Brother Thelonious - North Coast Brewing Co.

bbluemzbeer

California

2.75/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

This is just an ok. It dies not have quite the flavor I was expecting. It is not real bad, just nothing to write special. For the high price I was expecting more, Everything was just average. l will not buy again

Appearance: Mahogany color with some red
Smell- Bready with fruit.

Taste- . Very strong bready malt, with some dark fruit. It is not much balance to it,

Mouthful- mouth was bread taste sticks. It is rather unpleasant.

Overall; It doe not match up with Chimmey . It is just an average beer foir high price.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 05:00:00 | More by bbluemzbeer

tjsdomer2

Illinois

4.51/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Ruby-brown-maroon..almost purple in a way. Full-bodied. Very unique.

Smell: Plums, raisins, and licorice. Fairly sweet, but some pine as well.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Incredible flavor. Tons of licorice...not a flavor I particularly love, which makes this even more incredible. Thick body, but goes down smoothly with great yeasty carbonation.

Overall Drinkability: I loved this beer. Really surprised it isn't rated higher.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 03:45:20 | More by tjsdomer2

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

A-Theo pours dark brown but semi-clear. Solid head. Head is also darker. Not too much lacing.

S-Dark Belgian style through and through. Dark fruits and loads of deep, sugary sweetness.

T-More of the same with a pretty rough finishing flavor. Not sure exactly what it is but it just rustles the palate on the finish. Its got the dried, dark fruits and Belgian-y yeast. Just left me slightly wincing after each sip.

M-Perhaps the booze could be hidden a bit better. This was also a bit thin, which I find lets the booze leak out more onto the tongue. Well carbonated, though.

O/D-I could do without having this one again. Far from my favorite style and I also don't find it to be very well put-together.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2013 00:10:55 | More by VelvetExtract

hardy008

Minnesota

3.03/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours hazy brown, with a less than one finger light tan head, with decent retention and spotty lacing. The aroma is not very strong, but has apples, dark fruit, and Belgian yeast. I only wish the aroma was stronger.

The first thing I noticed tasting this beer is alcohol. The alcohol on this beer is not disguised at all. I can also taste apples, dark fruit, phenols, brown sugar, and candy sugar. I would rate the taste higher, if the alcohol was disguised, and the Belgian characteristics stood out more.

Medium bodied, and overly carbonated. There is a very sweet sticky aftertaste, and as I alreasdy mentioned, the alcohol is not hidden at all. Overall, disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 02:29:39 | More by hardy008

Jacurdy60

Alabama

3.73/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

A-Pours an impermeable brownish-red color with a beige colored 1 finger head and fair retention. Foam coats entire side of the glass as I sip but leaves almost no latticework.

S-Figs, rich and dark fruits. A bit boozy with a touch of zesty spice and dark malty sweetness. Cinnamon.

T & MF-Follows the nose. Figs, dates and a dark malty sweetness precede a peppery spiced/cinnamon finish that stays in check with the malty backbone. Booziness is hidden fairly well. Pretty rich and chewy on the palate, but it finishes a bit crisp and carbonated, unfortunately.

O-A pretty good BSDA, nothing exceptional. At first taste, I thought it was out of this world, but when I realized it was classified as a BSDA, I thought it was too tamed to be considered an exceptional BSDA. Smells great, but the tastes are subtle and the finish is too crisp and carbonated. But not a bad brew, I'd definitely buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 19:31:32 | More by Jacurdy60

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.64/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Deep mahogany color with a back drop of brownish light there was an impressive amount of carbonation. Off white head was creamy and thick and coalesced to a single unit.

Light plum and date aromas with a metallic tinge. Hints of molasses and wine finish the scent, albeit a very light one.

Strong plum and prune finish with a harsh alcohol taste. Maybe raisin in there but it's ruined by the brashness of the metallic alcohol. The feel aligns with the taste as dry metallic alcohol warms the chest.

I was really excited by this Strong Ale by one of my favorite breweries but it just didn't measure up to the excitement.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 23:02:47 | More by KYGunner

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.91/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Into a snifter:

A: dark red/closer to brown body (maybe black) with some slight reddish highlights at the edges, one finger white foamy head quickly dies, super light trickling lacing

S: sharp sweet cherries, malty/sugary of sorts, no alcohol is noticed

T: mainly sweet through the cherries and malts

M: medium, seems actually sessionable (surprising for the ABV is noticed), carbonation is felt slightly sharp

O: an Americanized version of a Belgian Strong Dark, I like but wonder how old it is due to the lack of alcohol strength, yet I would have this again

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 21:55:15 | More by kangarooAdam59

Groomsy

Kentucky

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12 oz. bottle poured into an Orval chalice.

Murky crimson/brown body with a light tan head that dissipates quickly and leaves a little lacing down the glass.

Very nice aroma on this one. I pick up different kinds of dark fruits (I'm really reminded of plums and cherries), toffee, caramel, and some brown sugar with a big whiff of some alcohol. A less yeast-forward nose on this than I expected, but still very nice.

The taste starts with a big spicy note (coriander/cloves?) that transitions into a sugary, fruity sweetness on the middle of the tongue - I'm reminded again of cherries and plums. There is a steady toffee/caramel flavor underneath all of this, and the beer finishes with a bready, sweet finish and drying alcohol. Quite good.

For a Belgian-style ale, this has a remarkably heavy body. It still has the effervescent carbonation expected from this style, and finishes with an alcoholic dryness.

A very solid American interpretation of the Abbey style, with some of the yeast characteristics toned way down. Quite good and drinkable, though the alcohol heat tends to grow as the beer warms.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 15:25:38 | More by Groomsy

AAG

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a cold bottle into a pint glass after warming for a few minutes...

Appearance - Dark mahogany; opaque; lighter color at the bottom of the glass, darker at the top; poured a nice, thick 2-3 finger head but that head faded almost instantly, still ringing nicely on the rim of the glass itself.

Smell - Butterscotch; toffee; grains; fruity/slightly zesty; syrup

Taste - Butterscotch; syrup; heavy alcohol content (over 9%) masked well

Mouthfeel - Viscous; thick; yet smooth; easy on the palate...

Overall - Not the best Belgian Strong Dark Ale but still one that I am happy to drink on occasion. Reminds me of a dopplebach for some reason (though I am still generally a neophyte in this area). Easily accessible in area beer stores so I'm sure I'll have it again...

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 23:20:41 | More by AAG

MVotter

New York

4.11/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - The Brother Thelonius pours into a chalice the color of caramel. It has an ample 1-inch tan head.

S - Butterscotch, malts, brown sugar

T - Caramel roasted malts, licorice, toffee

M - Lots of effervescence, medium-heavy.

O - It's not Ommegang's Abbey Ale, but it's pretty substantial. Delicious. Not too heavy or rich. 9.4% abv is masked extremely well. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 04:04:49 | More by MVotter

SHODriver

California

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: pours into a snifter to a deep mahogany(not trying to steal from the notes but it fits the beer perfectly) with a finger and a half of light tan head that fades slowly
S: very fruity on the nose with a bit of figs and plums. some candi sugar comes through as well. very sweet with a small hint of spice
T: peppery yeast up front followed by some fruitiness, plums and candi sugar a bit of dark bready dough and a hint of alcohol soaked cherry. swallow brings a bit more alcohol soaked cherry, dark fruits, and a bit more spice from the yeast
M: full bodied and slightly vigorous carbonation yet not over the top. a little dry on the finish
O: not the best but certainly not the worst. a very solid beer with good flavors and easy to drink. alcohol is hidden well.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 04:19:43 | More by SHODriver

ksimons

New York

3.93/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A-mahogany with a fingers worth of very light tan head that sticks around for a while and leaves a bit of lace on the glass

S-rich malt, light dark fruit, and brown sugar. Not as much dark fruit smell as most BSDA's have

T-taste is not bad. More rich malt and more prominent dark fruit than the smell suggested, caramel and brown sugar, and a light roasted finish

M-medium body, medium carbonation, sweet sugary finish

Overall I wasn't sure what to expect with this one but was pleasantly surprised. For an American version of a BSDA it is pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 22:18:46 | More by ksimons

Danno48

West Virginia

3.89/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a mild black but is a stunning caramel with a caramel head that dissipates very quickly.
Smells like a Belgian should with your prunes and wine. But it also has kind of a lager smell. When I say that I mean that it has that watery basement smell. Not really pleasant.
No shortcoming in taste. Up front you get your figs and grapes and a very mild alcohol burn. And then there is the aftertaste. I think NorthCoast must have a secret ingredient that they add in their beers that give it a superb coffee/earthy/dirt taste right at the end that I love.
There is very slight carbonation and a medium thickness in the mouth.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 05:32:48 | More by Danno48

Steamer

Missouri

3.28/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

A nice reddish, amber pour. Darker than most other Belgian style ales. Cream colored head dissipates quickly. Sweet toffee, fruity overtones. Prickly bitterness up front, coriander, this fades quickly leaving sugary, plum after taste. Medium carbonation and medium body in general. A pretty good Belgian style ale overall, just not quite on par with the others I have had. Worth a taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 02:27:48 | More by Steamer

wvsabbath

West Virginia

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Servign Type - Bottle

Appearance - Dark brown/tan, 1/4 inch creamy head with tons of lacing.

Smell - Grapes, cherry, rasin, belgium yeasts, honey, some malts and a little alcohol heat.

Taste - First sip is very sweet cherry, cola, syrupy. Plenty of yeast sweetness. Some roasty malts mixed in for some added flavor. A little alcohol at the begining, then more at the finish. A nice banana flavor comes in near the finish. A little funky sour flavor mixed in with the alcohol warmth finishes this one off.

MOuthfeel - Thick, sweet, lots of fruits and yeasts coat the tounge. Palate gets more of the same, with a little hop, and alcohol. The aftertaste is sweet sugary, and a little sour.

Overall - Solid beer, a nice american twist on a belgain strong ale. Lots of sweetness, and alcohol is really masked. Not as complex and balanced as most, but still a fine drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 00:26:26 | More by wvsabbath

AmitC

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.

Golden brown while pouring. About two finger thick excellent head of tan color mainly due to vigorous pouring. Stays really well and for a long time. Persistent. Color inside the glass is almost ruby copper. A lot of red hues. Very clear. A lot of bubbles seen rising up. Decent Belgian laces on the side.

Aroma is only somewhat reminiscent of Belgian yeast and dry fruits. A fruity and malty smell. Some warmth. May be some minor hops. Strength is moderate. A good amount of esters and slight alcohol tinge.

Flavor is a lot more wheat beer or doppelbock like. Strong malts. Fruity. A good amount of alcohol warmth. Finish is semi dry.

Mouth feel is medium to slightly tilting towards full bodied. Slightly high on carbonation and fizzy effervescence. Tingling sensation. Warm and strong.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 23:58:05 | More by AmitC

dertyd

California

3.2/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle to a wine glass

A:dark brown with red hues a nice off white head that turns into a nice laceing that sticks around for a wile

S:a big wiff a soy sauce,vinager whaet and dry dark fruits

T:soy sauce right off the back and vinager with some dark fruits a little sweetness nice taste can't taste the alch... to much

M:mouthfill leaves a nice wet fealing not dry at all good after taste verry nice

Overall: a verry nice beer not like the real belgium version but its not bad just a real big soy soy sauce taste verry salty but it blends with the malts verry nicely I will drink this one again

Live life drink beer!!!:-)

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 06:25:42 | More by dertyd

SerialHiker

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a deep copper/amber/mahogany color…some very light khaki colored head formed and settled to a thin layer…with a couple swirls, it livens up nicely leaving touches of foam along the glass…a nice looking brew…(4/5)

Smell: Very aromatic, I could smell the sweetness as soon as I started pouring…when I stick my nose in there, (no surprise) I’m getting tons of dark cherry/strawberry candy sweetness, raisin, fig, bready malts, caramelized sugar/brown sugar, a touch of earthiness, mild citrus hops and a dash of alcohol heat…there’s also some noticeable yeast funk…it’s a bit mouth watering I have to say…(4.5/5)

Taste: Yum, very much a traditional abbey ale…there’s flavors of dark fruit (figs and raisin) sweetness, dark cherry candy, clove, banana, earthiness, caramel…it’s very malt driven…there’s definitely a touch of yeast funky/mustiness…this is approaching a brandy flavor…(4/5)

Mouthfeel: Medium body with medium carbonation…this thing fluffs up nicely bringing sweet/dark fruit sweetness and caramel sugar flavor all over the palate…wet, mildly chewy, smooth and sweet…with a tinge of alcohol, this is very much a sipper ale…(4.25/5)

Overall: This is one of my favorite brews...I don’t normally fall in love with Belgian style beers, but this one is an exception…the sweet, caramel malts combined with spice and yeast bring a very drinkable brew that should be sipped on and appreciated…with it’s higher ABV (and fantastic taste) it’s not a beer to be filling up the beer pong cups with, this should be enjoyed in a circle of friends or by a fire with a loved one…if I had four of these, I could drink four of them, but as it is, I will enjoy just this one…I will definitely be getting this again for future pleasure…yum! (4/5)

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 05:09:03 | More by SerialHiker

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.24/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Have had this beer many times, the first time being back in 2005 or 2006, when it was first released. Back then it came only in 750 ml., and it was rare to see it on tap. Flash forward 6 or 7 years, and my how times have changed. The beer is regularly available on tap even on the East Coast, and frankly, I've been less than impressed by what I've had on tap out there. Nevertheless, when I saw a 12 ounce bottle version here in Sonoma, I figured it was time to visit an old friend.

The beer pours a fairly dark brown color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is pretty impressive as well, as I pick up brown sugar, milk chocolate, vanilla and light rootbeer. In all honesty, this beer smells better than I recall or what I was expecting. The flavor profile replicates the nose in this fairly sweet beer, and frankly I'm surprised (and impressed) by the amount of flavor and underlying spice I'm getting in this beer. Mouthfeel is medium bodied to full, and the finish is long, sweet and spice infused. The alcohol is well integrated into the flavor profile, and frankly, this beer is pretty terrific. Sure, it's hard to imagine drinking a lot of this, but I'm still pretty impressed with the domestic version of this beer, in style I generally don't care for.

Easily one of the best domestic versions of this style that I can recall having. This is light years better than the original version I can recall having back in 2005 or 2006 (and oh so much better than the crappy draft versions I've seen here on the East Coast). Very, very impressive....

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 04:44:53 | More by johnmichaelsen

XxNitExX

Nebraska

3.3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Poured from 12oz bottle in to Chimay Goblet

A- Deep mahogany color with brilliant red highlights. Small little wisp of head that dissipates quickly. Looks like a Cabernet from a distance because of the small head.

S- Bready malts, small hint of fruit. Light alcohol tinge but very strong burnt bread smell.

T- Tastes like it smells. Very strong bready malt, with some dark fruit. Also has a nice sweetness that helps with the kind of overkill smell.

M- Lingers on the tongue for all the wrong reasons. Kind of like how astringent coffee sticks to your mouth this burnt bread taste sticks. Rather unpleasant.

Overall, not a horrible beer, but when compared to others in the style (Chimay Blue) it just doesn't match up.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 06:05:27 | More by XxNitExX

beernazismustdie

2.21/5  rDev -41.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2

It looks picture perfect when you pour it: thick, rich, and smooth with a small head. However, it's all downhill from there. It's like taking a beautiful girl home only to find out she's a bizarre headcase.

"Complexity" is a common word used to describe the taste of this beer. "Complexity" is evidently nice beer-snob word that's synonymous with "vomit inducing." This stuff is nearly the strength of barley wine and does not hide the alcohol well, as others have noted. Frankly, it tastes like a porter with cough syrup and molasses mixed in.

This was by far the most disappointing beer I've tried, and I've spent the last several years developing a taste for "finer beers." I would rather drink your typical mid-grade macro brew yellow water than this crap again.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 02:12:53 | More by beernazismustdie

MI_gal616

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A dark orange/amber color with a good 1" head
The smell is sooo good. Yeasty, with a bit of wheat. Smells sweet.
Flavor is full of sugary malts. It's creamy in the mouth with hings of banana, clove spice, and biscuits. Yup, like the flaky Pillsbury doughboy. There is a light bitterness, especially on the finish, which I like because it keeps the beer from being too sweet.

Overall, it's a delightfully rich Belgian amber, very smooth, and almost syrupy.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 03:34:57 | More by MI_gal616

MrGroovy

2.43/5  rDev -35.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5

I signed up with Beeradvocate to review this beer. I agree with one reviewer who said it has a delicious, rich, complex initial flavor.... quite appealing... That reviewer mentioned the flavor of figs.... Yes, a fruity, complex and delicious FIRST flavor was evident and appealing....

But in the bottles I had it went downhill FAST after a nice beginning. Some kind of sweet and awful taste rises up as it stays in your mouth and as you swallow -- I wouldn't call it an "after" taste because it starts BEFORE you actually swallow the beer!!!

This is sad because the first flavors in the beer are great but it quickly takes on a strangely rich fruity awfulness.

Maybe it had gone bad and skunky in its own way? I bought it chilled at an upscale market... so I assume it wasn't THAT old....

Having read another reviewer who noted the same problem, I wonder if the brewery knows about it? Someone should tell them -- Great beer at first, strange and awful secondary flavor / aftertaste....

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 17:53:39 | More by MrGroovy

Dmart1223

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I really, really liked this beer, for about 90% of the journey. It doesn't measure up to its Belgian counterparts, but it still has a little richness, a little complexity and a lot to think about.

The beer pours a hazy mahogany with a fine head that quickly fades... I'm guessing from the high ABV. Still, there's persistent bubble action that keeps the beer alive.

The smell was pungent...damn. Like raisin bread, dried fruit and rain. Bit of an odd combo, but who doesn't like any of those smells?

The taste threw me. First you get a thick, almost oily coating of sweet, dry fruit, like figs, mixed with fresh tobacco. That's a good thing, as weird as it might sound. A warm starts mid-gulp and flows down to the gullet, warming the soul.

Where I was put off was the aftertaste. First you get a hint of bitter and alcohol, which is great, but it starts to grow into a metallic, skunkiness that lingers. I wasn't a fan.

For me, drinking this beer was like eating a choice cut, New York Deli sandwich between two slices of Wonder Bread. The meat's clearly there, but the bread just isn't strong enough to keep up. I'm a big fan of this beer, but I really wish it was consistently terrific.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 06:00:51 | More by Dmart1223

barnzy78

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, pours brown with a bubbly, tan head that fades to a foam leaving no lacing on the glass. Aromas are dark malt or candi sugar, hot alcohol, spicy Belgian yeast,
bread crust. Tastes are dark candi sugar, banana, spice, cinnamon, bready, molasses, tea leaf. Mouth-feel is creamy and smooth with ample carbonation. Overall, it's good, but the cinnamony spiciness is too forward. It's almost like a winter warmer Belgian dark ale with all that spiciness.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 01:01:29 | More by barnzy78