Old Ale
Monnik Beer Co.

 

Taster at brewery. Brown, cloudy, thin skin of beige head. Savory, malty aroma, woody. Taste starts sweet and stays sweet throughout with minor savory, spicy notes. Warm at the finish.

 

Strong, smooth and unapologetically surly, the robust maltiness of old ale takes keen notes from the British strong ale additions and adapts it to the Germanic neighborhood of Louisville for a savory, sweet and effortless taste that'll take much longer than you think.

Deep burgundy and nearly opaque, the beer's light coffee-like froth allows for tawny golden shoulders to appear. Brown sugar and molasses wrap around a rummy spice while dark fruits of plum, blackberry, fig and date seem fruit cake-like. Its taste picks up on those seared sweetnesses of molasses and brown sugar along with the cakey richness of spice cake.

As the ale seeps deeply into the tastebuds, a plethora of culinary action takes place. Dark sugars smoothen into aspects of earthy coffee and cocoa with a burnt pecan edge. Prune, raisin, date and fig march on, bringing a hint of maraschino cherry and stewed apples into a brandy-like finish. Spicy with peppery warmth and the broad woodsiness of hops have a glimpse of fresh pulled tobacco and leather.

Full, sweet and near cloying, the slow sipping ale is deliberate and complex. Its bready-sweet textures roll onto the finish with dark fruit, spiced rum and hints of fortified wines. A long aftertaste of spice cake and brandy continues to develop well into the next sip.