Inlet Brewing Co.’s Monk in the Trunk Organic Amber Ale – Thumbs Way UP!!

I thought I was out of beer (sadface, since over the last 3 weeks with my bro visiting we have become accustomed to copious amounts of alcohol), then I found this last beer in the crisper drawer.  I was so excited, even more-so when I opened it to taste a flavor similar to what I had been craving.  Monk in the Trunk is a medium beer that is surprisingly heavy and flavorful.  It has a sweeter hint to it, and feels soft and smooth on the tongue.  It reminds me a tiny bit of Southern Tier’s Cremem Brulee Stout (what I had been craving) in it’s texture and sweetness.  It’s nowhere near as dark, but just as flavorful.  It pours really smooth with a moderate amount of foam that takes a while to dissipate.

It’s got a 5.5% abv, and looks like the only beer they brew (I didn’t look too hard, but didn’t find anything else on their site). It looks to only be available in Florida (brewed in Jupiter, which is all of an hour and a half away from here)… Sorry folks, you are missing out if you don’t live around here.  This beer is totally worth it if you like nutty, malty goodness.  I’m not sure how much the organic ingredients play into the flavor, but I am totally in love.  If you can reqest it near you, I suggest you do! (heck, even Lisa gives this a thumbs up!) I think this beer may become a staple of the household…

beer party short reviews – a little bit of everything…

My bro is down from the cold north. Elementary/high school friends are over with copious amounts of beer and pizza and other fun shenanigans. We purchased 2 mix-and-match 6-packs, a few complete 6-packs, and about 4 special brew bottles. We are in the process of going through almost all of it in a matter of hours. Please excuse the quality of the reviews. I will do my best to come back tomorrow and up the quality of this post. These are really just notes taken while drinking for several hours, but I still wanted to have a record of what we had and what we all thought.

bells brewery –  third coast old ale – spicy, bitter. medium. 10.2% – bit sharp on the tongue when colder. smoother as it warms up.  hoppy, barley? woody? yummy

bell’s brewery – smitten golden rye – smooth, grapefruit-ish, golden. 6.0% lighter beer, easy to drink, but not amazing. yummy summer beer.

Sixpoint – Resin.  light amber, cloudy, slight head.  “IPA roots, but more of a lager” definite grapefruit. “sessionable” according to Ryan. 9.1%. very summery.

dogfish head – festina peche – peach champagne style… more like just peach sparkling drink.  not overly sweet, but very peachy.  “Champale” (Andy) – really good, but don’t expect beer. 4.5% – malt beverage. Really yummy! I would drink more of this.  Not too dry.

cigar city brewing – tocobaga red ale – spicy, grapefruit (again!) “fish tank water with grapefruit and beer, but good” – Andy.  7.2% something else, but not sure what. Spices of some sort. Sharp, but still good.

 Bell’s Amber ale – 5.8% abv. Beer – like. Medium Amber in color. Good head. Smells a bit fruity (citrus). Full flavor. Not heavy on hops.

 Omme gang – abbey ale (dubble ale). Amber, ok head. Sour & sweet. Sour comes at the tail end.

 Samuel Smith’s organic chocolate stout – 5.0% abv. Very chocolate. Sweet and a bit caramel also. Smooth. Very much like eating chocolate caramels. Dark color. Moderate head. Tasty. Would like it more often. Kinda nutty flavor.

 Fresh Hop by Great Divide Brewing Co. Very hoppy. Semi clear Amber. Eh. I would prefer it in a 12oz bottle. citrus again, but very mild. Bitter. Too many beers for one night..

 St Barnsbus Abbey – abt 12. Yeast. Cloudy. Can’t tell color. Sour at the beginning finishing sweet. Full flavor. Pleasant.