Monk in the Trunk Organic Amber Ale

Brewed by Orlando Brewing
Style: Amber Ale
Orlando, Florida USA

Pours clear copper with creamy off white head. It has a very mild aroma hinting at lightly roasted malts and not much else. The flavor is much bolder than the aroma indicated. I get roasted malts, Belgian candi sugar and some caramel. I get some malt astringency that plays very nicely against the malty and candi sweetness and the dark fruity esters that follow which float notes of prunes and dates. Excellent medley of flavors that go well together.

Draft sample at brewhouse. Poured a clear copper color with a minimal fizzy white head that was mostly lasting and had good lacing. Moderate toasted malty citrus aroma. Medium body with slick texture. Medium bittersweet flavor with a light to medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration. This beer met my expectations for an organic brew.

On tap at Orlando Brewing. Pours a translucent golden amber with a creamy white lacing head. Aroma of butterscotch, caramel, something a little funky, Belgian yeast, tobacco and mixed citrus. Flavor of Belgian yeast, mixed citrus, spicy notes, Cheerios, some banana and lemon.

this should be of interest to those who enjoy this type of a brew. it is light to moderate in the spice and full of body. a bit too sweet with an alcohol soul to it i am a bit taken that it is only %5.5. all of these organic brews at this nice brewery are a lesson in good technique and knowledge of the product.

Draft. Pours a clear light amber color with a smallish off white head. Smells of light candy sugar, some mild citrus, and spice. The flavor was mild but not too bad. Had a little clove and cinnamon spice in there too give it something. Light malts and candy sugar seemed to round out the flavors. Almost tasted more like a Belgian tripel than an amber ale. Not great, drinkable though.

Name: Monk in a Trunk
Date: 11/17/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

clear copper, wispy off white head, streaks of drippy lace, sweet candy malt aroma with nice fruity esters and light spicyness, sweet caramel malt flavor, lots of bready character, fruity esters come in to add to the sweetness and then are enhanced by the sweetness, touch of spicyness add complexity rather than balance, a hint of tart citrus, light bitter finish,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.3/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **+/4

Sampled at the taproom. I guess I will be low rater on this. I just don’t see how you approach a 3 on this beer, much less go way over. But hey, different folks and all of that. I just personally didn’t care for it. Rust colored body with a very tiny formation of bubbles. No lacing. Probably should give it a 2 for appearance, but feeling generous. Nose of malts, floral hops, toasted grains and caramel. Also some weird spicy notes that I can’t quite pinpoint. Tastes pretty much the same, again I just can’t get with whatever that spice is they are using, tastes chemical and fake. Medium bodied, some fruit on the back of the palate. Finish is long, sweet notes and floral hops. Just not for me.

On draft at The Ravenous Pig. Clear, dark reddish-orange amber body. No head at all, just a wispy film with a small off-white edge. The aroma is light and floral, with honey, light toast and sweet golden raisons. The flavor shows honey and rose hips up front, accompanied by lightly toasted caramel malts, raisons, a dash of nutmeg, and a mild herbal hoppiness. Short, clean finish. Medium body. Smooth and pretty easy to drink. Resembles a Belgian golden ale much more than an amber. Very similar to Holy Mackerel, but better in all facets. Surprisingly decent.