Brooklyn Monster Ale

Wow. I had this one aged four years. One of the best liquids that has ever passed my lips. What a supple experience. All the flavours - caramel, strawberry jam, caramel, brown sugar, caramel, uber-ripe juicy mushy rasberries - are so balanced and soft that you can taste everything melt into itself so perfectly. The palate is magnificent, perfect carbonation that is fairly subdued and not too lively. The body is beautiful not quite clear ruby-copper. Very tiny head that settles to leave a small soft white coating on top of the beer. I was so blown away by this beer.

2001 vintage via kramer17801, opened July,9 2007 -12 oz. glass bottle- color of light muddy brown, with a thin off white head - nose of raisins, dried leaves, anis, dates, and slight alcohol – taste of raisins, dried leaves, anis, dates, earthy, cola, and slight alcohol (good but, it might have needed more time in the glass bottle)- body is medium, sweet, and with low carbonation – aftertaste of coffee raisins, cola, prunes, and dry earthy different tasting but very complex

2007, opened on a rare cooooold night in Florida. Pours a dark copper with a thin white head that quickly fades. Aroma is hoppy, toffee, and roasted malt. Hops are very aggressive american hops combined with smooth english malt. A very nice combo. Body is very much like a fine sherry, but without the sweetness. While it has yet to really age any, still very smooth and complex, very tasty. Alcohol is there, but well hidden. Hops do not slam you in the face, but you know that they are there. I am putting away a couple to see how this ages, because I think this is smooth now and can only imagine what this will become. A must try.

12 oz bottle via BA-SS-07 (thanks!). 2006 bottle. Pours a copper with an average sized beige head. Nose is fusel alc, vanilla, and grainy. Taste starts with some burnt caramel, orange-peal, toffee, and grapefruit. Body is medium, carbonation high. Abv is there for 10% but not overwhelming. I think think would age well for a couple years.

This is a 2006 edition bottle, which seems to have become milder/smoother over the past year. Aroma is malty with a little bit of hops and alcohohol, taste is malty as well with a nice hop finish and a slight alcohol taste that seems to have lessened with age. Still nice and warming and always good in the winter.

Single from Total Wine. I’ve had a pretty good run with beers lately except for the MGD. This is a really good barleywine. Sweet, floral aroma. Flavor was intense caramel and tingly, spicy hops. Nice warming alcohol burn accompanied the robust flavor. Wished for a really good cigar to go with it. Excellent winter warmer.

I think I am addicted to barley wines. I really enjoyed this one and am surprised at some of the low ratings...Had on draft at Brews in Granville. Sweet and very woody up front, but I thought this one was pretty well blended and perfectly enjoyable...

Bottle sample at a tasting. 2.5 years old. Dark hazy amber with a small beige head. Aroma of malt, dark fruits and quite alot of alcohol. Sweet malt flavor with caramel and fruits. Medium to full body. Nice and very enjoyable but not very complex.