Terrapin Monk's Revenge - Terrapin Beer Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bruisin' Ales bomber. Pours lasting white head onto medium yellow body. Carbonation bubbles. Fresh yeast aroma. A Belgian ale, backed by sufficient hops to keep it from going to the sweet side. Very drinkable.Above average mouthfeel.Good balnce, alcholol well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2010 00:41:50 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

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

"Revenge does not long remain unrevenged."

--German proverb

Radiant kumquat orange with highlights of golden honey. The pastel lemon colored lid has an incredibly rich and creamy texture. It looks even better as it melts and is starting to lay down a good bit of lace as well.

Even though it's now nearly one year of age, the American hops in this Belgian-style DIPA are still mighty pleasing to the nose. The lineup includes Magnum, Columbus, Centennial, Chinook, Amarillo, Cascade and Simcoe. When it comes to the little green cones, these guys don't mess around. The Trappist yeast strain is appreciated as well.

Terrapin's stated aim was to brew a beer with the malt bill of a tripel and the hop bill of an American DIPA. I think they've done a fine job, but then those are two of my favorite styles. Even though this big brew was undoubtedly hoppier on release (99 IBUs), it still has more hop flavor and bitterness than most Belgian tripels.

Munich malt wasn't the best choice, although it doesn't do too much harm given what else is occupying the taste buds. The tropical fruitiness of Simcoe is especially noted... which is a very good thing. Finally, white pepper and clove from the yeast ties the whole thing up with a style-appropriate bow.

A faint rubbing alcohol vibe almost certainly wasn't present when the hops were still on a rampage. Besides, it's easily overlooked by those who drink Big Beer on a semi-regular basis. Warming softens things and brings the flavors into slightly sharper focus.

The mouthfeel does not drop the ball. It doesn't even juggle it. In fact, it's an enjoyable combination of firmness and smooth almost-creaminess. Bigger and thicker wouldn't have worked at all. Nor would have more bubbles.

Monk's Revenge Belgian Style Double India Pale Ale (Vol. 5) is a little better than Gamma Ray Wheat Wine (Vol. 3) and is much better than either RoggenRauchBier (Vol. 2) or Dos Cocoas Chocolate Porter (Vol. 4). I'm still waiting for the Side Project beer that will blow the doors off the joint, but this one is worth a purchase if you can find it. Thank you to Rbald42 for the bomber.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2010 13:17:36 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another of the side projects I never got around to trying. I had two left to finish off the series and decided to open both of them this evening. Served chilled and poured into a 10 oz tasting glass, this one was consumed on 05/02/2010.

The pour was very nice with a deep golden, straw color coming forward right away. Nice two fingers of white foam quickly come up and over the top of the glass settling down with a nice amount of lacing that quickly takes over the glass. Very cloudy, even through the final pours. First thing I notice is the aroma of honey, lots of grains, bready malts and a noticeable amount of honey, whether intentional or not it is there. Grape skins start to come forward now as does a light touch of grass, nothing really bowling me over though. First sip is very smooth, rich and well carbonated the flavor is allowed to explore the palate quite nicely and really makes for a very full feel. Light grains, pears, peaches, apples, all seem to be well represented, but something seems to be missing with the depth here. Just not as full as I would have liked. Warming really brings out some nice buttery notes, hints of light flavors that really come across well. The ABV is nicely hidden and I was able to sip through the bottle without much trouble.

Overall not my favorite version of the style I have ever had, but I think it works. I would have no issue with trying this one again, especially with a little bit of age put on it. Might bring it into the great category.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2010 22:45:53 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes. Picked up at Rick's in Alexandria.

Pours yellow-orange with a nice white head. Nose is nice with a lot of spice and a bit of fruit. Really good amount of floral, citrus, and herbal hops. The taste is hoppy but not too bitter with a good deal of spice. Medium feel with some alcohol. A nice example of a (luckily) increasingly-common style.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 21:50:44 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Hazed, orange-gold body with a ½ inch of creamy-looking, white head.

Smell: Fragrant tropical fruit medley aroma paired with some spicy and sweet-smelling candy notes and just a splash of white wine.

Taste: Sweet malts with a hint of breadiness and covered in orange blossom honey and candi sugar. Meager pinch of cracked cloves. Send in the fruits; everything from pineapple to nectarine to grapefruit to even some yeast-derived banana. Moderate hop bitterness. Tiny pinch of acidity. Small sip of Pinot Gris. Oily citrus peel character and a final touch of spice on the bittersweet finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a bolstered oily heft to it. Medium-high carbonation, though I did have a bottle earlier which had a fairly low carbonation.

Drinkability: Why, it's a veritable hoot! Reminiscent of Stone's Cali-Belgique. The writing of this review paired well with the Murray Head song "One Night in Bangkok" playing on the TV behind me. Ah, Murry Head, we hardly knew ye.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2009 14:53:52 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a golden tinged amber color with a modest (for a Belgian style) head that leaves some splashy lace behind

Smell: While its age must be taken into account, this is more malt forward than hop forward, with tropical fruit, hints of candi sugar and fusel alcohol; the hops are grassy rather than citrusy

Taste: Belgiany yeast influences, up front, with a biscuity malt base and an underlying sweetness that sets a backdrop to the spicy hops that appear by mid-palate; after the swallow, the sweet and bitter flavors come together but there is a bit of fusel alcohol in the finish that is a distraction

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to brisk carbonation

Drinkability: A very nice beer that would be better without the fusel alcohol; the balance works well

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2010 00:17:53 | More by brentk56

oberon

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I have had only a few of beers of this style and havent been overly impressed with them,this seems to go along that line.Poured into a large tulip glass a mix og deep golden and burnt orange with a thin white head that is gone quickly leaving no lace behind as it settled very quickly.Belgian yeast aroams stand out most in the nose,slightly smokey and quite spicey with some overripe pineapple,just a hint of resiny American hop.Flavors are also more like a tripel in my mind than a dipa but its is pretty darn good.Phenolic spice flavors with some grilled pineapple flavors meld into a bit of citric hop but it never really comes thru to strong.If your a fan of say a hopped up tripel than you will be all about this,me I think its good but not anything to seek out for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2009 01:11:22 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a Sloeber tulip glass.

Thanks to DosBeerigos for this bottle!

I don't like the look on that turtle's face... This brew pours a slightly hazy golden amber topped by a finger or so of off-white foam. The nose is loaded with pine resin and grapefruit, hops galore. A dark honey hides in the background. The taste follows closely, heavier on the honey, but with plenty of hoppy pine and grapefruit to go around. Some banana, clove, and flowers are swirled around in the maelstrom as well. The body is a light medium, with an active carbonation and a fairly dry finish. Overall, a solid brew, an interesting mix of DIPA and tripel.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 15:57:26 | More by TMoney2591

drabmuh

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at a local beer bar, served in a tulip glass. Beer is dark yellow and clear. Forms a thick white head of small and medium bubbles. Carbonation is high as well as the lacing. Looks great.

Aroma is really strong and sweet, with only a mild presence of hops. I have no idea what to expect now.

Beer is strong and sweet up front with a nicely bitter and not dry finish. Its pretty smooth in the mouth but overall there's something about the hops that aren't working for me. All the flavors are there they just are merged into a single thought. Overall its a pretty good beer and Belgian IPAs are usually a mixed bag. This was is above average.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2010 17:37:48 | More by drabmuh

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a hazy, golden orange color with an off-white, bubbly, one-finger head of foam. It left some patchy lace.

S - It smelled fruity and yeasty. Maybe a little banana aroma with some caramel malt notes.

T - Banana flavor was present with some tart/sour fruitiness. Good caramel malt taste with some yeast kick.

M - It was crisp and sharp with a nice dry finish. A light to medium-bodied beer.

D - This is a very good Belgian IPA. I hope to find more Terrapin brews in the near future.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2009 01:04:21 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is very hazy yellowish orange in color. It poured with a thin off white head that died down leaving wispy patterns of bubbles on the surface and lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: The smell is a bit sweet and has aromas of Belgian yeast with notes of caramel malts.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has peppery spices in the finish along with a moderate amount of bitterness. No hop flavors are detectable.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer can be considered as a Belgian Double/Imperial IPA and hides its alcohol very well from the taste.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 23:26:24 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A solid pour produces a three finger thick, light tan colored head that leaves some light lacing on the sides of my 25cl tulip glass. The beer is a nice copper color that shows a brilliantly clear, gold tinged, copper hue when held up to the light. The aroma smells of pungent hops and spicy clove phenolics as well as some children's aspirin like notes as it warms up. The hops are a bit more herbal focused because of the Belgian yeast influence but still manage a healthy note of tropical fruit, lychee, tangerine zest and some sharper essential citrus oil notes. Other hop notes of pine are also here as well as some pale malt toastiness and some cracker malt.

A light malt sweetness and a biting bitterness greet me as the beer first hits my palate. Through the middle and finish the beer picks up herbal hop notes as well as some spicy, lingering fermentation notes of pepper and clove. The combination of fruity hops and fermentation esters makes me think of juicy-fruit bubble gum. The tropical fruit flavors definitely play a prominent role here with notes of lychee, grapefruit zest that is lightly sweetened and some kumquat zest notes. The spicy phenolics in this beer tend to accentuate the sharpness of the finish along with the biting hop bitterness, though this isn't overly bitter for an IPA, just aggressive. As the beer warms up the spicy phenolics take on some turpene like character as it lightly numbs the tongue. This beer has a light fullness to the body that places it well within the IPA range, though I guess you could say it was on the heavy side for a light bodied Belgian brew, though it is still quaffable enough that I easily polish off the 22oz bottle. The extra body does bring along with it some more malt sweetness that helps accentuate the fruity hop flavors. The malt plays a supporting, but noticeable role here as it supplies a backbone of cracker / biscuit type malt notes that are noticeable throughout the flavor profile.

Definitely an enjoyable brew, of course I seem to have developed quite a taste for a solid mix of Belgian yeast derived flavors and aggressive hops. I could definitely see this as being a touch harsh in its mix of phenolics and hops for some people, but I can't get enough.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2009 15:16:13 | More by Gueuzedude

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The look of this beer I found to be very impressive the color and head looked very nice. There was even some pretty good lacing too. The smell of the beer has some sweet grains on the nose with a bit of hops in there. The taste of the beer was hoppyat first then it settled into a light wheat style aftertaste. It was a little yeasty I thought. The mouthfeel wasn't too bad, it kept me interested. Overall it wasn't a bad brew, pretty good for a one off brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 01:03:15 | More by Knapp85

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appears a cloudy amber with a short white head. The aroma is a mix of Belgian fruit esters and hoppy citrus. There's a bit of bitter bite and pine hop at the finish with a bigger grapefruit hop flavor, pepper, vanilla candy, and dark bread crust taste. It's a great mix of flavors, but the beer is missing the deep, subtle complexities of a great Belgian. I will give it credit that for it's strength, this beer is very, very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2009 03:22:48 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottles newly released I'm guessing due to the new Terrapin green caps with the turtle bursting through. This label shows a horse back riding, leute playing terrapin. Aroma has strong tropical accents with citrus hops shining bright, a bit of alcohol present and spicy Belgian yeast notes. Flavor is a clash between American hops alcohol and Beligan yeast a bit of a cluster you know what I'm trying to say. Mouthfeel can be cloying because of the same tug of war I'm talking about, hot alcohol in the finish a bit of resinous hops and spices that coat the palate. Even carbonation medium bodied but I wouldn't call the experience smooth, overall I'm surprised they chose to mass produce this beer I'm still waiting for another Imperial Pils...btw their new limited release 22 oz bottles is a pun on Indian Jones.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 02:08:44 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is much more Belgian than IPA. Smooth and sweet with a mild hop tone to things; and I do mean mild. A slight touch of a burn from alcohol, which seems minimal in comparison to the 9.6% abv. Very smooth feel and very easy to drink. Nice brew. American brewers strike again with an excellent interpretation of a Belgian style.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 04:32:29 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a light gold with good carbonation and a nice white head. Nose is fruit, hops, belgian yeast. Taste is more of a dubbel than a IPA to me. Lots of apples, and other fruiits, light dose of hops, tinge of booze. Drinkable indeed but needed a bit more hops to it for it to be an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2010 00:02:29 | More by barleywinefiend

Jason

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz brown bottle with a vintage date.

LOOK: Slightly cloudy light amber color, superb lacing down the glass

SMELL: Papaya, pineapple skin, melon rind, juicy fruit, medicinal phenols, peppery, cotton candy, nectarines, herbal tea

TASTE: Smooth, semi-creamy, moderate body, big alcoholic esters, juicy, bitter, bubble gum, powdered aspirin, oily hop, mild resin, ripe fruit, very warming, bitter phenolic end

Not as I remember, beers change ... palates change. Regardless this brew is flavorful but a controlled mess at the same time. Bitterness seems to be pulled away from the flavor and strikes quick and then pulls back and the alcohol character is a bit out of whack. Still a fun brew to drink.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 02:41:02 | More by Jason

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I've been excited to start trying some Terrapin beers. Here goes. Got this one thanks to kkipple.

A: A nice 1.5 finger head rises up and slowly fades in my Chouffe tulip glass. It's a very clear orange maple color.

N: Oooh, a really nice Belgian ale aroma to start. Some very light Belgian yeast, slight Belgian malts, touch of sweetness and very slight booze aroma. With that is some lighter fare hops. Low alpha hops with a nice grassy aroma, some citrus, and slight floral aroma. I really like how it keeps the hops lighter and doesn't overwhelm and become an American IPA with some Belgian malts.

T: Similar to the nose. Starts with some Belgian malts, little sweetness and candi sugar. With that is a slight booze taste with a touch of warming alcohol. It starts to get a dubble or tripel like taste with the booze and candi sugar. With that comes a little fruit too, and touch of Belgian yeast. Then comes a slight hop flavor. Some grassy and low alpha hop flavors, little spicy hop, and it maintains light but maybe too light. The alcohol stings a bit too.

M: Medium body with a little stinging alcohol and heat from the booze, good carbonation.

F: Dries a bit but still leaves a slight sticky sweetness. Some lingering citrus and orange peel, as well as other fruits. Some tangering and grapefruit on the finish, seem more to be from the yeast than hops, but could be some nice hop flavor. Either way it tastes nice. The alcohol is still warming and spicy on the finish, and it gets slightly bitter but not much. Some nice fresh dry hops linger on the finish, a Cascade like taste. It comes on really late and adds a really nice touch that redeems the beer.

Overall it started very nice, beautiful aroma, and the taste was pretty good. They kept the hops lower and really nice on the nose. However, the sweetness and boozy taste is way to high. Just for a Belgian Pale its more like a tripel with some light hops, and as the nose was perfect with hops the taste was a little lacking. The really late finishing dry hops add a really nice touch. If only the booze wasn't so high.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2010 00:23:19 | More by jlindros

Zorro

California

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear copper colored beer with a small white head.

Smell is dry and spicy with lots of clove, pine, grapefruit and black pepper aromas. Lesser scents of menthol eucalyptus and mint. Very slight peach and rose aromas.

The taste starts out dry and herbal with a savory aftertaste. Becomes slightly sweet as you drink it, this isn't as dry as expected at first. Slight banana flavor and very herbal and slightly bitter. Pine and grapefruit are subdued.

Mouthfeel is good.

An OK beer spot on for the style.

Sampled through the efforts of Bentk56 and Secret Bunny 09 BIF.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2009 00:50:43 | More by Zorro

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a goblet.

Pours a crystal clear copper, topped with a finger of foamy off-white head. This retains with a layer of fizzy froth that lines the outer rim of the glass and throws a cascade of spotty foam up on the sides. The aroma is floral, piney, and citric smelling, with notes of fruit, bubblegum, and spice from the yeast mixing with malt to impart a sweet twang in the nostrils.

The taste has a bitter citric bite to it that propels earth, pith, and rind out into the mouth. Soft fruit esters mix in with the bready sweetness of the malts to offer up some balance. A peppery spice element trails into the finish, which is feeling dry and yeasty. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, being sharp up front and then more mellow and creamy feeling, as this rides along on the oily hop slickness underneath. Alcohol shows itself with some light warmth that hangs on the breath but I would have never guessed that this was close to 10%. Well done on that account.

Like others have said, this came a bit more like a DIPA/Tripel hybrid than a traditional Belgian IPA. While it lacked some complexity, this still stayed fairly interesting and drank VERY nicely for the size of it. Another solid Terrapin entry.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2010 20:11:29 | More by Kegatron

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From notes:

Side Project #5 courtesy of khiasmus. Thanks again man!

Pours a clear, pale golden yellow color wih a thin white head that quickly fades into a thin ring. Not much in the way of lacing.

Interesting aroma with a nice balance of floral and citrus hops, light fruit, alcohol, spice and pale malt. Hints of pine needle and citrus rind along with some pepper and estery fruit notes, especially apple and pear.

Medium bodied with a crisp hop bite up front that gives off hints of pine and citrus peel. Not very dry or bitter, however, because of the estery light fruit and alcohol sweetness. Hints of zesty pepper and coriander followed by a grass/straw presence as well as some apple and pear before a boozy dry finish. Nicely balanced, flavorful and easy to drink. Not the best looking beer and could us a bit more body but it's a pretty solid IPA/Belgian Ale hybrid.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 03:37:01 | More by corby112

glid02

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cask at the Porter.

Pours an opaque golden-orange color with a half-finger white head. The head quickly recedes into a thin ring around the glass leaving almost no lacing.

Smells of bright and light citrus - oranges mostly with hints of grapefruit peel. Also present are hints of indistinct spices and lighter fruits - pears mostly.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Pale malt flavors serve as a backbone, albeit a mildly weak one, soon giving way to robust orange flavors with a hint of alcohol burn. Also present are very light amounts of herbal hop flavors that are joined by lighter fruit flavors near the end of the sip. The ending is mildly bitter.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with very soft carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall I'm not sure this flavor profile would have worked as well in any other medium than a cask. Definitely different than the SP profile, I'll be interested to see how the bottles/taps of this version turn out.

Serving type: cask

05-07-2010 00:53:38 | More by glid02

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice addition to the Sideproject lineup. I'm not sure the hopped up Belgians are always my favorite style, but this one is nicely balanced and not too prickly. Pours medium golden with an okay head that fades to a thin swirl. Smells sweet and citrusy to start, with a nice undertone of lemon and then some Belgian sweetness and more earthy hops. Taste is somewhat similar- anice blend of citrusy hops that pack just enough punch to make a statement, but restrained enough to not completely overwhelm the sweet malt and fruity Belgian esters. Smooth, citrusy, and slightly sweet in the mouth- refreshing. Very nice, I can see drinking this a number of times.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2009 01:08:50 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass.

Pours 1/2 finger of slightly off white head. Color is a slight hazed golden orange.

Aroma: Lots of tripel flavors presents. Spices, orange peel, coriander, lemon zest, bananas, and cloves. Some floral hops, but not to much here.

Taste: Coriander, cloves, bananas, light floral hops, orange peel, lemon zest. Very nice flavors and a lot like the aroma.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, slightly crisp, and refreshing. Ends a little bitter and dry.

Overall, very drinkable for the style. My pour didn't last too long. Glad I could try this one. A very nice blend of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2010 03:50:45 | More by mothman