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Midnight Sun M

 (RETIRED)
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100100
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Serve in Snifter

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RATINGS: 109   WEIGHTED AVG: 4.22   SEASONAL: Special   EST. CALORIES: 348   ABV: 11.6%
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
On this 10-year mark, Midnight Sun Brewing Company proudly releases its 1000th batch of beer - a larger-than-life Belgian-style Barley Wine (if such a style exists) simply called M - in commemoration of the enduring spirit that founded and sustains this little brewery in the extreme Northwest. Making M required a massive grain bill - seven seductive malts - boosted by strength-inducing Belgian candi sugar. Once original gravity hit 37 Plato, a frenzied fermentation ensued: four completely fabulous yeast strains, two of Belgian origin, transformed this sweet concoction into all that is beer. But not just any beer. A beer of madcap magnitude - 11.6% ABV. Character and complexity increased exponentialy while M meddled and mellowed for several months in all-American bourbon oak barrels. Blending the aged beer before bottling ascertained smoothness. M is mesmerizing, pouring dark and silky. Caramel and spice waft up from the glass; bourbon, molasses, leather and vanilla follow. The first taste proffers tobacco, burnt sugar and raisin with a sublime port-like finish, but bourbon - smooth, sensuous, brooding bourdon - is ever-present. The finish, a bit edgy like an American take on barley wine, provides the necessary leap toward overall balance. M is a precious gift to ourselves as well as you, seekers of beer-that-is-beyond-beer adventures... We are but mere mortals in the presence of M.

4.3
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 18/20
brewandbbq (269) - Manchester, New Hampshire, USA - JAN 7, 2008
Pours dark brown and nearly opaque, with traces of ruby in the hips of the tulip glass. A tan head of humble proportions struggled to reveal itself, with a stretch of a pour. The quarter-inch of foam dissapated quickly, leaving a partial coverage at best. Susequent swirls of the glass rose up continued frothing easily. Remarkable in the nose. Heavily laced with thick malt, dried figs, charred oak, bourbon, and port. Layers of richness continue with shades of leather, sherry, dark rum, toffee, and vanilla. Mouthfeel is thick and chewy. Quite sticky and somewhat syrupy. The pallet is rich and decadent. Caramelized sugars, chewy malt, vineous port, and burnt chocolate bits. Beneath the massive malt bill and unfermentables lies a cherry-like oxidation and bourbon. Bitterness and any hopping is negligable, and the vineous nature leans the brew into an "Old ale" stance. Finishes sweetish with lingering dark rum, port, smoked leather, and caramlized brown sugar. A totally unique beer, with liquer overtones.

4.4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 18/20
5000 (3998) - Hardened Liver, Washington, USA - JAN 1, 2008
Bottle for rating #2400: Viscous pour, burnt caramel in color, the deepest brown before becoming black, thin short lived light beige head, a few whisps of lacing.   Being at nearly two and a half years in the bottle, it has taken on an aged appearance.   The aroma is dominated by the raisin and prune.   Very subtle oak, vanilla, and bourbon character as well.   I can see where the aformentioned aromas might have been stronger years ago.   Any sort of hop presense has diminished.   Oh my lord, on first sip you realize how smooth and silky this one is.   WOW!   Amazingly smooth.   Wrapped around my tongue are raisins, prunes, soft caramel, and sense of accomplishment.   This is one of the better Barley Wines I have had in a long time.   Damn!   This one takes on a Port like quality.   Utterly delicious!   I do believe this one needs to be brewed again.   Full bodied, silky smooth mouthfeel.   So clean, well balanced, and flavorful.   This one is very warming, but not alcholic at all.   I am amazed to see that it is listed as 11.6% ABV.   Quite sweet on the tongue, but not yet cloying.   I think as time goes on it may get that way though.   Lingering raisins and prunes, with faint hints of vanilla, oak, and bourbon.   Sad to see the remainder of my glass being finished.   I really wish I had more of this.   Fantastic stuff!


4.6
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 18/20
Ungstrup (22906) - Oamaru, NEW ZEALAND - OCT 28, 2007
Bottled. A pitch black beer with a brown head. The aroma is sweet malty with notes of soy sauce, caramel, alcohol, and cherry. The flavor is sweet malty with notes of caramel, alcochol, cherries, and sweet soy sauce. Great.

4.5
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 18/20
1FastSTi (2990) - Glendale, Wisconsin, USA - OCT 23, 2007
UPDATED: SEP 11, 2008 Thanks Jeff. Pours to a dark brown body with ruby highlights. A thin brown head. The aroma is really nice. Aged malt and barley with notes of sherry, port, and molasses. Sweet vanilla. The flavor is sweet aged barley, sherry, vanilla, oak, and port wine. Toffee. The palate is warming, smooth, and moderately full bodied. Sampled this again. Liked it slightly better.

4.1
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 16/20
MIBRomeo (2105) - Wisconsin, USA - OCT 15, 2007
Dark black pour tan head nice lace Coccoa powder lt coffee tons of roast malt ltly hot alcohols Full well coated & creamy pal Sweet creamy milk chocolate lightly roast malts hints of alcohol Delicious

4.2
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 18/20
kp (9999) - Woodstock, Georgia, USA - SEP 1, 2007
Date: 06/24/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting

black with ruby edges, thin fine beige head, thin lace, rich sweet aroma of brown sugar and dark fruits, rich malt flavor, lots of ripe figs, lots of dark sugar sweetness,

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 8/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 18/20
Rating: 4.2/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4

4.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 10/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 19/20
JohnC (2846) - Mission Viejo, California, USA - JUL 7, 2007
A huge thanks to timmcd64 and cquiroga for letting me try this beer when we ran into each other at Lost Abbey. It pours nearly black with an offwhite head. The aroma is of bourbon and vanilla. The flavor is an explosion of chocolate, vanilla & bourbon, the mouthfeel is luscious and creamy. Incredible

4.4
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 16/20
mkobes (2120) - paramus, New Jersey, USA - JUL 2, 2007
#1700. 22 oz bottle had at Midnight Sun tasting. Deep dark brown in color with a little off white head. Chocolate, roasty caramel bourbon aroma. Roasty, caramel and woody vanilla flavor. Dark fruity notes. Plums, figs, and raisins. Bourbon was not overpowering. Very smooth and drinkable. Chocolaty finish. Complex beer. Smooth and creamy. Alcohol very well hidden. Very enjoyable. Wow. Well balanced.


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Rating Notecard:
Beer: Midnight Sun M Rating Avg: 4.22 No. of Ratings: 109
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