Monsters' Park - Spanish Brandy Barrel-Aged - Figs And Cocoa Nibs
Modern Times Beer
- From:
- Modern Times Beer
- California, United States
- Style:
- Imperial Pastry Stout
- ABV:
- 13.3%
- Score:
- 94
- Avg:
- 4.38 | pDev: 5.02%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 4
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Dec 11, 2022
- Added:
- Apr 25, 2017
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 6
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding
This is Monsters' Park, our hulking, cantankerous imperial stout, aged in Spanish brandy barrels, which begin their life as sherry casks. We loaded this batch with figs and cocoa nibs, which combine with the fruit-forward character of the barrels in a miraculous fireworks display of delicious complexity, pushing the massive, roast character of Monsters Park into a hitherto unexplored frontier of comestible pleasure. Let this beer warm up to 50 degrees before you drink it. Seriously you'll thank us.
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Reviewed by maximum12 from Minnesota
4/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Another old 22 oz. MT bottle split with my wife. I’ve reviewed the winners & not the losers so, well, I’ll bet you can figure it out.
Dark black & whatever carbonation still exists must lurk deep beneath the surface. The nose is boozy brandy & boozy chocolate. I have no problem with either.
Monster’s Park – Spanish Brandy Barrels retains an edge well into middle age. The brandy packs both a taste & booze wallop up front & right down through the gullet. Heavy char that almost hits smoke show (AOC college style), gentle chocolate covered cherries, with only a Caspar echo of raisin/figs (& that’s enough for me). Difficult to sip & easy to gulp. That can’t be good.
Cannot taste the age on this at all, still bright & welcoming. A very good beer straddling the border of excellent.
Jun 10, 2021Dark black & whatever carbonation still exists must lurk deep beneath the surface. The nose is boozy brandy & boozy chocolate. I have no problem with either.
Monster’s Park – Spanish Brandy Barrels retains an edge well into middle age. The brandy packs both a taste & booze wallop up front & right down through the gullet. Heavy char that almost hits smoke show (AOC college style), gentle chocolate covered cherries, with only a Caspar echo of raisin/figs (& that’s enough for me). Difficult to sip & easy to gulp. That can’t be good.
Cannot taste the age on this at all, still bright & welcoming. A very good beer straddling the border of excellent.
Reviewed by Lucnifter from California
4.71/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.71/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
One of the best beers I've ever tasted. Bar none. The figs, cacao, oak, and brandy come through in exceptional fashion. Not absurdly sweet like most imperial stouts these days! Get off my lawn!!!
Jan 31, 2019
Reviewed by FriedSlug from North Carolina
4.4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark thick and syrupy with a short brown head. The nose is filled with chocolate, vanilla, oak, brandy and dark fruits. Tastes very sweet with the chocolate and brandy dominating the flavor. Also has a lot of sweetness, some oak, vanilla, figs and a bit of boozy heat. Pretty great beer.
Jan 19, 2019
Reviewed by Slack from Virginia
4.55/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.55/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Black to deep brown in color with no head or lacing.
Nose is cocoa, sweet figs, dark fruit, minor barrel, and of course brandy.
Taste is brandy, sweet figs, dark fruit, cocoa (stronger when it colder), black coffee, barrel, a sherry note as it comes to room temp, and a bit of smoke/char.
Mouthful is on the lighter side of heavy and nearly smooth with just a minor bit of agression. Carbonation is low. Finish is semi sweet.
When Modern Times is on, it rocks and when they are off, it is a drain pour. This beer is of the former. The elements are very nicely balanced with a solid brandy backbone nuanced by sweet dark fruit, unsweetened cocoa, and the barrel. About the only negative here is the mouthful being not nearly as smooth as it could be (MP Nola coffee is an excellent example of smoothness). Very drinkable (at 13.3%) and very shareable. Highly recommended.
May 06, 2017Nose is cocoa, sweet figs, dark fruit, minor barrel, and of course brandy.
Taste is brandy, sweet figs, dark fruit, cocoa (stronger when it colder), black coffee, barrel, a sherry note as it comes to room temp, and a bit of smoke/char.
Mouthful is on the lighter side of heavy and nearly smooth with just a minor bit of agression. Carbonation is low. Finish is semi sweet.
When Modern Times is on, it rocks and when they are off, it is a drain pour. This beer is of the former. The elements are very nicely balanced with a solid brandy backbone nuanced by sweet dark fruit, unsweetened cocoa, and the barrel. About the only negative here is the mouthful being not nearly as smooth as it could be (MP Nola coffee is an excellent example of smoothness). Very drinkable (at 13.3%) and very shareable. Highly recommended.
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