Oak Aged Monk's Mistress Dark Strong Ale - Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

tpd975

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a nice rich deep dark brown hue with a nice tall off white head. Awesome retention with nice thick chunky lace.

S: Lightly roasted, with nice Belgian yeasty notes. Subtle oak with very light banana.

T: Not as bold I thought it would be. Fresh oak, belgian yeast with hints of banana. Light roasted malt and chocolate and dark fruit. Subtle for a BA beer but really nice nonetheless.

M: Medium in body, smooth, rich, sweet, malty, good.

D: One that you could sit down and sip on all day. No indication of the ABV here!!!

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 23:25:47 | More by tpd975

elNopalero

Texas

4.68/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

This pours a thick black pitch black. There’s an aroma of smokey chocolate. A whiff of tobacco. Some light coffee.

It’s smoothly flavored, and lightly floral. I find notes of dark stone fruit, some plums and figs, and a sweetness rounding it out. Delicious in its intensity.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-03-2013 05:41:45 | More by elNopalero

sprucetip

Alaska

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

03-06-2013 01:26:30 | More by sprucetip

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4/5  rDev -4.5%

02-15-2013 15:11:44 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.5%

01-12-2013 06:10:23 | More by spycow

ReeseMax3

Alaska

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

11-13-2012 06:04:37 | More by ReeseMax3

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

10-29-2012 01:06:20 | More by t0rin0

CharlieMurphy

New York

4.73/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap @ Midnight Sun 6/14/12

A: Dark as shitballs with virtually no head and a kale, dark green, tuquoise hue through light.

S: Bourbonnn. Sweet sugar, oatmeal, nutmeg, brown, sugar, dark barley extract, beat sugar, molasses, peat smoke over red wine tips and molasses ginger barbeque sauce (no this was no cooking concurrently)

M: OOOHHH MAN (YEM style) punches with old ale succinctness with all the flavors in the nose wrapped in a candied bacon package grand slammed with a bat forged from the essences of the nose polished with bourbon viscous used motor oil broiled high.

M: Smooth, rich, milky, full, contemptuous yet refined.

O: Widefooted ninja front kick of awesomeness. I would fight for a sixtel of this.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2012 08:01:59 | More by CharlieMurphy

ajs4bd

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-21-2012 12:33:00 | More by ajs4bd

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -16.5%

01-29-2012 02:41:45 | More by ygtbsm94

whartontallboy

New York

4/5  rDev -4.5%

01-04-2012 13:32:56 | More by whartontallboy

jophish17

Georgia

4/5  rDev -4.5%

12-23-2011 23:55:05 | More by jophish17

bespin15

Washington

5/5  rDev +19.3%

12-06-2011 21:04:25 | More by bespin15

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

11-17-2011 02:54:26 | More by coreyfmcdonald

westcoastbeerlvr

California

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

11-15-2011 01:15:06 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

mikesgroove

South Carolina

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

dark brown, nearly opaque with only the slightest bit of light coming through on both the sides and the bottom of the glass. Very rich color, with slight reddish tints, but mostly just a deep russet brown. A smallish maybe one finger high head of gold and tan

wood and oak like aroma mixed in as well.. Lots of oak notes still underlying, however these were now being layered in with a good bit of dark fruity notes, plums, or raisins perhaps. Still a touch hot from the aroma, as the alcohol was very discernable. There was definitely some spiciness to it as well, like a good spiced rum smell almost. Very dark and complex, I was getting the feeling that this one was going to put a hurting on me. A full on blast of spiced alcohol was the first thing that I noticed, kinda hot, but as it warmed it mellowed out and by the end of the session had all but blended into the background and simply become an outstanding ale. Loads of dark fruit notes were permeating through the flavor. Prunes, Raisins, Figs all very discernable in the flavor and really adding balance to it

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 04:36:03 | More by mikesgroove

AgentZero

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Brownish beer with red on the edges, no haze. Tan head that left minimal stick on the sides.

S - A lot of oak and wine qualities to this one. There is some caramel malts, vanilla, and hints of bourbon.

T - This kind of reminds me of a barrel aged scotch ale in some respects. Some brown sugar, spice, and dark fruits. Not a huge fan really, but it's okay.

M - Medium bodied, moderate carbonation.

O - I wasn't a huge fan of the taste or feel of this beer. I thought it was kind of boring and not the easiest thing in the world to drink. I'd probably pass on this in favor of many other things in the future.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 05:07:26 | More by AgentZero

MasterSki

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from the Beast - thanks Frank! Served in a Russian River tulip. This is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Bottle dated 3rd week of December, but not sure what year?! Label is of the newer variety, so guessing 2009.

A - Pours with a finger of light tan foam that settles to a thick ring and some wisps. Near transparent ruby-brown body, with minimal lace left behind.

S - Oak, vinous notes, dark fruits, vanilla, light char, chocolate and a hint of alcohol. I'm guessing this was aged in wine barrels. (Note - confirmed this batch was a blend of beer aged in both bourbon and wine barrels.)

T - Taste is milder than the nose, but alcohol is better disguised. Lots of oak, light vinous cabernet notes, brown sugar malts, and a bit of bitterness in the finish. Pleasant, but not overly mind-blowing or exciting.

M - Smooth, with no trace of alcohol warmth. A somewhat sticky medium-full body with a dry tannic finish. Unobtrusive medium-low carbonation.

D - A solid beer that I enjoyed quite a bit, but only in the middle of Midnight Sun's extremely high quality output. I'd gladly have this again (particularly if they continue to mix up the barrels used in new batches), but I wouldn't ship to Alaska for it.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 22:49:45 | More by MasterSki

glid02

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Corey - thanks! An older bottle with the original label.

Pours a dark brown color with a half-finger tan head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of sweet dark malts with smooth molasses and booze-soaked dark fruits - figs and raisins with hints of plums. Also present are light hints of vanilla and lighter hints of oak.

Tastes similar to how it smells, though not as well-integrated. Dark malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by boozy and moderately sweet dark fruits. Midway through the sip the flavor profile sweetens with the addition of dark molasses flavors. Near the end of the sip a slight amount of heavy oak works its way into things, fading out into a mildly bitter ending.

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

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have a few more.

Overall I was a big fan of this beer but I was a bit let down after being blown away by the standard version of this beer. Both are very good but if you can only get your hands on one, go for the non-oak-aged.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 22:40:30 | More by glid02

kbutler1

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle. Poured into a DFH tulip glass a dark reddish brown color with a tan coastered head that laces rather nicely. Roasted notes, vanilla, oak, and dark fruit. Medium mouthfeel. The roast is the first thing that notice in the beer followed by some oak and finishes with a dry dark fruit. Some booze shows as it warms. It's really missing something in this one as it seems to be a little one sided. Overall, this beer is just ok.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 14:08:43 | More by kbutler1

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured in a chalice.

Pours 1/2 finger of beige tan head. Good retention with some nice lace rings. Color is a bronze hued amber with a little ruby hue to it.

Aroma: Big oak and dark dried fruit flavors. Plums, licorice, raisins, toffee, toast. It is fairly sweet.

Taste: Really toasty. Caramel and toffee with light chocolate notes. Dark fruits and oak. Licorice, plums, raisins. Dried apples. Some spice.

Mouthfeel: Dry and toasted. Medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends rather dry.

Overall, a decent Belg strong ale, but I wasn't overly impressed. I was kind of let down with this one. Kind of drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2011 00:48:52 | More by mothman

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks Kevin for sharing this!

A- Body is a translucent very murky dark brown hue. Pours with a 2 finger or so foamy light tan head. Leaves behind some lacing.

S- Lots of dark fruit such as plum and raisin are the highlight. There is also a hint of woodiness, peppery spice and spicy Belgian yeast. Light smokey and tart acidic sour tones can be detected in the background.

T- Lots of peppery spice and mild dark fruit flavors upfront with a quite prominent Belgian yeast backbone. There is a slight metallic note that comes across for the finish with a good amount of peppery spice and belgian yeast. Hints of dusty wood and a mild smoke can also be detected throughout adding to the complexity. A mild sweetness and mild spiciness linger.

M- Soft carbonation, and a body that is very smooth and yeasty. well done.

D- This is a good, enjoyable brew overall, although I liked the regular Monks Mistress a lot more. Its a bit more complex than the original but has a much milder character and the profile is all over the place is some ways.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 17:56:53 | More by PittBeerGirl

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

2.6/5  rDev -37.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A-pours a dark bronw liquid, mostly opaque, tight light tan head, quite dense and creamy looking.

S-smokey wood, notes of olive, sweet plums, pepper, chalky and ashy in the back.

T-the sweet dark fruity esters up front, olives, touch of pepper, notes of chalk and ash in the back.

M-extremely smooth and creamy on the palate, syrupy but thin and falls off in the back.

D-this is a little off, has some different flavors going on. not impressed and really a little offensive.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2010 00:28:38 | More by cpetrone84

gford217

Georgia

4.6/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Big thanks to Jeremiah for this bottle, 2009 vintage.

Pours dark mahogany that shows through a brilliant deep copper when held up to light. There's a big creamy tan head that sticks to the glass aggressively on the way down and leaves a thick cap throughout.

The aroma is so complex and not quite as sweet as I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of candi sugar, caramel, dark fruits and chocolate, but the most interesting part is the clean oak aroma, almost spicy, with hints of bourbon and vanilla.

The taste is super smooth and a big combination of dark fruits, candi sugar and bourbon and oak. There is a bit of dark chocolate and vanilla and the same spiciness I got in the aroma. The bourbon burns a bit in the finish.

The mouthfeel is velvety with strong carbonation, sweet and spicy all together on the palate.

This is an excellent, excellent beer, probably slightly better than the original, which is quite a high hurdle for me. Extraordinarily drinkable for the listed 11.5% ABV. The barrel character really evens out the underlying beer. Wonderful stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2010 03:06:39 | More by gford217

ccrida

Oregon

4.88/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2009 vintage bomber poured into a tumbler, Oaked Age Monk's Mistress is dark, hazy brown with a creamy tan head leaving clingy, foamy lace.

Smell is big wood, vanilla, coconut, bourbon notes, more on the sweet side though then alcohol, really just some light phenols. Incredibly yummy.

Taste is awesome to the point of shifting your world view. Had this on draught at the loft too, and though it was too enjoyable to review, the bottled version isn't too far removed. Again, big wood, bourbon without the heat, nice brown sugars without being overly sugary, tempered by the very enjoyable vinousness, which I assume is a manifestation of the bourbon barrel, malt/candi base and esters, a beautiful confluence. Bourbon, red wine and BSDAs are my absolute favorite drinks, and this combines them all.

Mouthfeel is smooth and velvety, just enough dryness on the finish to keep it very nice. The light digestibility is aided thanks to the spirits, allowing this to slide down the throat better than no other.

Drinkability is crazy, this is an incredible beer. Especially because I'm pretty indifferent to the regular Monk's Mistress, it reinforces what a masterpiece to me this is. Smooth and tasty, perhaps their best beer I've had. Nitro at the loft only confirms my preference for bottle conditioning in all cases.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2010 08:28:59 | More by ccrida