Nimbus Old Monkeyshine

Brewed by Nimbus Brewing Company
Style: English Strong Ale
Tucson, Arizona USA

The deep, violet colored body shines with dark crimson as the transparent liquid is backlit. A dense, spongy, mocha colored head shows good retention, while swaths of fine, sugary lace cling to the glass. The aroma shows barely scorched caramel, with a bevy of dark fruits (figs, dates, raisons) encrusted in baked-on brown sugar. Hazelnuts and pecans lend a roasted nuttiness, while a hefty dose of lactose offers a calming creaminess. I even pick up light hints of smoke, chocolate, and coffee. Flavors mimic the nose, caramelized fruits and nuts balancing between sweet and earthen. A nice dose of spicy hops show on the finish, though the lactic mocha cream is there to douse the heat. Smooth and silky in the mouth, with moderate to low carbonation, this drinks surprisingly easily for an 8% brew. This reminds me of a poor man’s Avery Old Jubilation. I enjoyed this quite a bit, and I certainly think it is well under appreciated.

sweet, citrus and caramel; altogether caramel aroma; fairly slick and flat carbonation; average appearance; bittersweet, sugary, citrus flavor; the amount of alcohol IS hidden; i am not sure about this, but it might be trying to be too much--simplify.

Thanks Tonka! Pours a very dark reddish brown with a small creamy tan head. Sweet slightly burnt malt aroma with a decent amount of citrus hops, a bit fridgy. Darker flavor, burnt brown sugar with generous hopping, earthy. The 8% is pretty well hidden. Strong flavors that aren’t overpowering, a bit plasticy. Medium body that isn’t too full with fine sizzling carbonation. Pretty easy drinking for a beer with that burnt flavor.

12oz bottle from Miketd. Pours dark caramelly brown, thinnish tan head, good retention, specks of lace. Smells nice and malty and slightly dark fruity. Tastes sweet, caramelly malty with a finish of sweet dark fruits, raisins namely. Medium/thick body with good but subdued carbonation.

6-29-08 bottle shared with lb4lb thanks to Padrefan98
Semi clear amber brown. Smell is light lemon and yeast with a sweet malt touch. Flavor is chalky and nearly medicinal. Low to medium carbonation. Not great.

Bottle in trade from Padrefan98. Thanks!
Pours a rich semi cloudy dark maroon color. Smell is mild, smooth malt and almost peaty to me. Taste is smooth, malty caramel, and peaty subtle smokiness. Creamy body and low carbonation. Sessionable and easy drinking for the 8%, but not a flavor I cared for too much.

Pours a ruby hued amber color with a small tan sudsy head. Nose of grapefruit, dark fruits, hazlenuts, molasses, overall very mild. Initial taste is actually vinous with hazlenuts, touch of cocoa, dried fruits. Finishing with a mild bitterness hop balance. Alcohol is decently masked. Light bodied and smooth. Palate duration is average. Good head retention and spot lacing of the glass. This one didn’t really move me.

multiple bottles from random trades. thanks guys. Pours a very dark red with a medium sized off white head. Aroma was strong caramel malts and a bit of molasses. Flavor is up front hazelnut, with some caramel, chocolate, dried fruits, and nuts. Finishes mildly bitter, peaking around 3ish (fuck you joey). I hate hazelnut but I didn’t mind this that much.