Mount Saint Bernard Abbey Tynt Meadow 11.2OZ

Mount Saint Bernard Abbey Tynt Meadow 11.2OZ is England's only Trappist ale, a 7.4% ABV bottle-conditioned strong dark ale in an 11.2 oz (330ml) format. Scored 96/100 by Beer Connoisseur and rated 91 on BeerAdvocate, Tynt Meadow stands apart as a distinctly English interpretation of a monastic brewing tradition dominated for centuries by Belgian and Dutch abbeys.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.4%  |  Origin: Leicestershire, England  |  Style: English Strong Dark Ale (Trappist)  |  Brewery: Mount St Bernard Abbey

Production & Heritage

Mount St Bernard Abbey, a Cistercian monastery in Leicestershire's Charnwood Forest, began brewing Tynt Meadow in 2018, making it only the twelfth certified Trappist brewery in the world and the first—and still only—in England. The monks made a deliberate decision to craft something that respected the Trappist brewing heritage while being distinctly English in character: the ale is brewed exclusively with English barley and hops, using an English strain of yeast rather than traditional Belgian cultures. Tynt Meadow undergoes two fermentations—the first in tank, the second in the bottle—yielding a living ale with natural carbonation and complexity that continues to develop over time.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich malt sweetness rises first, followed by dried dark fruit—plum and raisin—layered with brown sugar and a subtle sherry-like warmth. A gentle spice note and hints of dark chocolate round out the nose.

Taste: The entry delivers a wave of dark chocolate and caramel-toffee malt sweetness that quickly deepens into dried fig, candied plum, and liquorice at mid-palate. A measured peppery bite emerges toward the peak, balancing the fruit richness and preventing any cloying sweetness. The mouthfeel is full-bodied for its strength, with fine natural carbonation from the bottle conditioning.

Finish: Warm and notably dry, with lingering dark chocolate bitterness and a whisper of dark fruit. The dryness keeps the ale remarkably drinkable despite its robust character.

How to Drink Tynt Meadow

Serve at cellar temperature—around 50–55°F (10–13°C)—in a chalice or tulip glass to concentrate the complex aromatics; pouring gently to leave the bottle sediment behind yields a cleaner presentation, though some drinkers enjoy a cloudier final pour. Tynt Meadow is best appreciated on its own as a contemplative sipper, but it also pairs exceptionally with food: try it alongside a rich beef stew where its dark malt mirrors the braised meat's depth, with a sharp aged cheddar that plays off the ale's dried-fruit sweetness, or as a dessert companion to a dark chocolate torte where the shared cocoa character creates a seamless pairing.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who values rare Trappist ales
• Pairing with a winter cheese board featuring aged English cheddars and Stilton
• Collecting alongside other certified Trappist brewery offerings
• A contemplative evening pour for fans of Belgian dubbels seeking an English perspective

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tynt Meadow taste like? Tynt Meadow delivers rich dark chocolate, dried fig, and plum fruit flavors balanced by a peppery spice and a warm, dry finish. The overall impression is of a full-bodied, malt-forward strong dark ale with notable complexity from its bottle conditioning.

How does Tynt Meadow compare to Westmalle Dubbel? Both are certified Trappist ales in a similar strength range, but Tynt Meadow uses entirely English ingredients—barley, hops, and yeast—giving it a drier, more restrained fruit character compared to Westmalle Dubbel's classic Belgian yeast-driven esters and softer sweetness. Tynt Meadow also tends toward darker chocolate and liquorice notes where Westmalle leans more toward banana and caramel.

Is Tynt Meadow good for sipping neat? Tynt Meadow is designed as a contemplative sipper best enjoyed at cellar temperature in a proper glass, where its layered aromatics and bottle-conditioned complexity can fully express themselves.

Where is Tynt Meadow made? Tynt Meadow is brewed by Cistercian monks at Mount St Bernard Abbey in Coalville, Leicestershire, within the Charnwood Forest region of England. It is the only certified Trappist brewery operating in the United Kingdom.

What foods pair well with Tynt Meadow? Braised or slow-cooked beef dishes echo the ale's deep malt richness; aged English cheddar or Stilton creates a sweet-savory contrast with the dried fruit notes; dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa character; roasted root vegetables complement the caramel-toffee malt backbone; and cured meats like bresaola benefit from the ale's dry, peppery finish.

What sizes does Tynt Meadow come in? Tynt Meadow is primarily available in the standard 11.2 oz (330ml) bottle format, consistent with traditional Trappist bottle sizes.

Is Tynt Meadow worth the price? Tynt Meadow positions as a premium specialty ale within the certified Trappist category, and its status as the only English Trappist beer—combined with strong critical scores including a 96/100 from Beer Connoisseur—supports its place as a distinctive, well-regarded offering that delivers genuine complexity and rarity for the category.

Why Tynt Meadow?

Only twelve breweries in the world hold the Authentic Trappist Product designation, and Tynt Meadow is the sole English entry—a distinction no other brewery on the island can claim. Rather than imitating Belgian tradition, the monks at Mount St Bernard Abbey built their recipe around entirely English raw materials, resulting in a drier, more chocolatey, and more peppery profile that sets it apart from continental Trappist dubbels. A 96/100 score from Beer Connoisseur and a 91 on BeerAdvocate confirm that the execution matches the ambition. For anyone serious about Trappist brewing or English ale at its most singular, Tynt Meadow represents a genuinely unique point on the map.