Staggering Monk
Walking Man Brewing Co.

 

A 10 oz. serving, poured at Bailey's Taproom. Enjoying a cool, overcast afternoon at one of the new sidewalk tables, watching the traffic pass on SW Broadway.

A: Luscious amber, leaning toward fiery orange. Transparent, showcasing plenty of small bubbles rising throughout the glass. Head is a creamy ivory, about one finger, with curtains of sticking lace. If color was darker, this earns a '5'.

S: Toasted malt and sweet pit fruit. Faint grassy hops, but certainly they are held in check - much moreso than I expected from the guys at Walking Man, usually purveyors of big Northwest hoppy brews An oddly butterscotch aroma in there, briefly.

T: Dark and malty, pleasantly fruity (cherry and blueberry). Spiced with a rooty dash of nutmeg. Doughy cinnamon roll and an earthiness like pumpkin. Strays afar from a usual Belgian Dark Ale.

M: Creamy medium body, alcohol peeks through a little.

D: For a strong ale with an alcohol content approaching 10%, this is surprisingly, well, approachable. Perhaps not a great example of a 'Belgian' (doesn't have the spicy yeastiness), but a well-made strong ale nonetheless. I'd have it again and love more than one at a sitting.