North Coast: Brother Thelonious

Another small bottle (12oz), another bottle opener, and it's back across the pond (and the North Sea) to North America in Northern California: North Coast Brewing from Fort Bragg. They also make the glorious Rasputin, which if you have not, have it! Dare I say it's the best stout out there? Can't, that's for another blog.

It's named Brother Thelonious, who as we all know was a Monk, and it is advertised as a "belgian style abbey ale". It weighs in at 9.4% alcohol.

The pour produces very little head, and the fluid is dark, a burnt umber that gives way to hints of red when held against the light. The nose is very heavy, syrupy. I am having flashbacks to Chimay Grande Reserve. It smells spicy, like coriander, and sweet, with only a hint of alcohol.

It is like a big Chimay Blue, believe it or not. It is like drinking a cold, thinned out bread pudding that is warming once it hits your stomach. It is malty and so sugary and thick.

I mean it is good. But it may be too sweet even in a 12 ozer. If I can say this without being disrespectful, I think this would be a great beer for dessert after a long night of drinking, where you can just sip it slowly, and then fall asleep; when you can sleep in in the morning and head down to Pine State Biscuits for a Reggie Deluxe and a few cups of coffee. (Which I am not tonight)

1. TJs

2. Damnation

3. Chimay

4. Orval

5. North Coast's Brother Thelonious