Merry Monks' Ale is a Belgian style Abby Trippel without limitation. This style was created by Trappist Monks in Belgium over 500 years ago. To be true to the style, Merry Monks' Ale is bottle conditioned. This means we add a bit of sugar and yeast just prior to bottling. This imparts a special effervescence to the beer, a creamier carbonation, and also extends the shelf life. The on-going fermentation inside the bottle will change the character of the beer as it ages, and you'll find it becomes dryer with age. You may want to lay down a few bottles for future evaluation. We suggest storing at cellar temperatures -around 55 degrees F- and away from light.
When you try this beer you're in for a unique treat. The special effervescence and creaminess are immediately apparent when pouring. The Pilsner malts combined with the Belgian yeast strains yield a remarkable and complex flavor- perhaps you'll note subtle hints of fruit or spice. The flavor is nicely balanced and the finish moderate to dry , begging for the next sip.
You might ask why we go through all this trouble and expense for just a beer, but one taste and you'll know the Merry Monks' Ale (9.3% ABV) will more than complement any meal it accompanies. Enjoyed best around 48 degrees F, it also makes a fine after-dinner drink.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by RJA from Palm Springs, FL, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (9/7/2008 4:50:35 PM)
"Here’s another fine beer from Weyerbacher. A cloudy yellow colored ale with tints of orange. A mederate hefty frothy white head. It does mot, though unfortunately have much hang time. A medium body with some smoothness making this a very drinkable beer. Smells like a white wine with hints of banana. The sweetness of the malt, those bananas and other fruits like apples and pears are all to evident in the taste. "
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.67 Unit Cost: $2.23 per Pint
[2] Review by changeup45 from Orlando, Florida, USA who has tried this beer once. (8/23/2008 11:18:53 PM)
"I went through a few phases while drinking this beer. I didn't like it at first then it seemed to grow on me a bit and in the end it was a decent drink. Pours a clear orange color with a white head that quickly settles to thin patches. Not bad looking but definitely didn't have that Belgian staying power. Very acidic and tart tasting with banana, oranges, yeast and some spices. Light numbing bitterness in the finish with some dry tart apples. There's stuff going on here but it seems a bit thin and the flavors a little out of place. It got better as it warmed. This isn't Belgian good but I didn't think it would be and is a nice attempt by Weyerbacher. "
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
5/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
6/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.1)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.99 Unit Cost: $2.65 per Pint
[3] Review by Phishpond417 from Madtown, Wisc, USA who has tried this beer once. (2/17/2008 12:50:40 PM)
"Pours an attractive cloudy orange colour with a fairly large white head. Aroma is sweet and enticing, almost nectary- honey, maple syrup and candy. Mouthfeel is full and well carbonated, with semi sweet, acidic wheat taste all the way through. Nice beer!"
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.7)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $1.89 Unit Cost: $2.52 per Pint
[4] Review by Th3B33RM@n from Hampton, VA, USA who has tried this beer once. (10/31/2007 7:27:18 AM)
"Pours a beautiful clear golden with short lived white lacy head. Aroma is a wonderful mixture of pears and apples winding its way to a clean flavor with a hint of hop bitterness to keep things in check.
"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $3.25 Unit Cost: $4.33 per Pint
[5] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (9/1/2007 12:06:40 PM)
"Sampled August 2006
Pours with a hazy, orangish tinged, amber color and is topped by an initially two finger thick, light tan colored head that is fairly quick to disappear. As I pour this a characteristic earthy spiciness catches my nose. It makes me wonder if they used a Chimay derived yeast strain. As I go in deeper the earthy sort of spiciness still dominates; a sort of spicy yet earthy coriander note is joined by a soft pear like fruitiness, notes of dusty white pepper, some touches of citrus-like navel orange and lemon peel. The orange peel note seems to combine with a couple of other aromatic notes to form just a touch of orange-cream notes. I would even go so far as to say that this beer smells a touch tart. Quite the complex aromas waft from this glass, this is certainly a plus, but they don't quite seem to mesh in the most harmonious of manners. This seems to be the problem with many beers made with this yeast strain.
The beer is quite a bit drier than I was expecting. In fact it actually does have a light tartness to it that almost seems like lactic acid. It is not so pronounced that I am sure that it is not just the yeast. Whatever, the tartness actually adds to the complexity and balance of this brew. That same earthy-spiciness that is in the aroma is here in the flavor, but it is actually balanced out quite a bit by the subtle sour notes. Flavors that pop into my head as I contemplate this brew; Notes of lemon, a bit of chalk, some green apple notes, perhaps a touch of celery root (that might be a stretch, but there is something here I am trying to describe), some star fruit, and even a touch of kiwi fruit. The finish has a hint of phenolic notes and hot higher alcohols character that almost serve the same function as hop bitterness. Both of these components are subtle enough to only add to the overall experience. This beer is quite drinkable, and surprisingly dry, I was expecting something much sweeter than this. "
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
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(3.4)
