Samuel Adams Grumpy Monk
Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)

Pours a clear medium amber producing 2 fingers of frothy, light tan, somewhat lasting head that recedes to a thin surface cap leaving a webby wash of lace. Aroma is mild Belgian funk with notes of dried & candied apple, caramel, clove, orange, grapefruit & hints of earth & pine. Taste is caramel; a medley of syrupy fruits: apple, peach & a tropical hint; earthy floral, faint orange & tangerine citrus & pine hop bitterness of moderate intensity, clove & a little peppery spice in the finish & aftertaste. Belgian funk & bready malt linger in the background. Mouthfeel is medium-heavy bodied, moderate carbonation, mouth coating & syrupy on the tongue, sticky & thick on the swallow, light prickliness in the finish & drying in the aftertaste.

 

 

 

 

 

Bottle to tulip, the appearance was a glossy copper sort of color with a finger's worth of white foamy head. Settled sporadically leaving messy lace.
The aroma had a grassy and citrusy hop contour over top of some rugged Belgian malts, some sweet pear/green apple, quaint tartness. Touch of yeast, coriander, and a little bit of earthiness.
The flavor was moderately sweet with a tickle of tartness educating an ample amount of glossy Belgian sugars all colliding in the aftertaste and moderately leaning into the finish.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Carbonation felt fine. ABV felt as projected.
Overall, Belgian IPA - yes, somewhat I think I get what SA is putting down for this one. It's enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

Copper to dark copper colored with an inch of densely packed creamy tan head comprised of tiny bubbles. I'm smelling a vegetal hop aroma combined with a candy sweet Belgian yeast strain. The flavor is a blend of vegetal hops and a very powerful candy sweet Belgian yeast strain that overwhelms the back of the palate. The mouth is moderately carbonated and very dry.