Monk’s Blood

Yep, that is the real name, Monk’s Blood! This is a newish limited release from 21st Amendment Brewery in San Fran. This dark Belgian-style ale is the perfect beer for lent. Not that I’m into lent, personally it is not part of my practice. However, Brothers Nicolas and O’Sullivan (21st Amendment founders Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan) developed the beer as an homage to the monks of Belgium’s monasteries who have been brewing some of the world’s great beer for centuries. “During times of fasting, the monks subsist solely on beer, which they refer to as ‘liquid bread,’” notes Brother O’Sullivan. “Beer, quite literally, is in their blood,” he adds. The most sublime of the monk’s premium brews is dark like blood, rich and nourishing. (according to Beer Advocate)

So what is this bloody beer anyway? Well, to start with, it kinda looks like blood. It is a brownish red colour like a blood stain that has been through the wash. This ale has little to no head, and no lacing (though I must admit I’m not sure my glass is “beer clean” tonight) The aroma is kinda like a rotten fruit, in a good way. Figs, some citrus and vanilla are in the aroma and the flavour. The yeast is very strong and present with only a slight bitterness from the hops. Well balanced and odd. So odd, I think I like it!

Many people are discussing this beer.  Most of all people are talking about cans versus brown bottles.  Honestly?  For beer, both are fine.  As long as they keep out the light, I don’t care much.  Now… if my ex is reading this she will rail me about the plastic in cans.  Yes, cans are lined with a plastic that is bad for you and the environment.  This is what keeps the cans from corroding and I’m sure it is not the best.  It is also the lining on your beer caps on bottles.  But, cans are much better at keeping air out so, I would assume, that the beer in cans might cellar longer?  Anyway, beer snobs move over, the geeks give cans the a-ok!  (as long as the beer in the can is high quality) Also, beer geek note: the canned beer, is brewed in Minnesota, not San Francisco.  Read all about it on Heavy Table. ★★★★★

The side of the box says,

“Legend has it that in the evenings, the monks would retire to their chambers & settle in with a few passages from the Good Book. But Brothers Nicolas and O’Sullivan [21st Amendment partners] had other plans. Working in the brewhouse all day, they were forced to repeat the same old recipes the elder monks had invented years before. They needed a little diversion. And found it in the cellar of the monastery with a fresh twist they put on the beer and the way they enjoyed it. Brother Nicolas (or Nico to his close friend) brought some hand-rolled cigars. O’Sullivan, the outspoken one, broke the vow of silence by spinning a remix of some Gregorian chants. Together, they’d throw down a couple nice hands of Texas Hold’Em and savor the handcrafted brew they created in secrecy. Everyday was good. Or so it seemed. But deep in his heart, Nico knew they were driving(?) into the ‘dark side’ of beer. Next thing you know they’d be skipping Lent. Then on night they’d face the Judgment for their actions with a hard knock at the door. Outside, the Abbots and elders would be holding stone in the air. A threat the brothers were sure would lead to the spilling of Monk’s Blood.”

Jon, I’m bringing you a can of this one tomorrow, this is one to keep in stock!