Big Boss Surrender Monkey Farmhouse Ale

Brewed by Big Boss Brewing Company
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Raleigh, North Carolina USA

On tap at Tyler’s, Durham, NC. Dark, hazy amber with no head. Mild, wheaty nose, some banana. Wheaty flavor, lightly toasty, a touch of funkiness. Grows a bit more saison-like as it warms, with some spicy clove emerging. Odd, but a nice beer.

Draft at 42nd St Oyster Bar in Raleigh, NC. Poured a clear dark orange brown color. Darker than I had anticipated. Head was thin and off white. Aroma was of subdued clove and alcohol. There was also an occasional whiff stale beer, akin to what the last few drops in the bottom of a bottle smell like after a day or two at room temperature. Dry on the tongue. Flavor was clove/spice dominated with easily perceived alcohol and a bit of banana. There was also a pleasant dash of brown sugar at the end which asserted itself more as the beer warmed. Plenty of alcohol and clove survived well into the finish. Pretty good.

Draft at 42nd St. Oyster Bar in Raleigh - Poured a dark brown in color with a medium light tan head. Aroma is definitely Belgian with some spicy hops, bread dough and caramel/toffee malts. Flavor is heavy with the classic Belgian yeasts as well as lots of estery fruitiness... dark fruits mostly Slightly sweet,but not overpoweringly so. Alcohol was well hidden. Finishes with spicy hops that linger on the tongue. Nice, well worth repeating...

Pours a rustic amber brown color with a shy head of almond. Aromas do not scream "farmhouse" as the name suggests. Some spice and dark brown sugar, but not a wallop of funk in other farmhouse ales. Plum and raisin in the scent also. Flavors are qutie sweet and sticky. Lip smackingly sticky. Low carbonation gives this a thicker feel. Yeastiness is held in check. Peppery spice lingers in the aftertaste. An OK beer; gladI tried it, but also glad I didn’t try to stumble over myself getting over to the Triangle a while back to get this in a rare bottle. The wait didn’t kill me.

I really liked this one. Pours out a nice reddish brown color with a froathy beige head. aroma was sweet and fruity. Flavor was yeasty and sweet. overall this was a nice beer. I thoughly enjoyed it.

Brewsgrass 07** Poured amber with a tan head. lots of carbonation here. aromas of bananas and cloves and spices. Bananas and Belgian candy sugar on the flavor. finish was smei sweet and clinging.

On tap at Brewgrass 2007. Mostly clear light copper with a thin white head that disappears quickly. Light spice, pepper, a tad bit of diacetyl that doesn’t detract. Palate was a bit too thick. Malty start - caramel with more spice, a hint of some Belgian-type yeastiness. Pretty good.

I really liked this one. Pours out a nice reddish brown color with a froathy beige head. aroma was sweet and fruity. Flavor was yeasty and sweet. overall this was a nice beer. I thoughly enjoyed it.