Monk's Elixir (Monk's Brew) - Mikkeller ApS

BrutalSusan

Texas

3.03/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: deep dark brown, almost black. poured with little to no head

S: raisin and spices, very aromatic

T: raisin comes back to you in the flavor, not very complex and a bit sweet for my tastes. a touch of hop in the finish, but not enough. Baking spices.

M: the mouthfeel is very light and thin, I expect a lot more weight in a dark ale, while not necessary, the lack of weight really takes away from this one, could have helped it quite a bit.

O: Not a fan, Mikkeller is hit or miss, I find I usually hate or LOVE their beer. This one I just didn't like, won't go so far as to hate.

*As it warmed up, I got more out of it, some plum, coffee and chocolate I just wasn't getting before. Growing on me slightly, but still not something I will revisit.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 08:40:34 | More by BrutalSusan

caverog

California

4/5  rDev +2.8%

05-10-2013 19:42:17 | More by caverog

Poupae

Thailand

4/5  rDev +2.8%

04-28-2013 05:30:16 | More by Poupae

GRG1313

California

4/5  rDev +2.8%

04-19-2013 23:53:21 | More by GRG1313

KingSlayer

Mexico

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

04-17-2013 03:49:24 | More by KingSlayer

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into chalice; no bottle dating, but likely at least a few years old.. Pours hazy extremely dark brown, almost black color with a 1 finger dense khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass; with some light streaming carbonation. Aromas of big raisin, prune, molasses, cocoa, toast, pepper, clove, toffee, roasted malt, dark bread, dark candi sugar, dark earthiness, and yeast spiciness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of dark malt and spicy yeast esters. Taste of raisin, prune, date, cocoa, molasses, toast, toffee, dark bread, dark candi sugar, light clove, and dark earthiness. Lingering notes of dark fruit, cocoa, molasses, toast, toffee, dark bread, dark candi sugar, light clove, and dark earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice balance and complexity of robust dark malt flavors with fruity/spicy yeast esters; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a very creamy and slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish; but still definitely a slow sipper. Overall this is an excellent Quadrupel style. Great balance, complexity, and robustness of dark malt and fruity yeast ester flavors; and very smooth to sip on slowly. A very enjoyable offering; this ages very nicely.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:35:21 | More by superspak

rolltide8425

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%

03-23-2013 15:00:31 | More by rolltide8425

Chrily

Norway

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

03-14-2013 12:27:28 | More by Chrily

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

03-11-2013 04:53:02 | More by spycow

djrn2

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

03-01-2013 00:16:09 | More by djrn2

stoppertb18

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%

02-19-2013 23:17:27 | More by stoppertb18

atone315

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

02-01-2013 13:53:11 | More by atone315

samEBC

Belgium

4/5  rDev +2.8%

01-31-2013 17:40:20 | More by samEBC

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark black with a touch of brown around the edges and a finger of frothy khaki-brown head. Fades normal.

S - Sweet dark caramel malts, plums, raisins, other dark fruits, Belgian yeast, clove and other spices, candi sugars, some booze.

T - Sweet dark caramel malts, plums, raisins, dates, other dark fruits, Belgian yeasts, clove, other spices, candi sugars, some booze.

M - Full bodied, moderate carbonation. Smooth with a sweet, spicy, warming finish.

D - Really nicely balanced Quad with a great mouthfeel. Great yeast character.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 05:07:40 | More by ngeunit1

TonyTalon

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -10%

01-23-2013 04:43:32 | More by TonyTalon

schnarr84

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%

01-20-2013 18:46:12 | More by schnarr84

bismarksays

Iowa

4/5  rDev +2.8%

01-15-2013 10:01:14 | More by bismarksays

huysmans

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +15.7%

01-03-2013 22:53:19 | More by huysmans

Lee45102

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +22.1%

12-30-2012 02:45:23 | More by Lee45102

abex44

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%

12-29-2012 02:22:21 | More by abex44

FLima

Brazil

4.23/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown color, poured 3 fingers of head with a long retention.
Predominant sour and fruity aroma.
Caramel taste with hints of citrics, lemon type, and cherries and plum. Also, notes of licorice and fig. Mildly sour and acid. Aftertaste is a bit dry. Its 10.5% ABV is well hidden.
Light to medium body with light carbonation and small bubbles.
Really interesting and surprising beer, it smells sour but when you taste it, it is just like someone added just a few lemon drops. I hope they did not target to do a copy of Belgian Quads, which is not Mikkeller’s style, I believe they just got a base to brew something new and challenging. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 21:11:54 | More by FLima

cdayb1

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

12-16-2012 22:17:31 | More by cdayb1

jusdrink

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%

11-26-2012 07:54:54 | More by jusdrink

merc7186

New York

3.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber into a snifter glass.

A: Dark Brown Hue, Passes Mild Light, Off White Head, Some Lacing

S: Dark Cherries, Black Plums, Apples, Sweet Bread

T: Sweet Bread, Dark Cherries

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Semi Sweet, Lightly Boozy

Overall, a nice quad that has a milder taste but still the boozy flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 00:23:40 | More by merc7186

DoktorZee

Alberta (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 333ml bottle into a tulip. Cap with a best before of 15/02/18!

A - deep brown in color with ruby highlights when viewed through light; very little head that resolves exceptionally quickly with almost no lacing.

S - lots of dark fruits on the nose: rasin and plum, with some caramel malts

T - very tasty dark fruit backbone with lots of raisin, fig and a bit of caramel in the finish. Maybe even a hint of licorice. Considerably less sweet than other Quads I've had; much more drinkable as a result. Less intense in the finish than I'd expect, but still balanced with a lot of dark fruit and spiciness lingering on the tongue.

M - much lighter mouthfeel than expected, at most it's medium bodied and not syrupy in the least; it's certainly not crisp and only has light carbonation, but it's not overly heavy.

Overall this is a really interesting Quad. In some ways it tastes a lot like a Belgian Strong Dark Ale as it lacks the sweetness I've had in other Quads, though it's certainly got the alcohol. Very tasty beer. Very highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 23:33:07 | More by DoktorZee