 Goldorak (424), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Jul 24, 2007
Sampled on-tap at Blue Tusk, Syracuse, NY.
Reddish copper colored brew, could have been a bit darker for the style but still fine. The head retention wasn’t that great, it died away to form a thin ring. It was served a bit cold.
Strange mix of smokey, spicy and acidic aromas that reminded me of those all dressed chips they sell here in Quebec, which made my friends chortle. Definately original. Did they use a Belgian yeast for this? Was it barrel aged? As it warmed, it developped more of a corky smell that I liked.
Carbonation in the low-to-mid range, the smokey flavors come more than anything else. No real sign of spicy yeast flavors, just a bit of acidity that didn’t quite make my mouth pucker. Woody, corky flavors are the only characteristics that make it seem like a Belgian ale to me. Not my favorite from this brewery, but interesting.
mgraider86 (1), Waterford, California, USA
does not count  Aug 20, 2008 Stayed one night at Fort Bragg, of coarse had to have some North Coast! Poured from tap and made my belly tingle with delite! My wife, who is a dedicated red wine drinker actually liked it! Alcohol content didn’t overpower this tasty brew!
otakuden (54), Vero Beach, Florida, USA
Aug 20, 2008 Brother Thelonious from North Coast Brewing comes in a standard Belgian-style corked 750ml bottle. He popped nice and easy with a loud pronunciation of his presence. A dark abbey ale, Thelonious poured a rich, cloudy earthen brown. Immediately I get lots of yeasty sweetness and sourdough in the nose. I can tell right away this is going to be a faithful American production of a traditional Belgian dark abbey ale. Immediately the sourdough and chewy yeast embraces my palate. A very thick weighty body as a dark abbey should be. I also get hints of raisin and a bit of maple sweetness within the sourdough and ripe banana yeasts. Thankfully, not much in the way of carbonation, though it does have a nice effervescence to the body. Just enjoyably smooth, yeasty, and pleasantly weighty as Thelonious warms, finishing with a faint hint of lemon rind lingering behind the yeast.
Definitely one of the better Belgian-style abbey ales from an American craft brewery, I would put Brother Thelonious up there with the fine beers of Ommegang. A fine addition to anyone’s fridge because we all need a little jazz and a little monk in our life. It does a body and soul good, after all.
BillKismet (1388), Seattle, Washington, USA
Aug 17, 2008 Lovely mahogany with firm cream top. Moderately hoppy aroma with easy malt and Belgian yeast influences. Similar flavor, with stronger presence of mildly phenolic Belgian yeast Well balanced so one would never guess that this approaches anything close to the stated 9%. Decent stuff, though I think it would benefit from aging.
NoiZe (875), Zeist, Netherlands
Aug 17, 2008 Tasted somewhere along my trip through the States.
Amber colored brew. Sweet, fruity aroma. Sweet flavor with some dark fruits, some hops.
ditmier (176), Boise, Idaho, USA
Aug 17, 2008 Tap at the Red Feather - Dark copper ale with a small off white head, aroma of spice, yeast and malt, this was a damn good brew...tons of coriander, clove, dry fruit, molassas malt...alcohol is ever present but in a way that complements the other senses, like you are glad it isn’t hidden too far away...incredible surprise, will be coming back for more...
|
