Sunday Night Suds - Brooklyn Monster Ale

This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Brooklyn Brewery's Monster Ale.

So what is a monster ale? No, to borrow a line from the Addams Family movie (circa 1991) it is not a beer brewed with real monsters. It is a very strong beer (alcohol 10.8% abv) brewed by Brooklyn Brewery in the English Barleywine style.

As defined by the good folks at BA, an English Barleywine is:

Lively and fruity, sometimes sweet, sometimes bittersweet, but always alcoholic. A brew of this strength and complexity can be a challenge to the palate. Expect anything from an amber to dark brown colored beer, with aromas ranging from intense fruits to intense hops. Body is typically thick, alcohol will definitely be perceived, and flavors can range from dominant fruits to palate smacking, resiny hops.

English varieties are quite different from the American efforts, what sets them apart is usually the American versions are insanely hopped to make for a more bitter and hop flavored brew, typically using American high alpha oil hops. English version tend to be more rounded and balanced between malt and hops, with a slightly lower alcohol content, though this is not always the case.

The Brooklyn Monster Ale is amber in color and has a good amount of froth which was retained in my glass for quite some time. The beer was thick with a taste of some fruit which barely was able to mask some of the alcohol flavor. Although Brooklyn call this an ale, I did not taste the hops at all.

What would I pair this beer with? I think that it would go well with fish, or even fruit. Yes, I know that it might sound odd, but think a very strong chardonnay and then try to pair it in your mind with grapes or pineapple or even peaches.

Of course you could just drink this on its own...

Brooklyn Monster Ale is under the Kosher Supervision of the Vaad of Detroit as are all beers brewed by Brooklyn in 12 oz bottles only. I am unaware of any large (magnum size) bottle of Brooklyn beer which are under kosher supervision.

For the experts' take on the Monster Ale please click here http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45/2231.

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver.If you've tried this beer or any others which have been reviewed on the kosher beers site, please feel free to post your comments (anonymous comments are acceptable).

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