Rare Beer Club 4-Bottle Selections - August 2026
Mont Des Cats Biere Trappiste
Abbaye du Mont des Cats - Godewaersvelde, French Flanders, France
[Belgian-Style Pale Strong Ale – 7.6%]
Founded in 1826, the Abbaye du Mont des Cats is a Trappist monastery nestled in the hills of French Flanders near the Belgian border. The abbey established its first brewery in 1848, but brewing ceased in the early 1900s after the monastery faced financial challenges and a shortage of trained monk-brewers. Nearly a century later, the monks revived their brewing tradition by partnering with Belgium's famed Scourmont Abbey (Chimay Brewery), where the beer is brewed according to a recipe developed in collaboration with the Mont des Cats community. This partnership preserves the abbey's brewing heritage while supporting the monastery's charitable and monastic mission.
Mont des Cats Bière Trappiste is a Belgian-style Pale Strong Ale that beautifully reflects the rich brewing traditions of Trappist monasteries. Deep amber-copper in color with a creamy off-white head, it offers inviting aromas of toasted bread, caramel, dried apricot, figs, gentle spice, and earthy hops. The palate is smooth and complex, revealing layers of biscuit malt, honeyed sweetness, ripe orchard fruit, subtle peppery yeast, and restrained noble hop bitterness that leads to a dry, warming finish. At 7.6% ABV, it remains remarkably balanced and elegant. Pair this distinctive ale with washed-rind cheeses, roasted pork, duck, grilled sausages, mushroom dishes, or classic French onion soup for an exceptional dining experience.
Local Land to Local Hands
Jester King Brewery - Austin, Texas
[Texas Farmhouse Ale – 5%]
At the time of publication, the beer is still fermenting in Jester King's tanks, with additional tasting details and final artwork to come. Because farmhouse beer conditioning times can vary, August 26 is our firmest estimated ship date. As a result, orders containing Local Land to Local Hands will experience a slight shipping delay until the beer has completed conditioning and is ready for release. Once available, distribution will be extremely limited, with only a small allocation within Texas and no distribution outside the state, making this one of Jester King's most exclusive releases.
Founded in 2010 on a 165-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country outside Austin, Jester King Brewery has earned international acclaim for its farmhouse ales and commitment to brewing beers that reflect the character of their surroundings. Drawing inspiration from traditional Belgian and French farmhouse brewing, Jester King uses native Texas yeast, locally sourced ingredients, and a variety of fermentation techniques to create distinctive, terroir-driven beers. Alongside its renowned farmhouse and spontaneously fermented ales, the brewery also produces lagers, IPAs, stouts, and seasonal releases, all guided by a philosophy of sustainability, craftsmanship, and strong partnerships with local farmers and producers.
Local Land to Local Hands is Jester King's newest farmhouse ale and a celebration of locally grown Texas ingredients and community collaboration. Brewed with lime, green coriander, and prickly ash leaf sourced from Trosi Farms in Elgin, Texas, the beer showcases bright citrus aromas layered with fresh herbal notes and the expressive character of Jester King's signature farmhouse fermentation. The prickly ash contributes a delicate peppery spice that complements the beer's crisp, dry, and refreshing finish. Created in partnership with Pullman Market in San Antonio and the Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, the beer continues the "Local Land to Local Hands" philosophy of supporting regional agriculture and strengthening connections between local producers.