Terrapin Monk's Revenge - Terrapin Beer Company

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

mscudder

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- A hazy straw yellow with a fair sized fluffy head. Nice bubbles from the head but receded quickly.

S - Belgian yeast, hops and some warming fruits. Nice aroma.

T - Wow I like the Belgian style fused in an IPA. Follows the aroma with a crisp bitter finish. Another please?

M - Too thin and light in my opinion. There is a lack of body here that I cannot ignore.

O - A good beer with high drinkablility. The ABV is masked well but I feel there is much that could be improved.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 04:13:13 | More by mscudder

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

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

appearance: OClear orange. Fluffy head on the pour that quickly reduces to a ring with a smattering in the middle.
smell: That is nice and alluring. Sweet fruit with a hint of aromatic spice, maybe cardamom? Alcohol too, but just enough to know it's there. This nose says drink me.
taste: Not up to the nose but still nice. The refreshing sweet fruits don't quite deliver.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 21:57:36 | More by cindyjeffsmith

julian89

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've had this beer several times recently. It's my new favorite from Terrapin.
From tap to pint glass.

Appearance: A hazy orange yellow body with a dense half inch white head and minimal lacing.

Smell: So sweet with strong white wine smells, a lot of white grape dominates.

Taste: It's a strong taste of sweet, bready malts and white grape notes. I feel a similar backround to orange blossom pilsner. The subtle fruit mix is amazing , orange, citrus, pinot gris,... and the hops aren't as pronounced as what I would expect for a triple IPA. Wow, what a great medley of taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium body and carbonation.

Drinkability: Oh, so good, good job Athens, from a GT alum.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2012 22:31:51 | More by julian89

Kromes

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: A hazy gold color with a soapy white head.

S: Belgian yeast, funk, pineapple, and hops.

T: There is a strong Belgian yeast, tropical fruit and alcohol flavor right off the bat. The flavor doesn't really subside and remains up front throughout. There are also some earthy hop flavors in the background, but it doesn't really come through until near the end and then you get a heavy dose.

M: Heavy body and a little syrupy. Peppery on the tongue.

O: In the Belgian IPA style it is pretty good. I would definitely recommend this beer. No off flavors, very crisp and clean with natural Belgian flavors.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 00:24:09 | More by Kromes

macrosmatic

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. Poured from 12 oz. bottle into snifter glass.

A: Hazy, light apricot copper in color. Medium head.

S: Very Belgian in the nose - yeast esters, banana aroma. I don't get a ton of hop aroma.

T: Starts like a good Belgian, yeasty, sweet; then a bit of pine hop flavor. There's a bit of a sticky finish with accompanying alcohol taste.

M: Lightish mouthfeel, not very much hop hang.

O: Good, one of the better Belgian IPAs in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 17:52:22 | More by macrosmatic

Tilley4

Tennessee

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an Orval goblet...

Well, there's one thing that stands out about this beer from a strictly appearance standpoint... It looks like apple juice except it's crystal clear... not much head or carbonation that I can tell... Very clear and very amber much like apple juice...

The aromas are pungent... A huge dose of Belgian yeast present with an every once in a while whiff of booze... Hops are definitely present and accounted for and seem to be more Noble in nature than anything... Rather earthy and floral if you will... Interesting...

Big splash of hops right up front followed by this earthy yeasty Belgian-ness that is rather enjoyable although I am getting some of that 9.3% here... Not knock you down booziness but it's there... The piney hops keep making an appearance here and at times they're wonderful but at times... they seem a little harsh...

I actually think a little time would do this beer a lot of good. The hops are a little prevalent just yet but I'm guessing that in a couple of months, this will be a nice brew...

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 02:04:56 | More by Tilley4

chinchill

South Carolina

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

Label proclaims "2010 vintage". After some warming, poured into a Unibroue snifter.

A - orange-amber color; hazy with a short-lived, bone colored head. Spotty lacing left on the glass.

S - True to style with fruit, spice and floral esters dominate a light malt background. Hints of orange/tangerine, white pepper, ripe banana and pear.

M - Moderate carbonation; medium body; a slightly dry finish

T - Bittersweet flavor with plenty of malt toastiness and a clear spicy-earthy hop component. Mildly astringent, peppery and bitter. Less fruity than aroma indicates. Hoppy, as well as Lightly spicy and yeasty, finish and aftertaste.

O - A tasty Belgian style IPA with initially subdued hops and a very well-hidden, high ABV.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 01:30:49 | More by chinchill

cvm4

Mississippi

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is a re-review... I originally scored this beer a 3.58

A - I poured this into a pint glass. It had may'be a half finger head and disappeared quickly. Has a golden haze, almost orangeish in color body.

S - A lot of citrus fruits on the nose. There is a faint hop presence as well.

T - The smell leads into a great taste of sweetness and spice. The hops at the end really balance out the sweetness. The alcohol was detectable.

M - Light carbonation and feel. There's a dry finish that leaves you wanting to take another sip.

O - I love this for a change of pace IPA. The fruits, spice and somewhat restrained hops are meld together well. No clue what happened the first time I reviewed it but this bottle is spot on!

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2012 23:10:17 | More by cvm4

LadyOfMuchBeer

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle to red wine glass, short stem from JK brewery in Austin, TX.

Pours bright Amber with 1/2" off white head. Very full color and body, steady visible carbonation.

Nose holds soapy tropical fruit(, light hops, and spice. Reminiscent of scented soaps.

Flavors are surprising. Very Belgian-esque spice and hop profile. Fruit flavor is orange peel, pears, and peaches. Thankfully the soap is only in the nose. Very surprised to see this come from Terrapin, but again, a really great beer from them.

Mouthfeel is thin, smooth, very pleasant. Bitter is fading as beer warms, which seems a tad backwards.

Overall, will definitely have a second or third of these if I ever come by it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 22:28:55 | More by LadyOfMuchBeer

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

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

A - For a spring release it doesn't seem to matter on the head department since the head fizzes to a mild lace ring. Color is a nice amber brown.

S - Very interesting smell like a mild cherry cough syrup balanced with an almost banana like Belgium yeast. Hopefully the hops are more pronounced since they are not very noted in the smell.

T - Yes the hops do make a nice addition to the balance of the flavor which mostly rounds to a strong Belgium IPA. Very little actual cherry flavor but the Belgium sugars are sweet and fruity.

M - Medium mostly the ABV does catch up with you but the flavors are balanced enough to take it beyond just sipping.

Overall: I would totally consider getting it again if I could find a four pack but it was totally worth the 3 dollars I paid.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 02:56:08 | More by DrDemento456

keanex

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Duvel tulip from a 12 ounce bottle dated Vintage 2011.

A: Clear deep amber with a thin white head that quickly turns into a thin ring around the edge.

S: This may sound odd, but it reminds me of a gummy flavored jello shot. The phenols are coming through with a slight alcohol kick, lot of sweetness as well, with cherries coming through strong. I absolutely love how this smells, it's complex but sweet, and just smells inviting.

T: This is really interesting. There's sweetness from the candied sugar and malts with a slight spice to it at the end with alcohol coming through, then on the other hand there's the floral and citrus hops coming through. The blend is weird, but I absolutely love this. There's a medicinal taste to this, reminds me of swedish fish flavored cough syrup. That can be taken terribly, but man it tastes great!

M: Full bodied, heavy with very light carbonation that has some sharpness to it.

O: I can see why people would not like this, it's sweet as heck with a lot of going on, but I absolutely love this sweet nectar. This is something I will buy at least once a year.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 06:34:23 | More by keanex

BHopp12

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter

A: Hazy, reddish golden copper. Little lacey white head that dissapated rather quickly.

S: Hoppy aroma right off the bat with a scent of bananas and vanilla. Definitly get both the IPA and Trippel in the aroma

T: Smooth creamy hop flavor with a sweet fruity taste to follow. Get the bitterness of the hops with the fruit taste of the trippel

M: Creamy, smooth with minimal carbonation, dry finish

O: Great blend of a double ipa and trippel. Not overwhelming with hops and rather smooth and easy to drink. Highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 16:10:46 | More by BHopp12

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

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy, pale golden color. The beer has a soapy, shallow, white head. The aroma is more fruity than hoppy... apricot, citrus, fig, and pear. There is a little pale malt and some herbal hops in the aroma as well, but he fruit dominates. Moderate in carbonation, this beer has a spritzy feel, but not the carbonic bite of a lot of other Belgian style brews. The taste is solid, and the best aspect of this brew. Some sweetness up front, balanced with a huge hop flavor and lots of back-of-the-tongue bitterness. It's a warming, aggressively flavorful brew. I enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 21:22:42 | More by Suds

suspect

New York

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a standard pint glass. Thanks to my pal Audi for bringing this one across the Mason Dixon line from the ATL.

A: Hazy golden color. aggressive pour leads to a slowly developing 1 finger head that disappears within a minute leaving a sticky ring on top. Lacing is consistent and plentiful.

S: Hop presence is prominent, yet muted by some malt, and a funky yeasty smell to go along with it. Overall the nose is not what you would call big.

T: Sweet malts flip flop with the hops and take over the flavor but not in a bad way, for sure. Bitterness is here, but again not prevalent. The most dominant flavor is probably the funky clove/barnyard/banana bread yeast. Very delicious. ABV extremely well hidden.

M: Creamy, dry and the coating remains for quite some time causing me to continuously reach for my glass. Perfectly carbonated, medium body.

O: This isn't my first Belgian IPA but I've only had one other so I'm not totally an expert on style. That said, since I do know beer in general...this is a good one.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 23:11:45 | More by suspect

JEdmund

Kansas

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

On the light end for color. Hazy orangey yellow. Smallish head that settles down fast.

Aroma is a lovely mixture of spicy Belgian yeast and fruity, bubblegum hops. Pale malt let's those hops and yeast showboat nicely.

Flavor is one of the better BIPAs I've had. I don't know if it's the yeast I like so much or just how dialed in it all is, but this has a really nice flavor that has me hooked. It's got the Belgian quality, but it's not running wild with spice. And the hops are providing a softening effect to that yeast with their floral, bubblegum, and orangey goodness. Body is syrupy smooth though it's not syrupy thick. Really good feel to it.

My second Terrapin beer and it lives up to the brewery's high accolades and respect. I think they've crafted an outstanding Belgian IPA with this one. I'm going to savor the rest of my glass and look forward to the next time I'm able to enjoy some fine beer by Terrapin.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 14:13:39 | More by JEdmund

Gmann

New York

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

Pours a golden brown color with a light reddish hue. The off white head is short and quickly settles into a light ring.

The aroma is sweet with candied tropical fruit notes. Almost has a fruit punch aroma to it. There is some band-aid phenols and pepper from the yeast. Some fusel alcohol vapors. It has that typical American made Belgian style aroma; way too sweet and boozy. Not much in the way of hops.

The taste is of a cracker-like palt malt. There is a good amount of tropical fruit sweetness. Again some fruit punch. The sweetness is quickly cut by a chalky earthy bitterness from the hops. The band-aid phenols come through in the flavor as well and it also brings the fusel alcohol. Kind of a mess of flavors.

The feel is light to moderate with tingly carbonation. Both sweet and bitter on the palate. Not very clean on the palate and the ABV is noticable.

Meh, typical american made belgian style brew. Not sure why most American brewers can't figure these styles out. The flavors are too heavy handed, not delicate. Boozy.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 23:08:31 | More by Gmann

Ohiovania

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked this up on a whim at a case shop in PA. It was worth it.

The nose left a little to be desired but the hops and the Belgian sweetness mix nicely. The bottles I have are a little aged but the alcohol taste, I'm assuming, has greatly receded from what others have said about it when fresh. The hops have faded a little too, i don't get a DIPA and a triple out of it, but that's expected.

They recommend aging for up to 3 years and I think I'm gonna see where a few bottles of this goes with some more age.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 17:07:26 | More by Ohiovania

Radome

Spain

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted on tap at Mellow Mushroom Pizza in Destin, FL.

A - White head has only wisps on the surface plus lacing. Beer color is dark amber. Slightly hazy.

S - Main component is US hops. Some malt and brown sugar in the background. Smells nice but very out of character for style.

T - Upfront West Coast hops. Secondarily there are some Abbey flavors like plums, brown sugar, bready malt and Belgian yeast notes.

M - Strong hops bitterness. Light carbonation. Light to medium body.

O - Not what I was hoping for when I ordered the only Belgian-sounding thing on the menu. It seems more like an American Pale Ale with some Belgian characteristics than anything. However, it is an enjoyable beer even for a die-hard Belgian fan like me. I'd prefer the emphasis to be on malt and yeast, but this is a good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2011 22:00:52 | More by Radome

BennyL1

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a perfect pint. 2011 vintage. Says on the label that this brew is a cross between a Belgian Tripel and an American Double IPA, should be interesting. Very cool label art as well.

Monk's Revenge pours a fairly hazy orange with a decent sized head that falls pretty quickly. Spotty lacing left along the glass.

Aromas of floral and piney hops as well as that distinct characteristic of Belgian yeast. Notes of clove, spice, and banana. Really nice.

Belgian characteristics shine through in the taste. Some spice notes combine with slightly citrus hop notes to make for a distinct and pleasing taste. Medium in body and carbonation. Finish on the sweeter side with a very slight burn.

A very unique beer that I really enjoyed. This is a good beer to mix up your normal rotation with.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 00:12:09 | More by BennyL1

lovindahops

New York

4.43/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

i love belgian ipas. Especially when the focus is to create a cross between an am ipa and belgian interpretation. That is exactly what I am hoping for in monk's revenge

a- golden orange with the remnants of the lacing turing into layers of cream on the glass. I am liking what I hope will be an onslaught

s- perfect pine and belgian yeast. That is it! This is the scent I will always want! Bready themes combine with spices to make an uplifting scent profile. The hops are still bouncing around with a caramel/pepper theme. PERFECT SCENT

T- yeast and hops are all over this experience. Bitterness and citrus flavors are all over. I am enjoying this

M- great carbonation and an engulfing buttery theme enrobe themselves in my mouth

O- this is what I want from a cross over style. Terrapin, this may be my number one BIPA out there. I need more!

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 19:52:43 | More by lovindahops

tetu

Louisiana

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nice lasting head with great lace. Smells of clove hit hard. Tastes great with alot of fruit yeast and hop flavor. As it warms the aroma transforms from clove to a strong unmistakeable banana aroma, interersting. Reminded me of a hopped up hefe more than a hopped up triple, which I thought I was getting. I enjoyed every sip of this. Felt creamy and smooth with a hop bite that was weaker than i expected. Overall I enjoyed it and will pick up a 4 pack just for me next time.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 19:41:25 | More by tetu

theboozecruise

Louisiana

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass, oops. I hate it when I use the wrong glassware.

It's a deep gold color with a finger of bubbly white head.

It has sort of a bubblegum hop flavor, very interesting. A bit of a sour funk to it as expected.

The taste is a lot of the same, a good kind of funk and a sweet hop flavor. It's unlike many beers I've tried before and has a definite traditional hop aftertaste.

Good beer, I like it a lot for a change of pace on the tastebuds.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 03:20:37 | More by theboozecruise

bramsdell

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured 2011 Vintage bottle into pint glass.

A: Looks fine. A slightly cloudy golden, opaque. A thin (half-finger) head recedes quickly leaving nothing but the gold. Minimal lacing. Not exactly a beauty queen, but not bad looking.

S: Smells amazing. The initial aroma is a beautiful fruitiness. There is a melange of spices and fruits in abundance. It's truly a beautiful thing. Oh yeah, there are some hops there, too, but for a 9.6% Belgian IPA, the bitter smells are minimal. A faint whiff of citrus can be found, but the aroma forces the hops to the background.

T: Tastes just like it smells. There's a fruitiness, but the spices come through. I honestly can't say which spices exactly, but I can identify a coriander flavor (not a strong one, but it's there), and a near-cinnamon flavor. Then there is the fruitiness, which is a thick-bodied flavor, not nearly as sweet as the word implies. Banana is present, but very, very subtle. Finally, there is the hop flavor. To balance the fruitiness and spices, the hops add a bit of a bitter flavor to keep this from being an overly-decadent beer.

M: Really, this is the only downfall of the beer. It feels great at first, but the ABV comes through eventually. Though the alcohol doesn't do much in terms of taste, it is the mouthfeel where it announces its presence. Initially, very thick and sweet, but the alcohol does leave a bit of a burn.

O: A wonderful beer. True, there is a bit of a burn on the back end, but I could drink a few of these. I like Terrapin in general, but I believe this is my favorite of their brews. Highly recommended for anyone into an interesting flavor that isn't afraid to try something a bit off-center.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 23:34:59 | More by bramsdell