Black Monk Brewery is one of Pennsylvania’s newest breweries, having opened in March 2018. The name is an evolution, reaching back to a Belgian-style tripel co-owner and brewer Tom Morris used to brew named Noire Monk. As that name eludes to, Black Monk Brewery is all about Belgian-style beers. We talked to Tom about his love for Belgian beers and the Erie craft beer scene.
Before Tom dove into brewing as a career, he was self-employed and owned a dental lab. He says, “I would travel to different cities, and they had these great Belgian beers there that I couldn’t find back home.” His mission to recreate those beers became a reality when his wife gifted him a homebrew kit. Tom went on to brew a plethora of Belgian-style beers and even won a few competitions and awards for his homebrews. After homebrewing for more than 20 years, he decided to make it his career.
Tom and his business partner, Brian Friley, opened Black Monk Brewery in Erie in March. Tom says, “We have a 7-barrel system with 15 to 16 beers on tap at any given time. In 20 years of homebrewing, I’ve brewed countless styles, and I’ve always enjoyed Belgian-style beers because they’re so diverse and have complex flavors.” Black Monk Brewery’s tap list currently includes several Belgians, plus an Irish stout and several American IPAs.
Black Monk Brewery looks to keep things interesting along with its core lineup. “We just started using our half-barrel pilot brew system to brew one-off beers and test batches,” Tom adds. It will be interesting (and delicious!) to see what these seasoned brewers with vast interests come up with on this smaller system.
In addition to beers, the dog-friendly brewery hosts food trucks on weekends so that — weather permitting — guests can relax in the newly completed bier garden. Black Monk is home to a mug club for 100 loyal fans, and plans to add 100 more in 2019.
Good news for northwest Pennsylvania beer fans and visitors: The Lake Erie Ale Trail continues to grow! “There are about 14 breweries now in Erie and at least 4 or 5 more on the way,” Tom explains. “Erie is a unique craft beer destination with so many spots situated next to a beautiful great lake with wonderful beaches with sunsets.” Millcreek Brewing Co., Lavery Brewing Company, Erie Ale Works, Voodoo Brewery and more are all within a short drive of Black Monk, making for an awesome craft beer destination.
As for Tom’s personal love for Belgian beers, he says, “Try Westvletern 12, Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier and La Chouffe. Covers it all.” Westvletern 12 is regarded as one of the best Trappist beers in the world with dark fruit overtones. Paulaner Hefe-Weissbier is a defining German Hefeweizen with notes of banana and clove. La Chouffe is a Belgian-style golden ale with a floral and fruity flavor accented by a slightly hoppy taste. These beers are all well known for their respective brewery’s devotion to quality and consistency, which says a lot about Erie’s newly planted Belgian-style brewery. Tom adds, “We like to say, ‘Belgians and beyond …’”
The Brewers of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit trade association that brings together leaders of Pennsylvania-based breweries in order to promote and protect the brewing industry in the state. Established in 2011, the Brewers of Pennsylvania serves the consuming public of Pennsylvania by encouraging brand diversity in the market. We believe in the nobility of brewing and hold dear the great traditions and history of Pennsylvania brewing.
Photos: Tom Morris
