And now for something completely different: St. Benedict’s Brew Works beer and brewing retreat at the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana.

Not only is this one of Indiana's most unique breweries. Surely it ranks high on the national list.

Located at 860 E. 10th St. in the Benedictine Sisters’ former art studio, St. Benedict’s Brew Works is believed to be the only U.S. craft brewery on the grounds of a women’s religious community.

St. Benedict's Brew Works (Facebook)

St. Benedict's Brew Works (web site)

But there's even more.

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Beer-brewing retreat Nov. 11-13

Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand will offer a retreat, “Brewing with the Spirit: A Monastic Craft Beer Experience,” from November 11-13 at St. Benedict’s Brew Works, a craft brewery on the grounds of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana.

Brewery owners Vince Luecke and Andy Hedinger will share the history of beer and spiritual reflections on Gospel parables about grain, earth, yeast, and water. Participants will sample beers, learn beer terminology, and make craft beer.

The retreat begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, November 11, and ends at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 13. The first evening will be a social and a discussion of beer styles for the second day, which will be the actual brewing of the beer. The first night is optional.

The cost of the retreat is $320, including meals, abundant beer sampling, and two nights’ lodging at Kordes Retreat Center. The cost for one night is $270. Commuter cost is $200. The size of the retreat is limited to 12 people. Two other retreats are scheduled, from February 24-26, and March 3-5.

Register by calling 812-367-1411, ext. 2915, by visiting www.thedome.org/programs, or by sending an email to kordes@thedome.org. For more information on the retreat, contact Vince Luecke at 812-719-2301 or email brewing@stbenedictsbrewworks.com.

Luecke has a master’s degree in Catholic Thought and Life from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. He is the editor of two newspapers. Hedinger holds a law degree from Indiana University Mauer School of Law. He practices law full time and also owns and operates Monkey Hollow Winery and Distillery near St. Meinrad.

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There's a "Brewing Experience & Education Retreat" coming to Hanover College.

This sounds interesting. The text of the e-mail I received is reprinted here, and to sign up, go this way.

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Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.) will host Brewing Experience & Education Retreat (BEER), August 6-7. This two-day event is designered for beginning homebrewers and features instruction provided by Craig Philip and Tim Cunningham, experienced beer producers and Hanover chemistry professors.

The two-day, overnight experience costs $275 per brewer. The price includes on-campus accommodations, direct instruction during the brewing process, take-home equipment, meals and a tasting event featuring local breweries. Participants will be able to produce, and take home, their creation of a Dry Irish Stout, India Pale Ale or American Brown Ale.

Brewing Experience & Education Retreat (BEER) is available only to those ages 21 and older.

If desired, campus housing is available Friday, August 5, for just $25.

For more information or to register online, visit www.hanover.edu/beer.

Contact Craig Philipp at philipp@hanover.edu or Tim Cunningham at cunningham@hanover.edu.

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