Cock & Bull Monk's Habit
Steam Brewing Company

Cocky and bull monks habit abby ale 7%... who filed this as Belgian pale? Why do those before me say this is a red? this seems to he a changing style? They told me this was an annual style beer.

Reviewed on my phone, so shortened and apologize for weird selling issues. Draft at the cock and bull in Auckland. Pours a beautiful dark amber color with a half finger of head. Nose meets me right away. Abby style? Wtf? This is an ipa bordering a double/imperial ipa. Nelson hops... Mmmm one of my favorites. This is what I was hoping to find in nz... in abundance. Strong citrus with a nice slightly hidden pale malt. Yum.
Taste is what the nose gives, yeah, this is an ipa. Strong nelson presence, nice malt balance, I wish they would turn it up a bit... at 10-12% this would be amazing. Slight to medium bitter finish. As it stands it is a really good regular ipa. The 7% is well hidden, but just seems like ut could be better. They should do a double abby, that would be amazi ng! Light to medium bodied, coats the throat a bit, but not too bad.

Who classified this as a Belgian Pale Ale? This is a classic example of an American Red, and an unashamedly good one.

Had on-tap at the Local Taphouse in Sydney at the Kiwi Spectapular. There, at least, it was classified appropriately.

Pours a deep reddish copper colour, with a very excellent head of off-white, creamy foam. Minimal lacing, and the body looks rather light, especially for the ABV, but otherwise pretty good.

Nose is crisp and sharp, with pleasant Kiwi hoppiness balanced by a creamy sweetness. Passionfruit comes through pleasantly and sharply, along with green aromas of crushed vegetation and silverbeet. Just lovely.

Taste is similar, but the malt gives it a tight backbone and vaults it beautifully into style. It's a lovely Red Ale. Depth and breadth from the malt, but a crisp bitterness with tropical and citrus overtones. Just gorgeous. They've absolutely nailed an American style, with New Zealand hops. That's an absolutely cracking combination.

Feel fits perfectly, and I'm loath to complain about the body any more. It sits full, but still bright and sharp.

Wow! What a top-notch beer. A winner, by any standards. This is beautifully balanced, and gorgeously intense. One of the very best on the day.

ed: It appears they themselves classify this as a Belgian Style, which is very, very odd to me. This is no Belgian ale.

The booklet at the Local's Kiwi Spectapular called this an American Red Ale, so...yeah. That's how I've reviewed it.

Pours a red-tinged amber. Head is dense, with wonderful retention. Lace is OK, but could be better. Not bad at all.

Lots of NZ hops on the nose. Passion, massive citrus, floral notes, sherbet, lemongrass and lemon zest. Damn fine.

Taste is malty, caramel on the front, some slightly sour notes with wet grain character. Touch of raising as well with mild, but distinct, hop notes up back. Citrus, pine, very fresh and pleasant. Yeah, great beer.

A bit thin on the feel, but so smooth, it just glides down the gullet.

Great red ale, great beer.