Moncks Corner Abbey Ale
River Rat Brewery

 

 

 

 

Poured from a 12 OZ can into a tulip glass . The appearance is a clear reddish brown with a small white head. The aroma is raisins. The taste is mild figs and raisins. nice Dubbel.

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a clear lovely deep dark ruby. Normal head volume, lacing and retention.

Outstanding classic Belgian nose. Rich dark fruit notes (plum, raisin) over a cast of lighter notes (pear, apple, Belgian yeast, caramel) and a hint of spice that seems to be cinnamon.

Medium body with a smooth texture that has creamy notes. Superb carbonation with a nice effervescent middle and prickly rush in the finish.

The outstanding flavor profile is intense, very complex and very well balanced. It begins with the fruit flavors of the nose with the lighter variants flowing into the heavier, darker flavors. By the middle, prune is quite evident and is balanced by a slight bitterness and caramel sweetness. The finish is slightly phenolic and leaves you with a subtle lingering tannic bitterness.

 

 

 

The historic taste of the Belgian abbey evokes inspiration in South Carolina. But the classic fruit, spice and steely sweetness isn't enough. The River Rat brewery slather on the taste of the South with an unmistakable bourbon overlay.

Beyond its tawny crimson hues, the ale layers gently into the glass and exudes decadence with caramel, toffee and the sweetness of port. Its lavishly silk textures lay on the tastebuds like a mild barleywine rather than with the common effervescence of abbey ale.

But that low-lying bubbliness allow the flavors to fully saturate the middle palate where the fruit of berry, cherry, peach, apple and plum mingle with the spiciness of peppercorn, light clove, a pep of cinnamon and soft oaken tannins. With the simmering rise of vanilla and coconut, the flavors of bourbon awaken in taste but not in burn.

Its savory finish prefers a sweeter and more rounded character than the dubbel ale of Belgium, but is warm and spicy finish is woven tightly inside the malt and barrel. In its overall profile, a mild English barleywine taste is front and center, but with the yeasty complexities of dubbel.

 

12 oz bottle poured dark red-brown, clear with a short-lived bone head. Minimal lacing.

The Trappist yeast shines in both the nose and the flavor. The aroma, in fact, is about on par with a good Belgian dubbel. The flavor, however, falls a bit short of this mark due to a lower level of complexity and depth. Mildly sweet with some Belgian candi showing. Dark and ripe soft fruits in the aroma.

Medium body; light carbonation; smooth.

O: true to style and well done.