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Magnolia Weekapaug Gruit


 Percentile 
52
overall
A Traditional Ale brewed by
Magnolia Pub and Brewery

San Francisco, California USA

bottling
unknown

on tap
available

Local Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
173.13/5.03.1/5.0Winter8.2%35.8Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard P  Stats

Commercial Description:
A long, long time ago, beer contained no hops. Instead, its malty sweetness was balanced with other herbs and it was known as “gruit”. The herbs used for bittering and flavor were usually a combination of wild rosemary, sweet gale and yarrow, herbs that became controversial in the Middle Ages due to their supposed stimulant and aphrodisiacal properties. Hops, known for more of a relaxing, sedative effect, replaced the gruit herbs by law during the 15th Century and modern beer was created, leaving even the name gruit behind except for the most obscure of tomes.

 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 lunaticharness (183), Roseville, Michigan, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/57/103/515/20

Mar 5, 2004  
cask, large spicy nutmeg ginger nose, dark brown amber body with mountain like rock head, pretty sweet and spicy with lots of allspice and cinnamon flavor, a bit mellow and watery but still very nice

McCracken (14), San Francisco, California, USA
3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/54/103/512/20
Mar 23, 2008  
Poured with a light sudsy head and a dark cherry, cloudy appearance. The aroma was really nice, focused on a combination of rosemary and all-spice like complexity. Apparently there’s some bog myrtle in here, though I’m not sure what the hell that smells like; might just be there for some storage stability. Obviously no hop aroma, but was really interesting and pleasant. Mouthfeel was maybe a little too one-dimensional as the lack of bitterness made it feel too plain and worty. Flavor was interesting like the aroma but not as drinkable as I imagined. I think with a little less spice character, it might have gone down easier. Nice to try this rare style, but not a session beer from the standpoint of drinkability and overall enjoyment. Cheers to Magnolia for taking a risk though.


 MI2CA (1101), Noblesville, Indiana, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/56/104/515/20
Feb 21, 2007  
4oz sample in a full size tulip at brewery - was called "Weekapaug Monster" on the board - Aroma gets a big score for uniqueness. Rosemary, plum candle, incense and other unique spices I can’t describe (so different - mugwort and yarrow??) Pours black with a small creamy head and great lacing. Flavor is spicy and malty but gets a bit tired after a while. Palate is bubbly and sticky. One of the most unique brews I’ve ever had.


 brstp (201), Princeton, New Jersey, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20
Feb 3, 2007  
On tap at Magnolia. Not quite black color, the bartendress didn’t pour any head. Spice/nutmeg aroma, taste of rosemary, thin, almost watery and palate-clearing mouthfeel, medium body. Like a Weird Al record -- fun to drink, won’t miss out if I never have it again.


 luvcasks (178), USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/517/20
Apr 16, 2006  
Aroma: Wonderful aroma of spices with cardamom and Nutmeg standing out Appearance: Reddish brown with almost nen-existant white head Flavor: Very intriguing blend of sweet and savory spices... some roasted malt flavors with nice soft malt background Palate: Light to medium light body, starts with sweet spices but finishes clean and slightly dry Overall: Again another reinforcement to confirm Magnolia as place to visit, Knowing that Gruits are not commmon, definitely a must try... an open mind and palatte is the best approach to this


 Sledge Jr (2726), Omaha, Nebraska, USA
2.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/102/56/102/511/20
Apr 7, 2006  
On tap at the brewpub. Has a very medicinal aroma. Reddish brown in color with a thin weak white head. Roasted and sweet flavored body. Has a complex finish consisting of a battery of aromatic hydrocarbon-producing spices. Definitely not for everyone.



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