Tjazz Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Have you tried it?? Brother Thelonious (Monk) Beer: North Coast Brewing's New Belgian-Style Abbey Ale Posted: 2006-04-19 THE NORTH COAST BREWING COMPANY PRESENTS: BROTHER THELONIOUS BELGIAN STYLE ABBEY ALE With the developing interest in Belgian abbey ales and the monasteries that brew them, it's time to remind the world that here in the U.S., we have a Monk of our own. Jazz icon Thelonious Monk is the inspiration for North Coast Brewing's new Belgian-style abbey ale called, appropriately enough, Brother Thelonious. The beer is being released in conjunction with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, and the brewery will make a contribution to the Institute for every case sold to support jazz education. Like a Belgian “Dark Strong Ale”, the beer is rich and robust with an ABV of 9%. The package is a 750 ml bottle with a traditional cork and wire finish and features a label picturing the jazz master himself. ”Being a huge fan of Monk and his music has made working on this project something special”, said Doug Moody, North Coast's Senior Vice-President and National Sales Manager. “We're honored to be associated with a world class organization like the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and feel that this terrific beer will represent its namesake well.” Look for Brother Thelonious wherever fine beers are sold and fine sounds are heard. The brand will be introduced initially in California. Seattle and Portland will follow shortly after that; then New York and Chicago and a national roll-out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjazz Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Does Brother Thelonious Ale Taste As Great As It's Name? Aug 28 '06 (Updated Aug 28 '06) Author's Product Rating Product Rating: 4.0 Weight: Flavor: Complexity: Pros Very interesting, tasty, satisfying brew Cons none, really The Bottom Line A solid brew, well worth buying. Nice looking bottle, too. It will be on display in my studio, next to Saxo. Full Review Many thanks to the category lead, Bruguru, who was hip enough to enjoy this and add this to the database without me asking. When I saw Brother Thelonious Belgian-Style Ale at my local liquor superstore, I had to have it. This had the best looking bottle with a musical theme since Saxo. I hoped that this would be good, since it is brewed in California by the North Coast Brewing Co., who has a great reputation. Thelonious Monk was a famous jazz musician, both as an eclectic Pianist and composer. Their website proudly announced that: “The beer is being released in conjunction with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz (www.monkinstitute.org), and the brewery will make a contribution to the Institute for every case sold to support jazz education.” Well, I’m all for jazz education, and I’m all for beer. For me, the real question is “Does this beer taste as good as its name?”. When I was in grade school, the horrid Old Milwaukee brand had an advertising campaign that asked that very same question. Of couse, I said that it did when I was choking down my first beers. I was wrong then. So, what should a beer named after Thelonious Monk taste like? Unique There weren’t a lot of players around playing his style beforehand Bold almost bordering on shocking, some of his solo and compositional choices were a challenge for other musicians of his era. synergy his bands always were filled with solid musicians, who achieved synergy together juxtaposition of compositional and solo elements some of which didn’t appear to belong together So, will Brother Thelonious testify to a jazz and beer lover? The label describes this as “Belgian-style Abbey Ale” and reports an abv of 9.0%. The Nose Lots of nice Belgian malt aroma, mild sweetness. The Pour Dark brown, not quite black, a moderate head formed and then dwindled to about 25% of its peak. No real change in the aroma. The Taste light malt, very sweet, fruitiness tasting like raisins, some molasses. There is a smoky flavor reminiscent of barbecue sauce. The body is closer to medium that Goose Island Pere Jacques, but it’s not quite there. The Aftertaste Really intriguing – the smoky barbecue sauce remained after the rest of the fruit faded. This was an extremely pleasant finish. There was a little of the alcohol burn, but surprisingly little given the 9% abv. Food Pairings This is a sipping beer. It is fine by itself. It would go well with steaks. I also think this would be great with strong cheeses. Final Thoughts Y’know, I do think this tastes as good as it’s name. The barbecue sauce/smoky flavor provides uniqueness and juxtaposition. This brew is nothing if not bold but there is nice synergy. I’ll go 4+ stars on this. Solid, enjoyable. I’ll buy it again. Thanks for reading. God bless! Please check out my beer reviews, some of which are listed below: Goose Island Pere Jacques Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale Founders Old Curmudgeon Ale Founders Black Rye Founders Imperial Stout Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout Bell’s 20th Anniversary Ale Bell’s Batch 7000 Ale Baltika #9 Chimay Blue Belgian Ale Unibroue Terrible Belgian-style Ale Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Goose Island Bourbon County Stout Goose Island Demolition Recommended: Yes Beer Name: Brother Thelonious Belgian-style Abbey Ale Price per six-pack ($US): 7.99 Beer Rating: Better than most Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonym Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Does it make your legs do the 'funny' dance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Wheel Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I saw this stuff in my local hippie grocery store last weekend: http://www.realbeer.com/blog/?p=234 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 This is now about the 4th thread on this beer. <sigh> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man with the Golden Arm Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 i've tried it and ... ..."well, you need it" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quincy Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 (edited) 48 reviews so far on beeradvocate.com, scoring an 84 which translates to "worth a try." I'm a big fan of the brewery, as North Coast's Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout has been one of my regulars this summer. Love their barley wine (though I age it 1-3 years) and their Red Seal Ale is nice. A Belgian is a whole 'nother matter though. Scanning through the reviews I get the impression that it's not making a great impression with those who know Belgians. Some complain that it lacks in complexity, others note that while it's okay, if you're going to spend $7 you might as well get a better Belgian. I do wonder if aging would help, though I'm more curious about a tangentially named jazz beer by Dogfish called Pangaea. "Brewed with ingredients from every continet (crystallized ginger from Australia, water from Antarctica, basmati rice from Asia, etc...), this is slightly spicy ale, with a mouthful of rich flavors." It's the crystalized ginger that has me curious, not the ingredient from every continet part. Edited September 11, 2006 by Quincy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitry Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I wonder if it makes you epeestrophy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Is this the 4th or 5th thread about this? I can't remember, I been drinkin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Let's cool one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris olivarez Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Does it have a quirky taste to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Rudy, My Beer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slide_advantage_redoux Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Okay now I tried one, ask me now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Okay now I tried one, ask me now. Straight, No Chaser? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 All this beer talk makes me have to trinkle.......I mean tinkle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeCity Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Monk's Stream? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spontooneous Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Out walks Bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 And............SCENE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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