictine monks of Norcia, the guardians of the legacy of St. Benedict in the city of his birth.

Norcia is known throughout the world for its outstanding culinary and gastronomic specialties. We have complemented this great culinary tradition by adding to the high quality regional foods a beverage that can accompany rich and savory meats, as well as fresh or aged cheeses.

YOUR IMPACT

All revenue the monastery produces is used to support the work of prayer and evangelical witness at the monastery in Norcia.

Naturally, this includes offering warm hospitality to pilgrims and the poor, who are assured of being welcomed at the monks’ door.

The destruction wrought to St. Benedict’s hometown following the 2016 earthquakes has made urgent the task of building and preserving a space in Norcia for those seeking God, monks and pilgrims alike.

Every purchase of Birra Nursia helps ensure that the monks will have a place to sing the centuries-old Latin chants, to build up their brewing industry, and to call home.

A series of powerful earthquakes, the likes of which the whole nation had not suffered for 30 years, destroyed the historic Basilica of St. Benedict and closed the doors to the monks’ first brewery.

As the monks work to build a new monastery that will be their permanent home on the mountainside outside the city walls, the monks continue to brew their beer using the facilities of a nearby brewery.

The funds earned from Birra Nursia sales go toward the construction of the new monastery, and after, a new earthquake-resistant brewery on the monks’ land.

OUR SELECTION

All our beers are available in 33 cl and 75 cl bottles.

The 75 cl bottles are available in packs of 6, those of 33 cl are available in packs of 12.

*Only .75L Bottles are available in the United States.

Birra Nursia Bionda is a golden, luminous beer with a creamy, compact and persistent head. Its fresh aroma is enhanced by hints of coriander and lemon zest. With time, it matures to become an ethereal floral perfume. The palate is enlivened by the hop and malt notes. The cheerful carbonation and the gentle, dry finish nicely round off the body of this beer.

Starters and first courses with cheese and vegetables; spinach and ricotta tart; artichoke tortellini atop taleggio fondue; oven-cooked white meats. Pizzas: Four seasons; white pizza with artichokes and cured ham; white pizza with cooked ham, asiago cheese and asparagus.

DESCRIPTION

FOOD PAIRINGS

Birra Nursia Tripel has a deep amber hue with copper nuances, and is topped with a creamy ivory head. The aroma presents soft orange and hop notes, with hints of pear, ripe banana, and fruit liqueur. On the palate, the beer is refreshing and thirst-quenching and is rounded off by pleasant whole wheat bread and malt flavors. A firm but balanced bitterness lingers discreetly in the mouth, inviting you to take another sip.

Pairs well with a range of aged sheep (Pecorino) and goat cheeses, prosciutto crudo and serrano ham; pasta dishes with rich, flavorful or spicy sauces; pan-seared sausages, wild boar stew; grilled and fried fish. Pizzas: Spicy Salami (Diavola), Four Cheeses (Quattro Formaggi), Mushroom & Sausage (Boscaiola).

DESCRIPTION

FOOD PAIRINGS

Birra Nursia Extra has a beguiling dark brown hue with luminous ruby reflections and a creamy, frothy head. Its aroma is characterized by notes of fresh yeast, dark berries and stone fruits, embellished with a touch of cocoa. It is a well-structured beer dominated by malty flavours with hints of caramel and liqueur, rounded off by a warm, dry and peppery finish.

Hard cheese selections; first courses with sauces such as bolognaise, sausage, speck and game; meat with red fruit jelly or dried fruit pies. Pizzas: white pizza with sausage, mushrooms and truffle cream; four seasons pizza with walnuts.

DESCRIPTION

FOOD PAIRINGS

We invite you to consider joining the Brewmonks’ Club to more closely connect with the life of the monastery and invest in the brewery’s future.

BLOG

The mountains frame the new roof
25 Sep 2023
The beauty of the Sibylline Mountains serves as a backdrop to the monastery's roof, which is still being worked on here on Monte. [...]
Reflecting on 25 years of our monastery
24 Sep 2023
On September 3, with local friends and a cheerful supply of Birra Nursia, the monastery began commemorating its first jubilee. Click here to continue reading. [...]
Finishing the facade
08 Aug 2023
The exterior stone facade has received its finishing touches. [...]

An upcoming jubilee in Monte
23 Jun 2023
Roof construction continues
27 May 2023
Easter news from Norcia
15 Apr 2023
Roofing nears completion
17 Mar 2023
Winter in Norcia
17 Feb 2023
A winter scene in Monte
07 Feb 2023

Inaugurated in 2012, Birra Nursia is the monks’ way to live out the maxim of St. Benedict that says true monks live by the work of their own hands.

From ancient times, monks have understood that a God-centered vision of life must be shared with society by means of earthly experiences. This is done first in the liturgy with the singing of Gregorian chant, the use of incense and the use of bells — things that involve all of man’s senses — but also by study and work aimed at bringing forth the fruits of the earth that nourish the human body. In every respect, the monks never cease to sanctify material things in order to make them paths that lead to God.

In complete harmony with this tradition, the monks of Norcia have sought to share with the world a product cultivated through this monastic logic, one that reminds us of the goodness of creation and the potential that it contains.

For the monks of Norcia, beer has always been a beverage reserved for special occasions, such as Sundays and Feast days. The project of the monastic brewery was conceived with the hope of sharing with others the joy arising from the labor of our own hands, so that in all things the Lord and Creator of all may be glorified.

LIMITED AVAILABILITY!

The earthquakes have brought about necessary changes to many aspects of life in Norcia, including the monks’ beer sales. The monks are committed to keeping the beer on the market, but supplies will be limited. Birra Nursia can be purchased directly from the monks on the monastery premises Monday-Saturday during the Porter Office’s open hours.

Birra Nursia Opening Hours: Monday through Saturday 10:00 to 12:00

MONK-TO-TABLE

In an age of increasing popularity among farm-to-table restaurants and products, where “food traceability” is a sign of quality and authenticity, buying directly from the monks is a reminder not only of where the beer comes from and how it’s made, but of who it goes to support.

Come Support Us and Buy Birra Nursia Directly from the Monks!

BIRRA NURSIA IS "UNMISSABLE"

In recognition of the quality of the beer and these principles, the monks' "Extra" brew won an award in the 2021 edition of Slow Food's "Beers of Italy," which called the beer "unmissable." Slow Food's own mission is "to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, counteract the rise of fast life and combat people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat." The monks were grateful for the award."