Monk's Mistress - Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Jason

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz brown bomber with a bottled on date on the side of the label.

Appearance: Quick to foam, slow to dissipate. Lots of action from the carbonation to keep the head alive, two shades away from black … very dark.

Smell: Faint licorice, soft yeast … dry malty twang. Quick flash of phenols, dark fruit and a light spicy alcohol.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Big alcoholic character, very boisterous and very warming. Smooth and crisp with a viscous mouth feel. Spicy up front with phenols and alcohol, very little hopping but it is not needed. Lots of dark fruit flavour; prune & black currant. Spices linger with clove, licorice, black pepper … further are some earthy tones, minerally.

Notes: Vastly complex, a sipping brew. Shared the bottle or spend the night getting through it.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2003 02:02:17 | More by Jason

kayrex

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

06-07-2013 21:36:59 | More by kayrex

shelby415

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

06-02-2013 05:47:38 | More by shelby415

itracy63

Alaska

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

06-02-2013 02:09:26 | More by itracy63

mc4z

California

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-26-2013 15:25:37 | More by mc4z

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5  rDev -2%

05-18-2013 14:35:58 | More by drgonzo2k2

atone315

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-18-2013 03:17:23 | More by atone315

Kuaff

Alaska

4.66/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Served at cellar temperature into a Midnight Sun goblet.

Monk's Mistress is a very dark, deep, murky brown color. It looks kind of like swamp water... in a good way. Imagine delicious swampy water you want to drink... uh... okay, maybe I should just move on. The head is pretty big for an 11.5% ABV ale. A solid two fingers or so of light tan, frothy foam.

The aroma... oh the aroma! There are mysterious scents of dark fruits, yeasty bread, and a hint of cinnamon. Makes me feel like I'm in my family's kitchen in December when copious amounts of Christmas sweets are being baked!

The taste follows the aroma pretty well. The predominant taste is a glorious sweet breadiness, but the dark fruits return here as well, revealing some definite raisins, and possibly some prunes and figs. The after-taste possesses a subtle, roasty chocolate character that I haven't experienced in any other Belgian strong dark ale. Phenominal.

This mouthfeel is slightly sticky, and has a lively, animated carbonation which I believe helps mask the alcohol. And that brings me to the ABV... has anyone seen it? I've been looking all over the place for the whopping 11.5% ABV, but I just can't find it. Tell me if you've seen it.

Just incredible. This dark ale is downright magical. And it's awesome that this is available year-round at a mere $8~10 per bomber. Midnight Sun has struck again.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 01:52:57 | More by Kuaff

huysmans

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%

05-13-2013 10:28:35 | More by huysmans

FredGallagher

Alaska

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

An amazing Belgian Strong Dark Ale that has very smooth characteristics (unusual for its bald class). Fruity undertones. Gets better as you sip. Midnight Sun Brewing has been really top notch lately. This beer is a gem.

I carry ontap all year round, compelments spicy italian - such as a pepperoni pizza. Not for the novice - but great gateway into darks.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 04:20:34 | More by FredGallagher

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-02-2013 22:55:46 | More by xnicknj

Kelp

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -2%

05-02-2013 06:36:14 | More by Kelp

Lare453

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

04-22-2013 23:55:55 | More by Lare453

ShemRahBoo

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%

04-08-2013 16:22:07 | More by ShemRahBoo

Jspriest

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

04-02-2013 01:44:25 | More by Jspriest

Sparky44

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%

03-24-2013 02:59:34 | More by Sparky44

nkeckhar

New York

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

03-04-2013 00:45:16 | More by nkeckhar

popery

California

4/5  rDev -2%

02-26-2013 07:30:58 | More by popery

kjkinsey

Texas

4/5  rDev -2%

02-21-2013 01:26:46 | More by kjkinsey

mjenkins5

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

02-20-2013 02:59:15 | More by mjenkins5

2dogbrew

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

02-02-2013 22:59:16 | More by 2dogbrew

CanisMajor

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

01-14-2013 00:27:08 | More by CanisMajor

MordorMongo

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

01-13-2013 23:18:10 | More by MordorMongo

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%

01-12-2013 06:08:22 | More by spycow

DelMontiac

Oklahoma

4.7/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

How sweet it is to have a friend in Alaska to fly this beauty to the plains of Oklahoma...

Poured from 22oz bomber into Crown and Rose Pub nonic glass.

Monk's Mistress is a splended drink and is just this side of black with deep red spikes at the fringes of the glass. The camel colored head starts out frothy and bulging, then simmers to a fine film in a couple of minutes. Lace is colored the same leaving thin flowing wisps about the glass.

English toffee, dark fruits, molasses, chocolates, wild yeasts, currant jelly, peppery spice, and table wine - I know this is going to be a good experience.

Knocks it out of the park with flavors of plum, fig, grape, chocolate, caramel malt, cinnamon, brown sugar, and a vanilla bean aftertaste that has my full attention. Outstanding and unforgettable.

Medium bodied and perfectly carbonated, this drink is getting the job done. Well done. Provides a very good coating so that those flavors have plenty of hang time.

I don't think I'll ever score a beer as "perfect", but this is about as close as it gets if there is such a thing. I notice not everyone agrees, so maybe there are inconsistencies, but Monk's Mistress knocks my socks off.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 00:40:52 | More by DelMontiac