Brooklyn Manhattan Project

Brewed by Brooklyn Brewery
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Brooklyn, New York USA

Growler fill from Whole Foods Upper West Side. Pours a deep reddish brown with a thin off-white head. Aroma is largely cinnamon, though I also detected clove, a bit of wood, and a slight wisp of cherry. Taste is cinnamon and clove up front exploding into a complex array of flavors including cherry, grain (rye), and wood. The finish is sublimely smooth, with no indication this beer is anywhere near 8.5% ABV. So offbeat, so complex, so utterly wonderful - best thing, by far, I’ve ever had from Brooklyn.

Tap at Studio Square. Slightly hazy, orange amber pour with a thin white head. The nose is absolutely loaded with spicy rye, both the grain and the spirit. A touch of light oakiness and a pronounced peppery spiciness. There is a great herbal component that is lightly sweet. It has a note that reminds me of the sweet gale that sometimes appears in gruit. There is a kiss of barrel flavour and a touch of vanilla and toasted oak. Spicy rye through the middle with a little bit of floral/herbal flavour retronasally. A little bit of light fruitiness. As it warms up there is just a touch of cherry on the back... man, this is one of the best of these Brewmaster’s Reserve series, and that isn’t faint praise. I’m a sucker for a well-made Manhattan and these guys have nailed what they were trying to do... I’ll be drinking this fairly regularly as long as they keep making it.

RnH: tap: pours a dark brown, leaving a very thing head ring. The nose was very hard to read for me, but I got lots of florals, a pickup truck full of grains, some earth. Smelled familiar but I couldn’t pinpoint. Tastes loads of grains especially the distinct dry/ spicy rye, high esters... I get a wine, maybe scotch/ bourbon feel here, also florals again. Going with JoeMcPhee: if this brew is intended to invoke a Manhattan, then I’m on board! (and explains why I find it familiar). Nice body, some oily medium thickness while remaining thin enough to session.

Draft at redlight redlight. An amber hue streaked with red in the light. I was excited about this beer because I enjoy Manhattans so much. It really smells quite a bit like its namesake. As a Manhattan fan this beer does not disappoint. Notes of rye, whiskey, cherry and vermouth stay true to the source material while a smooth body combines to create a very complex, very delightful beer.

On tap at Delaneys. Fruity malt aroma. Dark amber or light brown color with a large tan head. Fruity beginning that is slightly tropical. Fades slowly in the finish and I don’t want it to go. Great beer.

Draft. Pours a dark brune ruby hues with an off white head. Malty cinnamon spicy, light cloves. Raisins and dark malt a hint of chocolate incense, and a mild cinnamon spiced finish. Very very NICE!

On tap at rattle n hum with thortheviking. Pour is straight brown with no head. Aroma is uberly pleasant potpourri, nutmeg, and cinnamon spice- some maple and candied malts. Taste is same with cooling cinnamon tang. Would make an execellent winter/Christmas offering.

on tap at the Brick Store Pub on 10/17/09... pours a deep red with an off white head... sweet malt aroma with some cherry, plums and some light rye whiskey barrel... round body with soft creamy sides... fruit is pronounced up front... strong finish with light whiskey and sweet sweet malts along with a lacing of candi sugar...