Brewery gets the go-ahead to operate at monastery

A brewery has received the OK to operate on the grounds of a monastery in southern Indiana.

The Ferdinand zoning board Thursday approved a special exception to allow Saint Benedict's Brew Works to operate at the Monastery Immaculate Conception.

The plan also has been approved by the Sisters of St. Benedict.

Vince Luecke, editor of The Perry County News and The Spencer County Journal-Democrat, and Andy Hedinger, an attorney, plan to open the brewery in an unused art studio on the grounds. They expect to be serving up a variety of beers by late winter or early spring.

Luecke and Hedinger, who will brew the beer on site, are still experimenting with an offering of three to six beers, ranging from light to dark varieties. Luecke said they are considering a creamy ale, Hefeweizen, Belgian wit and Belgian double, as well as some stouts.

Luecke said the the sisters have been very receptive to the idea. The art space, previously used as a boarding school, was underused. They still are working out the lease with some revenue sharing that would benefit the monastery.

The sisters hope the brewery will bring more traffic to the campus and help them promote their ministries, Luecke said.

The old art studio will be transformed into a space for sampling beer, and light food, perhaps sandwiches and bratwursts, will be offered.

The sisters are moving their gift shop to an adjacent building where they sell hand-made crafts and cookies. Luecke said the sisters are even working on a pretzel recipe.

Saint Benedict's Brew Works is timing the opening with the 175th anniversary of the community, which is rich in German heritage and religious tradition.

Follow Amy Haneline on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can reach her at amy.haneline@indystar.com or (317) 444-6281. Please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive.