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Midnight Sun M

 (RETIRED)
Midnight Sun M - Barley Wine

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 Percentile 
100
overall
Formerly brewed at Midnight Sun Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine

Anchorage, Alaska USA

bottling
unknown

on tap
unknown

distribution
unknown

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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in 
944.27/5.04.18/5.0Special11.6%99.7Snifter
View Statistics  P 

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.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 Hairofthedog (419), San Diego, California, USA
4.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/510/105/520/20
Oct 9, 2005  
The aroma had a slight alcohol ester with dark fruit, plums, raisins, roast, malts, and a slight oakiness. The beer poured a deep brown color w/ red hues; almost no head and slight lacing. The flavor had apples, plums, raisins, dark fruit, and oak. The mouthfeel was creamy and well-rounded w/ a full bodied. This beer was absolutely fantastic.... Thanks Darkelf!


 badbeer (432), Iowa, USA
4.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/510/105/520/20
Jun 14, 2009  
I want to start out with a huge thank you to hoppymeal for trading his only other bottle of M! Looks black or very dark brown from a distance, but when held to light has some very dark red colors to it. Excellent clarity on the beer. The head is tan colored and hangs around well leaving a decent lacing. Aroma jumps out of the glass with burnt sugar, molasses, sour cherries, mint, rum, bourbon, oak, plum, raisins, and Christmas cookies. Intense and complex smell, but everything smells so delicious. Taste is full of brown sugar, molasses, huge amount of caramel, cherries, bourbon, and vanilla. Mouthfeel is full, but so damn smooth, not cloying at all. Low carbonation and full body cause this to slide over the tongue delivering deliciousness to every taste bud possible. A beautiful beer to drink, I could sip on this beer all day, but sadly I don’t ever think I’ll see a bottle again. As much as I had built this beer up in my mind after finding out everything I could about it, I didn’t think it would be able to live up to what I believed it to be. Somehow, M knew my expectations and instead of breaking under the pressure, it stood strongly and proudly saying take it or leave it. Take it, I will. Simply M-mazing!


 tupalev (2605), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
4.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/510/105/520/20
Jun 26, 2006  
That’s quite a story on the bottle. Generously shared by Blankboy with Hogtown Harry and myself. Pitch black, small tight beige head, looks fantastic. Slightly sour, roast aroma - an interesting combo that works - tons of roast, malt, and chocolate. Wow, what a silky mouthfeel - this is as good as a beer can "feel" in your mouth. Where to start with flavour? Sour tart fruit, tons of chocolate, icing sugar, leather, oil, alcohol, vanilla, and lots of bourbon that never dominates. One of the most stunning beers I have ever had. So balanced, alcohol kept in check. Complex! Drinkable! Thanks for sharing Paul!


 TURDFERGUSON (1594), Carrboro, North Carolina, USA
4.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/510/105/519/20
May 26, 2008  
Holy shit. I can’t believe Tom brought this to the gathering. Pours dark brown with a small bubbled head. Nose is rich with brown sugar, caramel, belgian yeast, spices, toffee. Its sweet, without being the least bit cloying. Its rich, oaky and vinous, without being too tannic. Mouthfeel is full, silky and smooth. This is easily the most drinkable barleywines I have ever had. And one of the best beers too. Chewy and smooth. Now I know why so many people want this beer. Thanks so much for sharing Tom!!


 yobdoog (1425), Woodridge NY, New York, USA
4.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/510/105/519/20
Sep 8, 2009  
Consumed August 29, 2009. To date this has to be the most amazing beer I have ever had. The hype surrounding this beer is not what even made it, the beer is actually ridiculously good and so original and complex. Dark rich brown color with no head. Pours so thick and rich and just looks smooth. Aroma has chocolate, cream, molasses, cake and some rich dark candied fruit. Flavor is really complex. Rich dark chocolate and sundae syrup. Some alcohol warms you right up but isn’t overpowering at all. Some fruit jam and lots of sweetness finish this off. Awesome!


 Rciesla (3500), Exit 15W, New Jersey, USA
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/59/105/519/20
May 6, 2008  
Thanks to BrianK for sharing this on the 3 year anniversary of its release, 5/5/08. Bottle. Pours dark ruby brown. Little to no head. Aromatic character is dark fruit plum, fig, chocolate, candy sugar. Mouthfeel is smooth and thick. sweet plumy, chocolate, and refreshing from etoh. Chewy, very chewy mouth coating leaves you wanting more quickly. Wow tobacco, bourbon in the finish, i want more again. WOW!


StoutCat (81), Rockville, Maryland, USA
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/105/58/105/519/20
Jul 6, 2008  
Dark brown, white-cream colored very thin head. sweet molasses aroma with alcohol bite. Flavors of caramel and vanilla, very smooth and sweet.


 shadey (1496), Rochester, New York, USA
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/510/105/520/20
May 18, 2006    Updated: May 7, 2008
Dark dark brown color with swirls of cream laced across the top of the beer. Aroma is beautifuly rich and malty, chocolate and fruit, candi and alcohol. The body is spectacular, smooth, sticky and coating. This is just an exciting beer.



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