Oak Aged Monk's Mistress Dark Strong Ale
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Oak Aged Monk's Mistress Dark Strong AleOak Aged Monk's Mistress Dark Strong Ale
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
 
Alaska, United States
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
11.5%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.13 | pDev: 11.14%
Reviews:
32
Ratings:
59
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 14, 2017
Added:
Jul 04, 2005
Wants:
  56
Gots:
  6
This version of Monk’s Mistress - aged in American Oak Barrels - takes seduction to the next level. Its dark, daunting flavors become softer, rounder and more fascinating as they meld with toasted oak and its prior tenant. This temptation is beyond irresistible.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by westcoastbeerlvr:
Photo of westcoastbeerlvr
Rated by westcoastbeerlvr from California

4.5/5  rDev +9%

Nov 15, 2011
More User Ratings:
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The appearance is a muddy looking brown colored body with a good two finger white foamy head that dies about 30 seconds and leaves some thick lacing. The smell has some strong bourbon notes, but not overly done, as some light chocolate enters in and combines with some nice Belgian spices, even some vanilla comes in as it warms. The taste is sweet through the bourbon, chocolate and vanilla tones, the Belgian spices help to give it a slight kick but isn’t overly done just combines just right; mainly just some Bourbon along with the Belgian spices in the aftertaste, sweet sticky dry finish. The palate sits about a medium on the body that seems to be more of a sipper. Carbonation seems to be fairly good for the style as it turns out slightly smooth. Overall, this is a pretty good Belgian Strong Dark ale that I would have again.
Jul 14, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by rspauldi from Texas

Jun 14, 2016
Photo of JebBeerFish
Reviewed by JebBeerFish from New Hampshire

2.63/5  rDev -36.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Look - no head on gentle pour, very dark brown.

Nose - best part of this beer, sweet raisins, brown sugar.

Taste - very sweet plums, raisins in the back. Vestige of red wine.
First 4 ounces were ok, then balance undrinkable to due excessive sweetness.

Overall - way too sweet, unbalanced, dark wine sugar bomb.
Nov 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Malone47 from Illinois

Apr 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.2 by irishevans from California

Nov 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4.28 by Anaxagoris from Washington

Sep 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Smileitsfreetobehappy from Alaska

Sep 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by ArmedsouthernEr from Mississippi

Aug 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Tyecko from Minnesota

Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by tabhill from New York

Jul 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by HuskyinPDX from Washington

Jul 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by zestar from California

Jul 19, 2014
Photo of AgentMunky
Reviewed by AgentMunky from New York

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a footed glass at Ale Arsenal. From notes. Reviewed 2 November 2013.

A good beer, but a more fruity, less complex (milder) version of Monk's Mistress. Interestingly, it seems almost fresher than the normal version on-tap, mostly because it's softer and less sharp/spicy. I actually think I prefer the non-barrel aged version.
Nov 19, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by itracy63 from Washington

Nov 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by largadeer from California

Nov 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Gonzoillini from Illinois

Aug 24, 2013
Photo of oceanman907
Reviewed by oceanman907 from Texas

4.44/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Had at the Brewery off the Nitro Tap and in a MS Goblet

A- Wow... As with the nitro pour on this beer gives it a minimal but attractive creamy brown head, a perfect look for a rainy alaska day. As I drank it the beer yielded its typical dark brown black color that only shows light in the bottom of the glass.

S-Again this beer's scent has been improved though the bourbon aging, getting a stronger vanilla scent and an even stronger alcohol/ warming scent than the standard Monks, on top of the typical brown sugar, cinnamon, with the slightest hint of a warm biscuit lingering.

T- Well this is where the nitro really packs in the complexity. There is really too much going on here to describe, but the oak is strong on the front of the palate, intermingling with the warmth of the alcohol which is more noticeable than in the non-oaked version. More dark fruit, brown sugar, slight cinnamon bitterness/ spiciness, with that biscuit finish, more than that but what can I say really, the nitro almost does too much (but not really)

M-This is where the beer could improve, really too cloying and bready in the mouth, small sips are required, but it is a big nitro beer so really par for the course.

O- A really special and fantastic beer that has a lot going for it, so complex with a deep range of flavors that really give this oaked nitro version the regular Monk's a shot into that special dimension.
Aug 11, 2013
Photo of Kuaff
Reviewed by Kuaff from Alaska

4.47/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
I sure was excited to find this oak-aged version of one of my top favorite beers ever! As usual, cellar temperature into my snifter.

Like regular Monk's Mistress, it's a deep, dark murky brown that appears black if you're not holding it right up to some light. A one-finger beige head that's miniscule in comparison to the collossal cloud which crowns the non-oak-aged one.

It smells much like the standard version (you can see my review of that one for more details), but with an intense aroma of bourbon and vanilla that kind of blends with the original aroma to create a milky chocolate smell. Smells kind of earthy, and a raisin scent really jumps out too.

A very sweet vanilla and bourbon taste at first. This characteristic takes a prominent position in the profile. Some maple syrup too. The flavors of the original beer are still there (again, see that review), but just a bit buried. It definitely has more alcohol heat than the original, but the booze is still pretty well-masked.

As sweet as this beer is, it's fitting that the mouthfeel is syrupy and sticky, hehe. I think it's a little less carbonated than the original.

Well, it's a fantastic ale still, but to me, it just doesn't quite have the balance of the stadard version. However, the oak-aging is an interesting tweak to say the least, and it's still pretty delicious. If I'm ever in the mood for a heavy dose of bourbon and sweet vanilla in addition to the fabulous flavors of the magnificent Monk's Mistress, this version will certainly fit the bill.
Jul 16, 2013
Photo of TheCrowsNest
Reviewed by TheCrowsNest from California

4.63/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Dark reddish brown with a thin beige head. Fantastic aroma complexitites, it has this great biscuity character at first the leads into some nice Belgian phenols melded nicely with oak. The oak works so well with already fantastic quad, dark fruit, hints of spice.

Definitely worth seeking out.
Jun 16, 2013
Oak Aged Monk's Mistress Dark Strong Ale from Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 59 ratings