New Moon Ale
Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery

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From:
Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery
 
Maryland, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
Ranked #104
ABV:
8%
Score:
90
Ranked #12,233
Avg:
4.12 | pDev: 8.25%
Ratings:
15 | reviews: 6
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 12, 2021
Added:
Mar 04, 2003
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
A strong ale, unfiltered and medium bodied, with a floral hop aroma and malty, caramel flavor. We brew the New Moon Ale once a year and release this beer the day of the New Moon throughout the year.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.05 by Curt3 from Ohio

Aug 12, 2021
 
Rated: 4.5 by Andnkuhn from Virginia

Nov 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.69 by JCarson410 from Maryland

Aug 05, 2016
Photo of bubseymour
Reviewed by bubseymour from Maryland

4.8/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Had on cask at the pub. One of the best strong ales/ barley wines Ive ever had. Perfect balance of creamy malt sweetness a touch of hop bitterness, and overall greatness. Even some saltiness that added nicely. Only negative is body was a touch thin. A must have by any true big beer lover.
Mar 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.41 by JamieDuncan from Maryland

Apr 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by weezarc from Maryland

Feb 21, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by bigeyedfish89 from Maryland

Jan 06, 2015
Photo of Cylinsier
Reviewed by Cylinsier from Pennsylvania

3.97/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Cask

Pours clear amber with a quarter inch of eggshell head.

Smells of fruity hops, caramel, and biscuity malt.

Tastes of piney hops, apples, caramel and buttered biscuits.

Feel is slightly syrupy with velvety carbonation on the roof of the mouth.

Very nice strong ale with good flavor. Very well suited to the cask.
Apr 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by DrFunkenstein from Pennsylvania

Nov 27, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by GaryMarkle84 from Virginia

Aug 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by bootsandbeer from Maryland

Jun 30, 2012
Photo of Higravity
Reviewed by Higravity from Michigan

3.83/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This beer is brewed once a year, enough for 12 casks. One cask of the beer is then released each New Moon, hence the name, and is on until it is gone which is usually by the following weekend. I've had several itterartions of this beer and it definately gains something from aging in the oak casks. From the 9 month old cask it is a cloudy pale red with a firkin head. Smell is very phenolic and lots of "Belgian yeast" smell with a underlyingmalt and a stab of alcohol. It has a rather full taste and several things are competeing for attetion, but the oak is subtle and with all the powerful phenols this could have used some sugar to thin it out a bit. Decent mouthfeel and drinkable for about two beers. A fun thing to try several times throughout the year.
Sep 27, 2006
Photo of MuenchenerKindl
Reviewed by MuenchenerKindl from Germany

4.27/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On cask at the 10th anniversary party at the Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery.

Excellent time had by all.

This beer as I understand it sits in the cask un till a new moon then they break it out. After that they put it away until next new moon. So I was told.

The liquid server from the cask to a steamed glass is a nice caramel amber with excellent carbonation. A big 3 finger head settles to some lasting lace.

The smell was fresh hopy, some flowery notes with hints of citrus and fresh bread.

The taste is very good, floral and citrus hops & grainy bread make it very well balanced

The mouthfeel is good great carbonation and a nice medium body,

The drinkability was very high. First beer of the day did not last long at all. Very smooth and refreshing. Prosit. MK
Jul 29, 2006
Photo of claytri
Reviewed by claytri from Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I was able to taste this beer at the Maryland Brewers Oktoberfest. The beer poured a nice amber with a bit of tan head. The aroma was of floral hops. The taste was basically a nice hop burn primarily of a floral vent. The feel was medium and oily. It was a nice pleasant hoppy beer.
Oct 24, 2005
Photo of Hefe
Reviewed by Hefe from Oregon

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tasted from 8mo. aged cask at the Maryland Brewer's Octoberfest on 10/17/04.

This is brewed once a year, and enough is made so that they can tap a cask every new moon.

Appearance: Ruddy orange hue, with a rocky white head that wouldn't quit.

Smell: Spicy, slightly piney, good whack of citrus, and a malty sweetness rounds it out.

Taste: Strong and hoppy are my first impressions. My second is that for all it's strength this is really well balanced. Nice core of malt props up the hoppines and high abv. Touches of orange peel, pale malt,spruce. Dry bracing finish.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and bracing without sacrificing smoothness.

Drinkability: I could easily have several of these, until the abv puts me in my place that is.
Oct 18, 2004