December 20 - Terrapin - Midnight Monk

Terrapin Beer Company - Midnight Monk

"Something good happens after midnight"

It's not quite midnight, actually not even close, but I figured that this beer sounded like it would definitely be interesting.  Let's face it, even though the label says so, there's no way I'm making it to midnight this evening after last night's festivities and today's shopping trips. 

Terrapin makes some solid beers that are definitely decent.  In their portfolio they have an Imperial Oatmeal Stout (Wake 'N' Bake), a chocolate peanut butter porter (Liquid Bliss), and 4 or so versions of various IPAs.  Out of the few I've had from this Athens, Georgia based brewery, they make pretty decent stuff!

Part of their Monster Beer Tour (all 4 look to be near or over the 10% ABV mark), this particular brew is a Belgian-style, black IPA.  I enjoy the IPAs, black IPAs too, and I can always indulge in a spicy Belgian whether it's a tripel or not. 

The pour for this beer was a dark, cola brown color with a thin, tan head that quickly dissipated to non-existent.  As for the aroma right out of the bottle, I would describe it as a Belgian and black IPA combination.  It's exactly as described!  There is a mild floral hop aroma along with some minimal Belgian spice notes and esters. 

An explosion of tastes hit you all at once during the first sip.  You get lots of hops, Belgian spice, and roasted malts with this beer.  There are notes of roasted coffee at the end of this beer along with another wave of hops galore to finish things up.  As the beer got warmer (look, at 9.8% this was a sipper), it had more of a black IPA than a Belgian profile.

If you'd make it until midnight to enjoy this beer, you'd probably not make it much past the end of the glass.  This is an ass-kicker if you're not expecting it!  As mentioned already, I won't be making it until midnight tonig....................................

4 out of 5 monks agree...this beer is good!