from the twisted minds of snm
Usually see Anchor Steam so when I came across this at Foodland, had to get it. Pours black, heavy head. Roast malt aroma, but not smokey. Balanced hop gives it some bitter, but well moderated. Medium thick mouthfeel. Gets better as it warms. Am I just too happy to find a nice dark?
3 out 4 dark monkeys.
Another dark from Sierra Nevada. Pours a extremely dark brown, medium strong head. Smokey aroma that definitely comes out as a dark roast initial flavor. Hops is more subdued than the stout and keeps the bitter note throughout not too strong but constant and lingering. You better like dark roast coffee. Medium thick mouthfeel, the carbonation getting quickly soft keeps the feel fairly heavy.
3 out 4 dark roast monkeys.
Okay, I know I’m not big on beers with funky flavoring, but I’m willing to bend. It’s fall, I figure this kinda goes with the season. Pours with a medium strong head, cloudy light yellow. Unmistakeable cherry aroma and initial flavor. Bright crisp tang, wheat finish. Medium mouthfeel.
I almost hate to admit, I’m enjoying this. 3 out 4 cherry monkeys.
Another of the non-normal brews from Kizakura. Pours a cloudy medium amber, medium head. Definite aroma and taste of the roasted black bean. Crisp brightness middle to a mild bitter finish. Light mouthfeel.
Aside from the black bean, there isn’t a whole lot else going on with this beer, I’ll give it barely 3 out of 4 mame monkeys.
I’ve been staying away from their less traditional varieties, decided to try this one which is probably the least unusual saying it uses rice but still yeast. Pours medium yellow, slightly cloudy especially if you swirl the last bit. Medium head. Mild hops aroma, mild bitter. Touch of citrus note, grain notes in finish. Pretty light mouthfeel.
A little undecided how to rate this beer, I guess I’ll give it 3 out 4 ricey monkeys, although I don’t think itquite rates it.
Last variety in the pack, Hoppy Red. Can’t say I was looking forward to this. Pours deep amber medium head. Pine hoppy aroma. Bitter, A bit of roasted malt, lingering bitter finish. Medium mouth feel.
I’ll finish the beer, but I can’t say I really like drinking pine cones.
2 out 4 piney monkeys.
Hey, it’s a Ballast Point that’s not an IPA! Unfortunately I didn’t read the subtext, “hop forward porter.” And that is exactly what this is. Pours a extremely dark brown, basically black, strong head. Hop aroma and bitter, with dark roast porter. Medium thick mouthfeel.
I find its not horrible, but I’d like it much better with less hops. I have to give it 2 of 4 dark hoppy monkeys. If you like hops, then you might like this, but you need to like porters.
Found also at Marukai, the Kolsch from Kizakura brewery. Pours a slightly cloudy yellow with moderately strong head. Fair amount of hop aroma, but not strongly flowery. There;s abit of tanginess in the middle, abit of bitter, then a grain finish. Mouthfeel is crisp. As would be expected of a kolsch, its pretty easy drinking.
Just makes 3 of 4 monkeys
This years Octoberfest entry from Samuel Adams. Pours clear medium dark amber, medium head. Hop but not flowery aroma, with roasty tones. A bit of tang ending with tapering bitter. Not incredibly complex, I much prefer the Sierra Nevada rendition. Still fairly hearty and drinkable.
I’d say it just makes 3 out 4 October monkeys..
Next up in the variety pack is this blonde ale. Pours clear medium yellow, weak head. Smoke aroma, not a terribly complex peaty smoke, just a straight smoke your bacon smoke. Hop tang and touch of citrus, clean finish. Medium mouthfeel, weak carbonation.
Just makes 3 out 4 smokey monkeys.