Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Grumpy Monk Belgian IPA
Belgian IPA
Massachusetts
6.5%
12oz, 6-Pack
$9.99
About a finger’s worth of fairly dense foam, good retention with only moderate dimpling, the lacing is pretty thick as well if of average stickiness. Deep bronzed color, as close to light brown as orange, huge amount of particulate floating throughout the liquid, the bubble beads are few but when present they are active, looks on the “serious” side on the whole. Grainy and herbaceous nose, to the point it cloaks the sweet spices, yeast and fruitiness, minor white citrus tones, as it warms turns more floral and allows for notes of banana and cherry. Medium-bodied, it is on the dry side which takes a good bit of fluffiness out of the otherwise soft carbonation. Peppery, cut grass, dried pine sap, more dried flowers than yeast, has a vinous quality from white grape accents, supplemented by cherry and apricot fruit, the banana remains muted. Manages to cling to your mouth pores well through the finish, extending its presence. There’s nothing actively wrong with this beer but little exciting about it and it does not possess an easy, seamless flow which would make it a candidate for simple pleasurable drinking.
2 out of 5