Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale - Black Sheep Brewery PLC

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

i really didn't care for this one, and after finally trying it, I see why ive overlooked it for so long. it pours a standard golden color, clear, with an oatmeal looking head without much retention. the nose is sweet English malts, a little on the stale side, and a slight skunky aroma. the flavor is about the same, with the sweetness being quite intense in the end. its got a tin body without nearly enough carbonation, and has a sort of spoiled aftertaste. its grainy and light, for those who get off on that sort of thing, but its a far cry from the best English ales. maybe its better from the bottle, but im not sure ill invest in another one of these anytime soon. average in every sense of the word.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2013 18:55:57 | More by StonedTrippin

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.09/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into an Irish pint glass.

Look: Deep clear copper, not unlike tea. Cream colored head that leaves to a film with bubbles. Light random lines of lacing.

Aroma: Malts, bread, raisins, apples.

Taste: Starts out slightly tart and tangy with bready malts and loads of fruity notes, namely tart apples and raisins.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, tangy.

Overall: A decent session but lots of tart and tanginess.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 18:03:22 | More by JuicesFlowing

metter98

New York

3.49/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear but dark mahogany in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high dense off white head that died down, leaving a large patch of bubbles on the surface, a thick collar around the edge of the glass, and lots of lacy rings of bubbles down the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of apples, toffee and lemon citrus are present in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of fruity yeast and toffee along with some hints of chocolate malts. Bits of sweetness are also perceptible.
M: It feels light-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. A bit of dryness is noticeable towards the finish.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and can be considered sessionable. It's rather complex for a light-bodied beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 00:26:48 | More by metter98

nukem5

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a great amber color with nice sicky white foam cap. Some slight laceing down glass has occurred.

S: Smells fruity and piney with a bit of wet cardboard aroma at the back end.

T: Taste is also fruity with hints of pine and some lighter malts.

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied slightly over carbed IMO.

O: Overall a solid drinker and would have it again not the least bit unpleasant and very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 02:44:14 | More by nukem5

jucifer1818

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

a: billowing head, clear light (straw color) in appearance.
4/5

s: mellow with a slight fruityness, and very slight bready notes
3.75/5

t: like the smell. Light, fruity, and bready. Very much a session beer
3.5/5

M: light and wattery with some grainy texture
3.25/5

O: this, as said, is a light session beer, and tastes like a lagger for a ale. I expected this beer to not be very good, as it heavily banks on its name, but to be honnest, its not bad
However, you can do better
3.25/5

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 04:58:05 | More by jucifer1818

Caskaway

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Pay attention to the bottle - label and artwork are rather clever. This beer surprised me - appearance is complex, taste is straightforward.

The pour was brilliant. Minimal head but exceptional retention and lacing. Carbonation was active throughout, lively and persistent. Color is copper, reminiscent of sparkling apple cider. My sense of smell is not particularly keen, but I would consider the smell to be above average. Mouthfeel is acceptable for the style, taste is very smooth and drinkable.

The taste is familiar, not quite sure...perhaps a toned-down parallel to Samuel Smith's Organic Best Ale?

Given the style and the taste, I recommend being cautious with your food pairings. This beer is probably best as a stand-alone session beer, or paired with something light. I was snacking on pita bread and hummus, which proved a good match.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 01:46:05 | More by Caskaway

Utica_Brew_Review

New York

3.41/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Decent amber ale color. Smells like blatant gummy bears. Much more complex than you would expect. Definitely on the sweet and fruity end. Good beer for the summer sun. Decent drinkability. Tastes better than a shitty novelty beer--not awesome but better than you would expect.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 04:39:48 | More by Utica_Brew_Review

SmashPants

Australia

2.83/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Bottle: pretty awesome. Standard 500mL brown bottle, but come on - the label is Monty Python!

Appearance: mid amber in colour with a two-finger head that drops fairly quickly with decent lacing.

Aroma: not much going on here - light grains and a bit of those standard English hops. 'Skunky' is a good word.

Taste: heavy fruit and spice hops. Flavour dissipates quite quickly, with little else other than a biting off bitterness. Not terrible, just not as good as many other English ales.

Aftertaste: there are some good-quality English hop and particularly heavy bread malt flavours coming through, but only a modicum.

Mouth feel: a rather thin body for an English ale, with a usual lack of carbonation. Generally the lack of fizz suits the style as they are medium to heavy, but this one misses by a mile.

Overall: bit of floral and spicy bitterness, but nowhere near enough carbonation, not strong enough and not well put together. After 15 minutes it feels like a headache too.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 05:42:55 | More by SmashPants

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

3.68/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. A batch code is printed on the shoulder but there is no freshness date.

Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is light bronze. A finger of light, eggshell-colored head left a skim of foam and a ring around the edge.

Smell: The first whiff is sweet, fruity, and grassy. Apple or grape juice blended with honey, sweet caramel, light toffee, and grassy hops.

Taste: Grassy and crisp. It is on the lighter side, too, but still very tasty. The grassy and floral hop bitterness outshine what fruits are there. The fruit juice is there but not prominent. Pale malts, honey, sweet caramel, toffee, and lemon zest.

Drinkability: It is crisp, clean, and tasty. All around good stuff in my book.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 03:50:05 | More by TheQuietMan22

Hatchman

Virginia

1.25/5  rDev -62.8%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

A- pours a golden copper, looks like an ale. Very light head with light lacing. Some carbonation visible. Don't like the looks of the carbonation.

S- Smells like a lager. Taste is very mineral and copper, no hops, no malt, no alcohol smell. Smells like Miller Lite.

T- Tastes like a lager. No hops, no malt, but does have bitter mineral taste.

M- Light body, high carbonation, feels like a lager. OK, a heavy lager.

O- Still can't figure out how this is an ale. This is not an ale. This is definitely not the Holy Grail of Ales. This is a marketing ploy. The bottle is kind of cute, especially the part about being brewed over the bodies of burning witches, but this beer is all hipe, and no hops. Stay away, stay far away.... unless you like Miller Lite at 4 times the price.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 01:35:07 | More by Hatchman

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a clear dark golden color with. White foamy head with good retention and lace.

S- some mineral-like well water, cereal grain, copper, with just a bit of hop

T- earthy, sulphur-like water, grainy, a bit of malt and hop

M- light bodied, medium-light carbonation, slightly foamy finish

O- this one was a 'meh' for me. It's not ad but nothing about it makes it beyond average

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 16:55:29 | More by Treyliff

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Now why aren't more beers tempered over burning witches?? Anyway, this stuff pours a clear copper topped by a finger of off-white foam. The nose comprises biscuit, dry grass, light honey, light flowers, and a touch of cedar. The taste holds notes of caramel, light biscuit, grass, and a pinch of vanilla and powdered sugar for the sake of it. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, a nice EPA, one that's mild without being boring, and one that lends itself to a high degree of drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 20:58:50 | More by TMoney2591

lwillitz

Florida

3.63/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12-oz bottle into Samuel Smith "Tulip" pint glass

A - 2-finger off-white head over crystal clear amber body, moderate carbonation bubbles

S - apple cider; not much else going on

T - apple, touch of hop spice, nice malty backbone, dry finish; simple, but pleasant

M - light/medium body, high carbonation (gives it a bite)

O - a decent English Pale Ale

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 23:22:15 | More by lwillitz

tvv375ia

Iowa

2.48/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

poured from 12oz bottle into pint glass

A-a little darker gold than I was thinking for a pale ale

S-somewhat floral without anything dominant

T-mostly imported green bottle stuff skunky type flavor for me

M-ok but a little thin

O-not something that I want to try again

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 09:23:42 | More by tvv375ia

Poppleton

Virginia

2.95/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Aroma - winy with tones of rose water suggesting an estery aroma (8/12)
App - beautiful, clear golden with white laced head. (3/3)
Flav - nutty, bready taste but not very strong in any direction (10/20)
MF - smooth and low on carbonation. A very clean taste overall. (3/5)
Overall - solid but not really very distinctive or complex (6/10)

Total 30/50

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 22:38:50 | More by Poppleton

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale poured a darker golden color, with not much head. The aroma was weak, and had hints of floral notes. The taste was had a profound malty backbone, with hints of a floral hoppy flavor. Easy to drink, and a little lite in flavor. Overall this is a solid average beer, has a stronger malt flavor then other pale ales; enjoyable but nothing spectacular.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2012 02:45:08 | More by vette2006c5r

dhannes

Wisconsin

2.8/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle given to me from my sister-in-law that I think she got at Cost Plus World Market. No expiration date on the bottle, but this was a 12 oz. version brewed by "Black Sheep Brewery" in Rochester, NY...obviously contracted out (someone said Genesee). Also, the URL on the bottle, "www.eurobrews.com," listed several European brands that they imported.

A=A weird lighter brownish copper color...looks watered down. Foam head was pleasant in color, but did not last very long.

S=Nice aroma of pretzels and baked bread.

T=Very faint, reminiscent of a session beer. A tang is present...sort of reminds me of sourdough pretzels. I'm not familiar with the style, but this is less robust than I anticipated.

M=Very light body...close to water. Similar to an American light beer.

O=Not what I expected, but somewhat enjoyable. This would be worth trying again with a meal ...I could see this being consumed in quantities before a football game while grilling out.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 22:45:55 | More by dhannes

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

3.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 Oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A- Pours clear gold with a two finger white head. Pretty classic looking.

S- Pilsner malts, light grains, wheat. Smells like a lager.

T- A good pilsner malt flavor. A light oat flavor, some wheat. There's a slight lemon grass. Some floral hops. Fairly plain tasting.

M- Really smooth. Quite drinkable. High carbonation. Body is light but compliments the ABV.

O- No complaints here. This obviously isn't one to seek out but its a better alternative then adjunct lagers.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 00:24:07 | More by TwelveOunces

Josiah2729

Tennessee

3.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into pint glass...

Appearance: Copper color with 2 finger head, decent lacing.

Smell: Malt and some grassy english hops.

Taste: Light malty sweetness with a mellow hop bitterness. I am not getting the off flavors that some others have suggested. The flavor profile is pleasing throughout.

Mouthfeel: Medium thickness, smooth finish.

Overall: I stayed away from this one for a while because of the negative reviews. I finally broke down and purchased it in a mixed six. I am glad I did.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 13:09:07 | More by Josiah2729

doktorhops

Australia

3.05/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Ahhh, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, entertains to this very day with classic lines like "Oh, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you. If I went 'round sayin' I was Emperor, just because some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away". Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale however seems like some sort of an odd product crossover, not that the Python boy's don't deserve a bit of extra merchandising on the side, still I don't grasp the relationship between 'ale' and their classic film. Perhaps if it was a Medieval style brewed in Camelot that would make more sense.

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a nonic pint.

A: Cloudy amber body with a chalk white 0.5cm head.

S: Floral hop aromas upfront, with a pine/herbal fragrance, caramel malt base and hint of sugar to be expected in the taste itself. Pretty standard EPA characters.

T: As expected; caramel malt upfront, pine/floral/herbal hops in the mid palate and follow through to finish with a slight bitterness and a light astringency. Reasonably balanced with the flavour, but pretty average overall and not as good as several other EPA's out there (Spitfire, Pride of Oxford, Bitter & Twisted).

M: Light carbonation, fairly slick bodied.

D: Final verdict: Meh. Needs more hops is my (not!) expert opinion. Otherwise easy drinking, and apparently "tempered over burning witches", which is always good.

Food match: Roasted killer rabbit... if you can catch one (tip: you'll need the holy hand grenade of Antioch). Also African Swallow carried coconuts go well with this beer for some reason.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 09:55:18 | More by doktorhops

Dudeletter

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was about with friends the other night, having a good meal with them at the local British pub, when I came across perhaps the only thing more fundamentally British than a pub: a Monty Python beer. Let me share something with you my dear readers: When it comes to Monty Python, I’m a bit of a fanatic. I can quote all of the movies by heart, own the TV series box-set, seen the musical, and have scared away more than one prospective girlfriend upon their discovery of my ownership of a replica of the Holy Hand-grenade of Antioch. So when I saw that the restaurant offered Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale as they called it, I could not order a bottle fast enough.

As you can tell, the bottle itself is clearly marketed to Monty Python fanboys such as myself. Boasting of being tempered over burning witches is all fine and good, but finer still was the beer itself. The beer boasts a rich amber color and a fruity, yet bready smell. Meanwhile, the taste, much like the smell, slightly fruity, you can definitely taste the malt, and has a superb aftertaste to boot. As a whole, it seems being roasted over burning witches does wonders, because Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale is a very solid English Pale Ale, and a rather tasty one at that

Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale is brewed by Black Sheep Brewery, a British brewery located in North Yorkshire, and luckily for all of you eager to try it, yet not so eager to go out of your way to find a bottle of it, they sell it here on their website. At least in my opinion, it’s worth a try not just for the fan appeal, as it holds its own as a good brew, so if it sounds like something you’d want to try, I recommend it. You may smell of elderberries afterwards though.

http://www.dudeletter.com/?p=1265

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 15:50:39 | More by Dudeletter

ZeroSignal

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle poured into a SA Perfect Pint

A - Dark golden pour with a scant, thin white head; decent retention, minimal loose lace.

S - Grainy malt in the nose with a light, somewhat grassy hop scent.

T&M - Very grainy, and maybe a bit harsh on the palate. Relatively smooth otherwise with a rather gentle hand used in the hopping; with a slight grassy edge. Hint of a fruity sweetness malt in the finish.

O - Overall a decent brew that offers sessionability and a decent depth of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 01:19:13 | More by ZeroSignal

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

3.23/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

500ml bottle poured in a shaker glass.

A: Pours a golden to orange absolutely clear color. Forms a big white head with good retention and many lacings left

S: Very grainy. Caramel and hops. A British Ale

T: Follows the nose. Simple beer. Caramel, malts and hops. Slightly sweet upfront and mild hoppy aftertaste

M: Light watery body. Medium carbonation. Mild bitter aftertaste

O: High drinkability. A British session beer. Not good as Monty Phyton

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 17:04:55 | More by eduardolinhalis

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer is copper to amber in color with a tiny, fleeting head that leaves virtually no lacing on the pint glass. The aroma is weak, with faint scents of malt, biscuits, a hint of citrus. The flavor is unassertive and fairly bland. Hints of malt, bread. A bit of astringency in the finish. Overall, this was mediocre. Monty Python is hilarious, but this beer is unremarkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 01:54:49 | More by Huhzubendah

aranheaney

New York

3.13/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 3 Heads Brewing Pint Glass

A-Golden without too much head, little to no lace

S-not really much here, maybe a little citrus

T-Very Bland and Ordinary, officially nothing awesome here

M-again, not much going on

O-very disappointing, gimmicky, won't seek out again...

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 00:57:18 | More by aranheaney