Brother Thelonious - North Coast Brewing Co.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

amber with soapy big head, lace. Watery, sweet and orange peel, which makes it easy to drink, herbal tea spicey which turns it off for me. A tad toasted malt. Thanks Derek.Big alcohol, not noticeable, but inefficient to the taste. Serviceable beer, not quite up to its style. So passable.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2007 05:01:26 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.15/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

"If your middle name is Sphere, you're much more likely to become a jazz pianist than...say... an accountant or a dentist."

--BuckeyeNation

Darkest honey with a generous infusion of cranberry and orange. I love the color of the beer, and I don't mind the golden ecru color of the cap, but the texture of the foam leaves quite a lot to be desired. It's harsh and unsticky, nothing like the majestic, creamy, rocky caps on Belgian beer. As far as lace, two words come to mind: diddly squat. The score will be a combination of the good and the bad.

The brewery calls Brother Thelonious a Belgian 'Dark Strong Ale', which should correspond to a BSDA on this site. No matter, I've always had trouble telling Belgian dubbels and BSDAs apart. The nose is a wonderful melange of semi-dark fruit (figs and dates), along with dark caramel, spicy clove and an appealing phenolic character that doesn't go overboard. Looks like this one might have the chops to hang with some of the big boys.

This is good stuff that only lacks the dizzingly complexity of the world's best versions. The flavor profile follows the nose, more or less: pureed dates, a hint of raisin paste, a dram of Islay Scotch, sweetened tobacco, a twist of orange peel and a sprinkling of ground clove. The beer is broad rather than deep, but I'm not about to hold that against it because I'm enjoying it so much.

I like the amount of dark candi sugar that has been used because Bro Thel is sweet without being cloyingly sweet. The minor amount of mouthcoating is just right in one sense, but a little more clinginess might result in more flavor linger and a deeper appreciation of what this big brew has to offer. The alcohol has been masked to perfection.

The thing that keeps this offering from the big leagues is the mouthfeel. The body is fine and dandy. The feel of the carbonation is not. Like the head, the mouthfeel is too harsh. A large part of what makes Belgian beer so good is a perfect amount of creamy expansiveness. North Coast would do well to send someone across the pond to learn from the masters before they create their next batch of Belgian-style ale.

I like what Brother Thelonious has to offer. At the risk of beating a dead horse, it does most everything right... except carbonation. Otherwise, it's a jazzy little number that is making my taste buds dance with joy. I consider the $7.59 money well spent and will gladly buy a few more bottles the next time I have the opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2007 22:01:42 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge tan colored head reached skyward to a eight that easily surpassed the top of the glass. Good thing this pour was into a 24oz glass. Nice, opaque brown color was evident from the start with a rich looking hazelnut tone to it. The head finally calmed down after about twenty minutes but still dropped tons of foam and lace along the glass.

The aroma was very nice, a little bit ruddy at first. Hints of chcoalte and caramel, rich belgian spice and a wonderful bit of dark fruit all dancing around wonderfully inside of it. But it was once I took a sip that everything really came together for me. A wave of cascading brown sugar and tart apples just rolled across the tongue. Enormously rich and vigorous, this was just a wonderful thing to behold. Nice touches of chocolate and rich toffee like notes were all balanced well in advance of a lovely dark fruit tone that led the charge once the yeast kicked in. Nice notes of prunes and rasins, hints of plums and dark cherries were all very much evident in the profile. The carbonation was spot on, as the rich, velvet like bubbles converged on the tongue and added to the prickly pepper like spices that lasted long into the finish. Smooth as silk with almost all the alcohol very well hidden, this was certainly a gem.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2011 04:22:45 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Rustico in Alexandria, VA.

Pours a deep brown with a little bit of a head, which sticks for some nice lacing. Smell is mostly dark fruit--cherries and dates--with some caramel and malt sweetness. Taste is mostly dark fruit, residual sweetness, and some Belgian yeast. Very nice mouthfeel with good carbonation. Drinkability is very nice and smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2010 02:45:40 | More by Thorpe429

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap for the 4th Annual LA Beer Week Beer Festival at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a slightly murky honey brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, brown sugar, caramel, yeast, and spices. Taste is much the same with a mild spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2012 04:16:43 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a dark mahogany color with a decent head that disappears way too quickly and leaves a few spots of lacing

Smell: Various fruity esters, including prunes, apricots, dates and applesauce along with some distinct fusel alcohol aromas

Taste: Starts with a rather fruity element that mirrors the aroma, along with some maple and spice cake flavors; following the swallow, a harsh, woody element takes over (perhaps this will subside with age)

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and surprisingly effervescent

Drinkability: This beer has a fair amount going for it and is a good effort on the part of a US brewer to create a dubbel; it could use a bit more depth of flavor and a less harsh finish

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2006 01:31:13 | More by brentk56

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

(On-tap at the Brick Store Pub).

Appearance: What a beaut! Crimson red hue capped with a rather sturdy tan-colored head.

Smell: Suitably rich, yeasty aroma consisting of bananas, cherries, and spice layered with a pleasing malt presence.

Taste: Hefty malt sweetness upfront with notes of chocolate, brown sugar, almonds, and more cherries (providing just a tinge of tartness). Ends with just a soft touch of pepper in the otherwise sweet, lingering finish. Never really delivers any substantial hop bitterness or flavors.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, and surpassingly soft on the palate.

Drinkability: Are you up for a decent American attempt at a Belgium style? This can be that beer. It will be that beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2006 19:50:37 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of Bu11zeye: Poured a deep mahogany color ale with a medium size dirty brown head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of sweet malt with a small touch of dry fruits is quite interesting. Taste of sweet malt is offset by some light dry fruits. Body is quite full with some adequate carbonation and no alcohol was noticeable. I thought it lack some complexities for the style but still very enjoyable nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2007 15:22:25 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.73/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A really good attempt at packaging of this product. The cork and tie-down, the label, and 750 mil bottle all make a convencing Belgian look; even with a bit of sarcasm in the image. Pours a rich, rust color with a 50% haze and good head retention. Very sweet in the nose--some of malts, some of complimentary grains, sugars, and fruity esters. Tastes very sweet with barley malts, candy sugars, wheat malt, and an underlying confectionate sugar flavor. Balanced with a mild hop bitterness, alcoholic bite, and fruitcake variety. Still, lacking the complexity and true Belgian yeast characters. Not as tart or pepery as I like in true Belgian varieties. Just not funky enough. The feel is nearly sticky-sweet, rich, and full; helped out with some alcohol thinning, but remains very sweet well into the aftertaste. Overall, a fine brew, but cannot compete with the Belgian greats, especially for the price.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2007 22:04:02 | More by BEERchitect

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy Burgundy accented dark mahogany. Antique white head dissipates shortly (bar glassware perhaps...). Glowing ruby highlights and a rim of gold.

The nose expresses deep caramel with fruit pulp (plum) and a vinous accent. Background spice.

Effervescent. Foams in the mouth.

Flavor: malty, bready, sweet, vinous, fruity, dark skinned fruit, sugary candy... the alcohol is obvious and lends some spice. Otherwise clean. Not particularly phenolic, but present (mild suggestion of bubblegum/banana).

Finishes dry and bitter with a wash of alcohol.

A bit hot, a bit sweet. ....out of round.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2006 00:28:24 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter at ChurchKey.

Another one of those constantly passed beers that I've always wanted to try. Finally! It pours a deep dark brown (borderline hazy), with a finger-and-a-half of ecru micro-foam on top, which quickly fades into nothingness. The nose comprises soap, bubblegum, raisins, banana, and pepper. The taste runs along somewhat similar, though darker, lines: notes of figs, raisins, cinnamon, sharp bitterness, cracked pepper, and light vinegar pervade the tongue. Something seems off...I can't put my finger on it, but the combination just leaves a bad taste in my mouth (literally). Well, not bad, but definitely not good either. The body is a surprising light medium, with light carbonation and a very fluid feel. Overall, I've gotta say that I'm pretty disappointed in this brew. I've had many that are worse, but this one was hyped-up a decent amount, and it just couldn't live up. If it weren't for that off-taste...

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2010 06:40:30 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

3.95/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer poured rather dark amber in color with a thin beige head that quickly dissipated into just a few bubbles around the edge of the goblet. A light amount of carbonation is visible.
S: The aroma is rather complex and the nose has notes of caramel, cherries and plums.
T: The overall taste is relatively sweet and has flavors of cherries, raisins and malty sweetness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and very smooth on the palate.
D: The beer is very easy to drink and the alcohol is well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2010 01:52:55 | More by metter98

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

For this evenings liturgy, the sacred text we turn to is from Brother Ellington: It Don't Mean A Thing, If It Ain't Got That Swing. Brother Monk swings it in his angular, avuncular way on the 88's, getting us in the groove in his inimitable fashion, we're deep in the pocket, the rhythm's rockin', we're reeling with the feeling...

A clear, dusky crimson shade, this, with a slim, cola-toned head...not as impressive as I like a dubbel, but fair, s'okay, s'alright...
("Sophisticated Lady" is next, and I'm set in a proper frame...)

Nose starts with sweet things, dark fruits, mingling with spices, plums and cinnamon, apples and pepper, the dark keys get hit, while the sweet notes linger...
my poor heart is sentimental, not made of wood, ...I got it bad and that ain't good...a sombre timbre is struck, then a thrilling trill is played, a chord set deep in the heart, let loose by a freewheeling arc of high-flung notes...
cola meets coffee, ...Monday, Monday rolls around...
and I end up where I start out, just crying my heart out...Oscar strums, and Kenny kicks it...

We lift glass to lip, ale meets tongue, tastes thrills the buds, it's a sweet, spicy thing. A cola-tinged pepper is the first thought to mind, cocoa and coffee, black and tan finds a fantasy in the senses...deep and dark, pretty and twisted, fine and fancy, sweet and lovely...very evenly played, but you never know what's next...a cadence keeps up, a groove maintains, richness reigns, swing is always king,...big fat chocolate keeps time...
...you ain't been blue, ...no...no...no...no...
rolls and rolls around the mouth, a sweet thing, and full of character, plenty of hops to tingle the buds...finish on a beautiful run on the keys, and then start the next one swinging...I let a song go out of my heart, it was the sweetest melody...

another touch of the ale on the lips and the coffee/cola thrill continues...

...it's not too late, to make amends/ we were meant to be, more than just friends/just friends...

sweet, but expertly balanced by the darker tones, and the hops, well played on all parts of the keyboard, darkness and light get a little shine...

is it Fats Waller, Art Tatum, or Albert Ammons at work here? Or Willie the Lion Smith?...naw, it's another cat purring the keys...and now, Kenny's hitting the trap hard, syncopating like a clockwork kitten...

another drink and I'm liking more, as the spice and the rich, dark fruit rides over the cola-ish feel.
We're on a caravan, searching and wandering, looking for further flavors than the norm, stretching out against the desert of what we're used to...prunes bump against cinnamon, nicely rounded off, an equally met challenge of malt and hop.

Night, night, night, and the stars are shining bright...while the darkness drums away...

Kenny switches kits with Art who swings like a pendulum, and rocks like Gibraltar...got to be, bringing me, memories of you, as all the clouds roll away...

I like the quote from Monks' son, who goes by T.S., "finally, after all the years of getting a cut from the door, musicians will get a cut of the bar!" A refererence to the the proceeds that will swing their way to the Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz, which will receive the profits from this particular ale...I wish it were more than $2 a case, though, but as long as folks keep hearing about the man and the music, I'm cool on it.

It's a full-bodied, thing, with a long cola-tinged finish, plenty of sweetness, tempered with spice, rich and chocolate-y. But I forgive some technical flaws by how it swings on the palate and pleases the senses...and it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing...


This review was done to the tune of the classic recording, "Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington", recorded in July, 1955, with Thelonious Monk, piano, Oscar Pettiford, bass, Kenny Clark, drums. Some parts to the almost equally brilliant recording "The Unique Thelonious Monk" which features those same players in March/ April of 1956, but with Art Blakey on drums. To your own peril you go, without hearing these classic recordings. (I even reviewed it on iTunes, check that out!)(Plays Ellington, not The Unique)
and do I need to comment on that label;? Too cool! Brother Monk holding court!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2006 11:37:32 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.73/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a cloudy brown color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a nice, malty scent that boasts of crystal malts and Belgian yeast. It's sweet with the alcohol warmth and a fruity presence; raisons, figs. The taste is decent. It's full of malt flavor especially the crystal malts and a bit of special roast. It has a solid yeast fruitiness with a warm raisony finish. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good drinking beer. It's a bit too much with the alcohol warmth. It could also use some more body and/or specialty malts. All in all, a fine effort.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2007 02:59:13 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Brother Thelonious. Apparently a purchase of this beer benefits a Jazz organization out in California, good to know. This was a standard fair, American made Belgian style ale. It was darker than I expected but it turned out to be about a strong brown ale. The mouthfeel was sweet and full. Dark brown, almost no head or carbonation but you wouldn't especially expect a beer like this to have either of those. Nearly 9% ABV and this was a big bottle, it packed a wallop. It wasn't the easiest beer to drink. The sweetness of the malt and the sweetness of the high alcohol were not as balanced as I would have liked. There is definetly a market for this beer though, it just may not be me. I have seen this beer (and maybe you have too) and have been curious for a while. I am glad I drank one and it is a good beer for me to start out my new journey on. If you like brown ales or porters and are looking for a serious one, or if you are into Belgian style ales (especially dark ales), you should check this out.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2009 16:37:05 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours a hazy brown color with a white head. The aroma has a ton of toffee malt, as well as quite a bit of dark fruit. The flavor is somewhat similar. I get a lot of toffee and grain notes, as well as some brown sugar and some dark fruit. Overall, the beer is fairly sweet. There is also some noticeable alcohol present in the flavor. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 04:16:54 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a semi-opaque, deep mahogany color with a small, tan head. It ledt a soapy lace/residue.

S - It smelled sweet and of fruits (pear and apple). Some spicy notes, too.

T - This is a very complex dubbel. Lots of fruit flavors, sweet caramel malt, spices, and a subtle hop bitterness.

M - It was soft and smooth. A medium to heavy-bodied beer.

D - This is an excellent North Coast beer. It belongs up there with Old Rasputin and Praqster.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2008 18:43:02 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a coppery brown color, with a short off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a decent lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of apples, caramel, brown sugar, some chocolate, Belgian yeast and some hops.

T: The taste is sweet up front with flavors of brown sugar, caramel and a little chocolate that are quickly followed a mild flavor of tart fruit. There's a nice Belgian yeast backbone and a heart malt character. The hops presence is mild but complementary. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, this might not be the best Belgian-style beer I've had but it's a solid beer overall that is worth drinking for a while.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2009 02:19:11 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This brew poured out as a dark reddish brown color, the head was a cream color and looked pretty fluffy. The smell of the beer had some dark malt aromas giving off a little sweetness and some bready Belgian yeast as well. The taste of the beer has a little bit of dark fruit in the mix along with some earthy notes. The mouthfeel was about average for me on this one, it's smooth but just doesn't wow me. Overall this beer isn't bad, I know a lot of people who love it but I've had it a few times and I still haven't been overly impressed by it.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2011 02:34:54 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours deep ruby red/chestnut with a 3 fingers+ tan head into my Vondel glass. Near zero head retention & lacing

S: Chocolate& fruittyness, then alcohol as it warms

T: Chocolate & fruittyness (plums & cherries) up front along some biscuitty notes. Raisin hints follow along with cherry notes & dryness. Warming alcohol slowly creeps in along with vanilla & caramel. Finishes dry, fruitty & warming with hints of chocolate

MF: Chewy with low carbonation

Drinks alright for the abv, says it's an abbey-style ale. This works for me a slightly amped up dubbel

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2006 04:15:46 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled August 2006
As I pours this brew it shows a brilliantly clear, brown amber color, as it sits in my glass though it is a dark, opaque, reddish tinged deep brown color. The head is frothy and the color of creamed / frothed maple syrup, that is to say it is a amberish, dark tan color. The aroma is quite fruit focused up front; notes of raisins, figs, and concord grapes mix together to form a rich, concentrated fruitiness. The fruit is just slightly balanced by a hint of spicy clove, and a maltiness towards the finish that is a blend of toasted grain, and caramelized malt. This finishes with just a touch of alcohol; the combination of fruit and alcohol makes me think of rum, or perhaps a cherry liquor, or better yet a sweet plum wine.

Sweet up front, with an initial light chocolate note that quickly gives way to an intense concentrated fruit note. Notes of prunes are prominent, but right underneath this is a large amount of more traditional malt flavors. Notes of caramelized raisins intermingle with a touch of toasted grain and, of course, that note of lightly bittered chocolate. This beer has some definite fermentation character as well. Of course there is the amped up fruit notes, but there is also quite a bit of clove here, as well as an earthy spiciness. The clove is quite prevalent, yet because of the sweetness & fruitiness of this beer it only plays a supporting role. Other spice notes seem to be a mix of allspice, a touch of ginger, something a bit like coriander, and even a hint of cola-like cardamom. As this beer warms up a bit the earthy, coriander-like note becomes a bit more noticeable. It helps to add some balance to the dominant sweet fruitiness, but that is still "dominant".

This is quite an interesting take on this Belgian inspired brew. Quite a bit sweeter than many, though in truth I have had quite a few increasingly sweet examples from Belgium, so perhaps I should say it is sweeter than my favorite examples. This does strike a nice richness to it, and is quite an appropriate way to end off an evening of culinary indulgence. This beer hides its strength fairly well. Also it is fairly light despite the sweet fruit character. Certainly an enjoyable tipple and I think I might just need to stash a few of these away to see how they age over time.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2006 23:49:20 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

3.78/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Beachwood BBQ, in Seal Beach, CA,

A: Pours a muddy, light brown, with a full size off-white head and some limited lacing as the beer is drunk.

S: Light, got some barley malt and sugar.

T: Very sweet, almost tastes spiced, ginger and cinnamon, with a full malt backbone, brown sugar and molasses abound.

M: A little to thin, though I admit the keg kind of popped as I was being served so that might have had something to do with it, medium-bodied ale.

D: Great drinkability, my only beer of the day, and finished it in about 10 minutes, a good price one of the cheaper Belgian-style American beers out there.

Serving type: on-tap

02-29-2008 19:23:58 | More by Halcyondays

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, saved from a trip through the beervana of Seattle, Portland, and yes, Boise, earlier this year. While jazz totally isn't my thing, I'll still entertain any offering from this brewery.

This beer pours a cloudy, dank, brick-tinged brown hue, with an emaciated finger's worth of fizzy beige head, which doesn't stick around long enough to suffer questioning. It smells of sweet caramel malt, dotted and blotted with figs and dates, some prominent dusty vinous notes, and mildly acrid alcohol. The taste is dark, muddled earthy fruit, understated caramel/toffee malt, a soft leafy hoppiness, and some mild booze warming. The carbonation is on the down low, brutha, the body a solid medium weight, and agreeably smooth (not that I'm saying anything further). It finishes sweet, fruity, and warm - see the prior liner notes...

While I don't particularly care for the eponymous artist's musical style, I do quite like BSDAs. So, it somewhat irks me, that this offering is so, well, simple. Drinkable, I suppose, but lacking that usual dense, complex oomph that usually pulls me in, and convinces me to stay.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 01:54:41 | More by biboergosum

Gavage

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: clear dark brown in color with a 1" head that lingers a bit. Light lacing develops.

Smell: caramel sweetness, yeast spiciness, and a bit of licorice.

Taste: caramel, light chocolate tones, raisins, prunes, and a touch of cherries. This is a bit bready, and the yeast provides a bit of spiciness along with a bit of licorice. Alcohol is barely noticeable.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp at the start, smooth and dry at the finish. Medium-heavy in body. Short aftertaste.

Drinkability: pretty good in my opinion. This abbey ale is a nice version that hits the spot when you are in the mood for the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2006 12:45:18 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours medium brown with a thin head that soon becomes pond-scummy. Some, but not much, trailing lace slides down the glass.

The smell is of sweet dark malt and prunes with a light peppery spice.

The taste is of sweet malt - caramelish with biscuity/bready yeast as it warms. Sugar candy dominates the dark prune-like fruitiness. Peppery spiciness is in a warming finish.

The body is light-to-medium. Pretty smooth for an aggressive abv.

Too sweet without much else, for me. Worth splitting with a friend, and for a good cause. A decent stab at the style, but put it next to an authentic Belgian dubbel...and, well...

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2007 02:28:18 | More by jwc215