Grey Monday
The Bruery
- From:
- The Bruery
- California, United States
- Style:
- Imperial Pastry Stout
Ranked #54 - ABV:
- 19.9%
- Score:
- 100
Ranked #157 - Avg:
- 4.51 | pDev: 7.76%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 189
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 02, 2026
- Added:
- Oct 18, 2011
- Wants:
- 1,269
- Gots:
- 530
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class
Grey Monday is a special version of our Black Tuesday imperial stout that has been aged on hazelnuts.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Alieniloquium:
Reviewed by Alieniloquium from Florida
3.72/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.72/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
750 mL bottle poured into a snifter.
Appearance - Not quite black. Transparent at the edges. Deep brown but never black. No head.
Smell - Caramel. Lots of bourbon. Some oak but it's a mild barrel character. Tons of sugar.
Taste - Sweet, sugary, bourbon. Just a hint of hazelnut. Not the level of artificial coffee creamer, but a lot of hazelnut. Caramel and some roast, but not much. The more I drink it the more I like it.
Mouthfeel - A bucket of sugar. Sweetness is pretty overwhelming. Just like Black Tuesday.
Overall - It barely tastes like a stout, like Black Tuesday. Sugary but a good sugar.
May 21, 2013Appearance - Not quite black. Transparent at the edges. Deep brown but never black. No head.
Smell - Caramel. Lots of bourbon. Some oak but it's a mild barrel character. Tons of sugar.
Taste - Sweet, sugary, bourbon. Just a hint of hazelnut. Not the level of artificial coffee creamer, but a lot of hazelnut. Caramel and some roast, but not much. The more I drink it the more I like it.
Mouthfeel - A bucket of sugar. Sweetness is pretty overwhelming. Just like Black Tuesday.
Overall - It barely tastes like a stout, like Black Tuesday. Sugary but a good sugar.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Orca from Washington
4.57/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.57/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
750mL bottle into a tulip. Pours a slick oily black with zero head, minimal carbonation.
Aroma is rich and complex with notes of dark bitter chocolate, heavy roasted malt, smoky bourbon, vanilla, and toasted coconut. Roasted hazelnuts and dark stone fruits as it warms (and I picked up on the hazelnuts before seeing they were actuary of the recipe).
Taste follows nose. Dry bitter cocoa, sweet dark malt, oaky char/bourbon, and complementary flavors of vanilla and warm toasted coconut. All these flavors are blended and balanced together well.
Mouthfeel is on the heavy side of medium but not syrupy or cloying. About what one would expect from such a strong beer.
Overall this is an outstanding imperial stout that conceals its high ABV well.
Mar 02, 2026Aroma is rich and complex with notes of dark bitter chocolate, heavy roasted malt, smoky bourbon, vanilla, and toasted coconut. Roasted hazelnuts and dark stone fruits as it warms (and I picked up on the hazelnuts before seeing they were actuary of the recipe).
Taste follows nose. Dry bitter cocoa, sweet dark malt, oaky char/bourbon, and complementary flavors of vanilla and warm toasted coconut. All these flavors are blended and balanced together well.
Mouthfeel is on the heavy side of medium but not syrupy or cloying. About what one would expect from such a strong beer.
Overall this is an outstanding imperial stout that conceals its high ABV well.
Rated by Holderness from Massachusetts
4.18/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4.18/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
2017 vintage
Feb 07, 2026
Reviewed by Falcon91Wolvrn03 from California
4.22/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Look - Pour a dark black color with a decent head that disappears in about 30 seconds.
Smell - Bourbon ,malt, and brown sugar.
Taste - Bourbon, malt, and dark fruit.
Feel - Feels a bit hot to me at 20.3%ABV.
Overall - Lacked hazelnut flavor, which is fine, but also felt a bit hot to me.
Dec 16, 2025Smell - Bourbon ,malt, and brown sugar.
Taste - Bourbon, malt, and dark fruit.
Feel - Feels a bit hot to me at 20.3%ABV.
Overall - Lacked hazelnut flavor, which is fine, but also felt a bit hot to me.
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
4.66/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
4.66/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Black color, with a thin, beige head. Dark chocolate, roasted malt, hazelnut, and vanilla in the aroma. Rich, malty taste with roasted bitterness and warming alcohol at the end. Another masterpiece.
Jul 02, 2025
Reviewed by colts9016 from Idaho
4.71/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.71/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Review: 2200
Name: Grey Monday
Brewery: The Bruery
Location: Placentia, CA
Style: Double Barrel Imperial Barrel Aged Stout
ABV: 20.8%
Canned: 2019
Date: 12 Sept 2024
I have reached 2200 reviews/beers. I never thought I would get over 1000 reviews when I started this. I am looking forward to the next 100 until it comes time for 5000 reviews. For this milestone, I chose a behemoth, Grey Monday, from 2019. The name 'Grey Monday' is a nod to the intense, complex flavors of this beer, which make it a perfect choice for a contemplative, rainy day. I was using a tulip glass and served the beer at 50 degrees. The pour created a frothy, airy, one-fingered, light tan head with poor retention. The semi-quick retention left no lacing on the glass. The color is inky black and opaque, charting at SRM 38. This beer is beautiful; I am okay with the quick dissipation because of the 20.8 ABV.
Bringing the glass to my nose, I'm greeted by a symphony of aromas. The massive oak barrel, the intense bourbon, the nutty, and chocolate notes all dance together. Nosing the glass again, I pick up on the subtler hints of coffee, tobacco, char, earthy tones, alcohol, molasses, raisins, figs, caramel, toffee, Maillard, burnt sugar, nutty, vanilla, light char, and oranges. This beer is a sensory adventure, with each aroma adding a new layer to its complexity.
The first sip of Grey Monday is a revelation. The flavors burst forth, starting with a massive nuttiness that's a perfect blend of chocolate, coffee, bourbon, char, and oak. It's like a delicious nut butter mixed with fine chocolate, reminiscent of Nutella but with a sophisticated twist. As the beer's flavor develop on the palate toffee, caramel, molasses, char, tobacco, vanilla, and earthy notes. The double barrel created a huge complex depth to the beer with oak, bourbon, char, and caramel notes. This beer is a unique experience, a journey of flavors that keeps you returning for more.
I was expecting this chewy mouthfeel, but it was more than that. The beer coats your tongue and palate, leaving a rich, dense finish that warms you from the inside. The body is heavy and has medium carbonation, adding to the overall luxurious mouthfeel.
I am grateful that Grey Monday wasn't overly heavy and chewy, as I had expected. The beer's high ABV didn't make it too hot, and I loved the expressive nuttiness. The barrel aging was just right, not overpowering the other flavors. I'm not sure how they achieved this balance, where I'm not only sipping on wood. This is truly an enjoyable Stout, especially on a chilly, damp Idaho evening.
Sep 13, 2024Name: Grey Monday
Brewery: The Bruery
Location: Placentia, CA
Style: Double Barrel Imperial Barrel Aged Stout
ABV: 20.8%
Canned: 2019
Date: 12 Sept 2024
I have reached 2200 reviews/beers. I never thought I would get over 1000 reviews when I started this. I am looking forward to the next 100 until it comes time for 5000 reviews. For this milestone, I chose a behemoth, Grey Monday, from 2019. The name 'Grey Monday' is a nod to the intense, complex flavors of this beer, which make it a perfect choice for a contemplative, rainy day. I was using a tulip glass and served the beer at 50 degrees. The pour created a frothy, airy, one-fingered, light tan head with poor retention. The semi-quick retention left no lacing on the glass. The color is inky black and opaque, charting at SRM 38. This beer is beautiful; I am okay with the quick dissipation because of the 20.8 ABV.
Bringing the glass to my nose, I'm greeted by a symphony of aromas. The massive oak barrel, the intense bourbon, the nutty, and chocolate notes all dance together. Nosing the glass again, I pick up on the subtler hints of coffee, tobacco, char, earthy tones, alcohol, molasses, raisins, figs, caramel, toffee, Maillard, burnt sugar, nutty, vanilla, light char, and oranges. This beer is a sensory adventure, with each aroma adding a new layer to its complexity.
The first sip of Grey Monday is a revelation. The flavors burst forth, starting with a massive nuttiness that's a perfect blend of chocolate, coffee, bourbon, char, and oak. It's like a delicious nut butter mixed with fine chocolate, reminiscent of Nutella but with a sophisticated twist. As the beer's flavor develop on the palate toffee, caramel, molasses, char, tobacco, vanilla, and earthy notes. The double barrel created a huge complex depth to the beer with oak, bourbon, char, and caramel notes. This beer is a unique experience, a journey of flavors that keeps you returning for more.
I was expecting this chewy mouthfeel, but it was more than that. The beer coats your tongue and palate, leaving a rich, dense finish that warms you from the inside. The body is heavy and has medium carbonation, adding to the overall luxurious mouthfeel.
I am grateful that Grey Monday wasn't overly heavy and chewy, as I had expected. The beer's high ABV didn't make it too hot, and I loved the expressive nuttiness. The barrel aging was just right, not overpowering the other flavors. I'm not sure how they achieved this balance, where I'm not only sipping on wood. This is truly an enjoyable Stout, especially on a chilly, damp Idaho evening.
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.29/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.29/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle into a snifter. Bottled 5/7/21, had 6/22/24.
Pours near black and opaque, with a brief head and no lacing. Aromas of roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, oak, some bourbon, some hazelnut when warmed. Flavors of bourbon- strong as it warms, roasted malt, chocolate, some oak, some hazelnut, light vanilla. Smooth, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.
The Black Tuesday base is great. The hazelnuts show, but not as expected/desired. Maybe they’ve faded from age, but maybe not. Still, it’s pretty solid overall, and very enjoyable.
RFOB2018 0425
Sep 09, 2024Pours near black and opaque, with a brief head and no lacing. Aromas of roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, oak, some bourbon, some hazelnut when warmed. Flavors of bourbon- strong as it warms, roasted malt, chocolate, some oak, some hazelnut, light vanilla. Smooth, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.
The Black Tuesday base is great. The hazelnuts show, but not as expected/desired. Maybe they’ve faded from age, but maybe not. Still, it’s pretty solid overall, and very enjoyable.
RFOB2018 0425
Reviewed by snaotheus from Washington
3.96/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev -12.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2024-08-04
750ml capped/waxed bottle served in a small Hoppin' Frog snulip. 2018 Edition, handed to me by @2beerdogs.
Pours dark brown, not as dark as I expected, nearly still, basically no head. Smell is mild alcohol up front, tons of chocolate, some coffee and vanilla.
Taste is not as boozy as I was afraid, though definitely boozy. I get vanilla and spice before chocolate and plums. Label says hazelnut, but I think that specific flavor is either lost to time or drowned out by the booze, vanilla, and char.
Mouthfeel is lighter than expected, only medium bodied, and has a bit of a dry texture which really surprises me. Overall, this is interesting and good, and will be very interesting as it warms up over the next couple hours while I sip on it.
Aug 04, 2024750ml capped/waxed bottle served in a small Hoppin' Frog snulip. 2018 Edition, handed to me by @2beerdogs.
Pours dark brown, not as dark as I expected, nearly still, basically no head. Smell is mild alcohol up front, tons of chocolate, some coffee and vanilla.
Taste is not as boozy as I was afraid, though definitely boozy. I get vanilla and spice before chocolate and plums. Label says hazelnut, but I think that specific flavor is either lost to time or drowned out by the booze, vanilla, and char.
Mouthfeel is lighter than expected, only medium bodied, and has a bit of a dry texture which really surprises me. Overall, this is interesting and good, and will be very interesting as it warms up over the next couple hours while I sip on it.
Reviewed by sjrider from California
4.31/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle pour - dark as night with short, quickly dissipating khaki head leaving a ring of tiny bubbles. Nose is sweet with cocoa and molasses, boozy barrel wood and hints of nuts. Taste follows more or less, definitely getting alcohol creep that lingers on the finish. A cold weather sipper.
Dec 24, 2023
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
4.31/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
2021 vintage
I’m an absolute sucker for hazelnuts in a Stout, and when I see that The Bruery has one, it’s an instant buy. Plus it’s also another top 250 list tick. This is a big ass bottle that I’ll likely be attacking all night so let’s stop wasting time and get right into it
Pours a very dark brown with 2 fingers of light tan head that quickly fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing
Right off the jump, there isn’t much hazelnut present in the nose, but it’s still interesting nonetheless. I’m picking up on aromas of molasses, earthy bourbon, peat smoke, sea salt, cocoa powder, toasted hazelnut, dry oak, light vanilla, and raisin
The hazelnuts definitely express a bit more in taste, though they still aren’t exactly at the forefront. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting cocoa powder, earthy bourbon, toasted hazelnut, toasted oak, black cherry, burnt caramel, vanilla, sea salt, and smoky tobacco. The swallow brings notes of dark chocolate, earthy bourbon, toasted hazelnut, sea salt, peat smoke, sea salt, molasses, dry oak, burnt caramel, and light vanilla
A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes mostly dry and drinks significantly below its abv. Like literally less than half and that’s easily the most impressive part of this one
I struggle with this one. It’s definitely not top 250 material, and the adjunct isn’t really the star, but on the other hand it’s (dangerously) drinkable and pretty unique. Worth a shot for sure
Jul 05, 2023I’m an absolute sucker for hazelnuts in a Stout, and when I see that The Bruery has one, it’s an instant buy. Plus it’s also another top 250 list tick. This is a big ass bottle that I’ll likely be attacking all night so let’s stop wasting time and get right into it
Pours a very dark brown with 2 fingers of light tan head that quickly fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing
Right off the jump, there isn’t much hazelnut present in the nose, but it’s still interesting nonetheless. I’m picking up on aromas of molasses, earthy bourbon, peat smoke, sea salt, cocoa powder, toasted hazelnut, dry oak, light vanilla, and raisin
The hazelnuts definitely express a bit more in taste, though they still aren’t exactly at the forefront. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting cocoa powder, earthy bourbon, toasted hazelnut, toasted oak, black cherry, burnt caramel, vanilla, sea salt, and smoky tobacco. The swallow brings notes of dark chocolate, earthy bourbon, toasted hazelnut, sea salt, peat smoke, sea salt, molasses, dry oak, burnt caramel, and light vanilla
A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes mostly dry and drinks significantly below its abv. Like literally less than half and that’s easily the most impressive part of this one
I struggle with this one. It’s definitely not top 250 material, and the adjunct isn’t really the star, but on the other hand it’s (dangerously) drinkable and pretty unique. Worth a shot for sure
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